02-23-2013, 05:00 AM
Why do you assume the Greuthungi were all cavalry?
The total strength of the Roman field armies comes out to about 20% cavalry, 80% infantry. But given the presence of the scolae, the need to detach units to garrison cities, etc. the actual proportion at Hadrianopolis may exceed 30% cavalry.
The Goths were refugees, basically, joined by rebel miners, rebel Roman soldiers, and a limited number of mercenaries. The Goths came from an agricultural society, probably with pastoral elements, but the situation isn't right for creating large cavalry forces.
So the Roman ratio of 20% overall is a good upper limit to the Gothic ratio. And the Roman armies probably outnumbered the Goths.
The total strength of the Roman field armies comes out to about 20% cavalry, 80% infantry. But given the presence of the scolae, the need to detach units to garrison cities, etc. the actual proportion at Hadrianopolis may exceed 30% cavalry.
The Goths were refugees, basically, joined by rebel miners, rebel Roman soldiers, and a limited number of mercenaries. The Goths came from an agricultural society, probably with pastoral elements, but the situation isn't right for creating large cavalry forces.
So the Roman ratio of 20% overall is a good upper limit to the Gothic ratio. And the Roman armies probably outnumbered the Goths.
