12-19-2009, 12:12 AM
Quote:Vegetius uses such terms as principes and hastati, signifying to academia, Vegetius is employing sources from an early period. However, such terms merely designate the class.
To be fair, it is the detailed textual analysis of the ERM undertaken by Schenk* (followed by others) that strongly suggests (at the very least) Vegetius was employing early sources, rather than just the terminology. Vegetius has all too often been used by scholars as a sort of quantum mechanical Galdriel's mirror - they see in it what they want.
Mike Bishop
* Schenk, D. 1930: 'Flavius Vegetius Renatus; die Quellen der Epit. rei militaris', Klio, Beiheft 22