11-21-2010, 01:52 PM
the passage comes from Book II
If memory serves Gallienus consolidated the cavalry units of the legions into separate bodies for use as strategic or operational reserves. Is Vegetius the only source for the existence of large cavalry units within legions? It seems to me the relatively insignificant 120 man cavalrymen of the classic imperial legions would have been worthwhile to consolidate, it would take the detachments of four legions to create an alae of the same size as the quingenary auxilia alae.
As for Vegetius's mistakes I haven't read a history book without them so I wouldn't throw out his legion organization for that alone.
If memory serves Gallienus consolidated the cavalry units of the legions into separate bodies for use as strategic or operational reserves. Is Vegetius the only source for the existence of large cavalry units within legions? It seems to me the relatively insignificant 120 man cavalrymen of the classic imperial legions would have been worthwhile to consolidate, it would take the detachments of four legions to create an alae of the same size as the quingenary auxilia alae.
As for Vegetius's mistakes I haven't read a history book without them so I wouldn't throw out his legion organization for that alone.
