Update on the Spatha and Gladius fighting techniques!

[Mitra]

Ave Damianus

Triari are known under the Diocletian regn and Hastati and the Principes are attested in the late Roman time.

Sources? Inscriptions or ancients author? In phi5 and latin library Vegetius is the only late latin author speaking of triarii "quos
antiqui triarios appellabant" (and in the principate both Livius and Frontinus use it making reference to republican era). Yes Ammianus use Hastati and Curtius Rufus also but the first in the sense of vexillipherus the last for sarissophorus.

I read Vegetius in a different way. This author of the end of the 4th century don't separate the early sources to this times. He is inspired by the contemporary world in which he lives and really adapt ancient sources in the reality of the Roman army of theodosian times. So he can better be understood of his reader.

This is possible interpretation of book introduction. Vegetius affirm of take from antiqui scriptores notions Theodosius sua sponte actuates "pro reipublicae salute". The last affirmation must be demonstrated to be historically true and not a literary servilism's act by a palace bureaucrat. So we return to the sources.