06-29-2017, 02:38 PM
Nathan, I suspect that the pseudo-comitatenses legions which remained in the field armies of the Magisters and were not returned to the remit of the frontier Duxes occupied an odd hybrid ground in terms of rank and grades. While initially retaining the older structure of the pre-Diocletianic legions as time and events moved on the newer grades might have percolated into these legions and caused some confusion and hence exploitation. This might indeed be the underlying cause of the Edict: to fix that anomaly and regulate these legions in their status.
Interestingly enough, in reference to Hyginus and his 800 Pannonian Veredarii, Pavkovic, in his 1991 PhD thesis 'The Legionary Horsemen: An essay on the equites legionis and equites promoti' refers to the suggestion that these 800 light horse are in fact the legions' attached cavalry encamped as a single unit. He wonders if this might account for the fact that nowhere in Hyginus' model camp are any legionary cavalry. He also posits that the NDs equiti promoti are in fact legionary cavalry which were detached outwith the parent legion's province and so were cut adrift from the administrative link to their parent legion. Any detached equiti promoti which remained within the province never actually separated to form a distinct unit as they would still be attached to the admin staff of their legion. If this is true, then perhaps there were more equites promoti than is understood still attached to their legions? They only appear as distinct cavalry units once outside the provincial headquarters and are re-formed for pay and logistics reasons.
I am not too familiar with Hyginus but would these 800 'Pannonian' Veredarii equate to the legionary cavalry billeted in the Hyginian camp?
In terms of eastern legions incorporating light scouting and skirmishing 'Veredarii', certainly the Armenian/Pontic ones might have. Certainly, the ND lists a high proportion of cavalry units on the frontiers reflecting the need for fast, mobile, units over a wide variety of terrain. The fact that an Armenian or Iberian noble retinue enrols under Valens specifically as mounted, shielded, archers is telling, I think.
Interestingly enough, in reference to Hyginus and his 800 Pannonian Veredarii, Pavkovic, in his 1991 PhD thesis 'The Legionary Horsemen: An essay on the equites legionis and equites promoti' refers to the suggestion that these 800 light horse are in fact the legions' attached cavalry encamped as a single unit. He wonders if this might account for the fact that nowhere in Hyginus' model camp are any legionary cavalry. He also posits that the NDs equiti promoti are in fact legionary cavalry which were detached outwith the parent legion's province and so were cut adrift from the administrative link to their parent legion. Any detached equiti promoti which remained within the province never actually separated to form a distinct unit as they would still be attached to the admin staff of their legion. If this is true, then perhaps there were more equites promoti than is understood still attached to their legions? They only appear as distinct cavalry units once outside the provincial headquarters and are re-formed for pay and logistics reasons.
I am not too familiar with Hyginus but would these 800 'Pannonian' Veredarii equate to the legionary cavalry billeted in the Hyginian camp?
In terms of eastern legions incorporating light scouting and skirmishing 'Veredarii', certainly the Armenian/Pontic ones might have. Certainly, the ND lists a high proportion of cavalry units on the frontiers reflecting the need for fast, mobile, units over a wide variety of terrain. The fact that an Armenian or Iberian noble retinue enrols under Valens specifically as mounted, shielded, archers is telling, I think.
Francis Hagan
The Barcarii
The Barcarii
