09-23-2008, 04:16 PM
With constant raiding by barbarians across the Empire the legions responded by being shrunk down from massive formations of 5,000 men to smaller 1,000 men units. These units allowed for more rapid response and could be spread out over a larger area to deal with problems.
Was this ever done in the eastern portion of the Empire or was it something strictly done to the legions along the border in the north and west where raiding was a major issue.
It seems to me that this change while it helps when fighting barbarians would have no benefit when facing the Sassanid Persians and would have allt he disadvantages of too many officers and lack of large unit cohesion if used against a large amy like the Persians would be fielding.
Was this ever done in the eastern portion of the Empire or was it something strictly done to the legions along the border in the north and west where raiding was a major issue.
It seems to me that this change while it helps when fighting barbarians would have no benefit when facing the Sassanid Persians and would have allt he disadvantages of too many officers and lack of large unit cohesion if used against a large amy like the Persians would be fielding.
Timothy Hanna
