Ist Cohort Size

[Matthew Amt]

The problem with the "supernumerary" theory is that the clerks and engineers *did* fight, didn't they? Those were immunes posts, and immunes were only exempt from things like road building and other dirty jobs. As far as we know, they still did daily weapon training and were considered combat soldiers. After all, as they rose through the ranks,they'd be back in combat positions such as tessararius, cornicen, signifer, and even centurion. So I think the idea of non-combatants in the first cohort is a modern idea, and not a good one. (I *think*!)

Matthew