11-02-2009, 09:01 AM
I'm reading the book, 'Nero's Killing Machine' all about the 14th legion. This has introduced me to the idea that each Roman legion had mass enlistment, with no further recruiting or replacements until the previous enlistment had served out their 20 years (except in cases of where a legion suffered enormous casualties). I have to say this surprised me a lot, when you view the historical attrition rates on more recent regiments there seems to be a lot more losses to disease, accidents and desertion–let alone battle casualties-than you would expect a legion could sustain over 20-years without new recruits.
The book calls this a new development in understanding the Roman Army. So my question is: is this mass-enlistment idea an accepted theory? Or even considered fact now? Or do others, like you, reject it.
Any thoughts appreciated (also I did run a search to see if this question already exists as a thread, but couldn't find one, so please nudge me in the right direction if that's not the case).
The book calls this a new development in understanding the Roman Army. So my question is: is this mass-enlistment idea an accepted theory? Or even considered fact now? Or do others, like you, reject it.
Any thoughts appreciated (also I did run a search to see if this question already exists as a thread, but couldn't find one, so please nudge me in the right direction if that's not the case).
