01-10-2013, 06:21 PM
Quote:Iazyges that went into Britain were not "prisoners of war." They were simply defeated and became feoderati.That's true of course but it was not as simple as that. One of the demands that went with such a defeat was that the defeated group had to provide troops that would fight in the Roman army. If you could manage to become a federate this was a good deal, because most federates could decide their own fate and 'only' had to provide manpower. But in the case of the Iazyges the troops provided were more than that, they were a heavy burden on the manpower of tribe (of course that was the intention) and could seriously weaken the defensive capability of those remaining at home.
But what Mike is saying that they were not moved to britain with their own gear, but rather they were kitted out by the Romans, which is also what I think happened.
Robert Vermaat
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)