05-02-2002, 07:19 PM
Salve,<br>
<br>
There could still have been considerable variation in army strength through changes in the strength of units. There is evidence for both understrength and overstrength units. By raising or lowering the number of men in individual formations army strength would have varied even if the number of units stayed the same. On the other hand creation of new units from detached troops seconded from existing formations may likewise disguise changes in army strength, increasing the number of military units while keeping the number of soldiers at a similar level. The auxiliary strength is thought to have been raised over the centuries to a greater degree than the legionary strength, but that estimate is based on the number of units attested in the sources rather than figures of manpower strength. Terms of service remained more or less the same, but troops are regularly recorded as serving beyond the legally stipulated norm for a variety of reasons, both voluntarily and enforced (eg hope of promotion or lack of funds to pay out retirement bonuses). Increases in legionary strength were in the principate usually connected with (projected) expanse of Roman territory, even if that did not always materialise. These could be the result of new levies, but in other cases such new legions were formed from detachments of existing units.<br>
<br>
Regards,<br>
<br>
Sander van Dorst <p></p><i></i>
<br>
There could still have been considerable variation in army strength through changes in the strength of units. There is evidence for both understrength and overstrength units. By raising or lowering the number of men in individual formations army strength would have varied even if the number of units stayed the same. On the other hand creation of new units from detached troops seconded from existing formations may likewise disguise changes in army strength, increasing the number of military units while keeping the number of soldiers at a similar level. The auxiliary strength is thought to have been raised over the centuries to a greater degree than the legionary strength, but that estimate is based on the number of units attested in the sources rather than figures of manpower strength. Terms of service remained more or less the same, but troops are regularly recorded as serving beyond the legally stipulated norm for a variety of reasons, both voluntarily and enforced (eg hope of promotion or lack of funds to pay out retirement bonuses). Increases in legionary strength were in the principate usually connected with (projected) expanse of Roman territory, even if that did not always materialise. These could be the result of new levies, but in other cases such new legions were formed from detachments of existing units.<br>
<br>
Regards,<br>
<br>
Sander van Dorst <p></p><i></i>
