08-27-2001, 09:28 AM
Salve,<br>
<br>
There is extremely limited evidence available for the appearance of the rebel forces. There would have been differences in equipment levels between the various groups, for some were bandits (a term, then as now, applied to guerilla forces as well as brigands) which had more experience in fighting while others were normal civilians. There are descriptions of the use of spears, javelins, swords, shields, bows, slings, catapults and armour, but very little representations of these or actual remains that can give a clue to their type.The use of Roman equipment by part of the rebels is however very likely since the rebels occupied several sites which were previously held by Roman garrisons and the defeat of Cestius must have added more Roman armaments to the rebel arsenal. Roman organisation and tactics were also to some extent copied. Josephus at least describes how he tried to model the forces under his command before his defection to the Romans on the Roman pattern. Nevertheless it is unsure to what extent this copying of Roman fighting methods also applied to other rebel factions.<br>
<br>
Regards,<br>
<br>
Sander van Dorst <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub45.ezboard.com/bromanarmytalk.showLocalUserPublicProfile?login=sandervandorst>Sander van Dorst</A> at: 8/27/01 11:35:14 am<br></i>
<br>
There is extremely limited evidence available for the appearance of the rebel forces. There would have been differences in equipment levels between the various groups, for some were bandits (a term, then as now, applied to guerilla forces as well as brigands) which had more experience in fighting while others were normal civilians. There are descriptions of the use of spears, javelins, swords, shields, bows, slings, catapults and armour, but very little representations of these or actual remains that can give a clue to their type.The use of Roman equipment by part of the rebels is however very likely since the rebels occupied several sites which were previously held by Roman garrisons and the defeat of Cestius must have added more Roman armaments to the rebel arsenal. Roman organisation and tactics were also to some extent copied. Josephus at least describes how he tried to model the forces under his command before his defection to the Romans on the Roman pattern. Nevertheless it is unsure to what extent this copying of Roman fighting methods also applied to other rebel factions.<br>
<br>
Regards,<br>
<br>
Sander van Dorst <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub45.ezboard.com/bromanarmytalk.showLocalUserPublicProfile?login=sandervandorst>Sander van Dorst</A> at: 8/27/01 11:35:14 am<br></i>
