Late Roman Unit Sizes

[Marcel Frederik Schwarze]

I Always had my doubts about the origins of the auxilia palatina being among the old auxilia cohorts

I know that some authors claim, falsely to my opinion, that some or many of the new styled aux. palatina were created out of the old cohors. (for example Goldsworthy, Roman Warfare, 2000, p.174). Against this theory we see that cohorts were still deployed by Aurelianus, at least 15 by Diocletianus and some others at a later time. For me a clear indication that this troops were still alive and had its place in the current hierarchy of the army.
Beside those old classical cohohrts, which were as you suggest indeed very romanized in our time, there were other units just called auxiliae, auxillares or auxiliarii. A chapter which is not too much explored. Also uncertain is the legal position of these additional auxiliares of the 3rd century. Traces of these (late?) 3rd-century auxiliaries are found at the Danube-ducats. Here they simply replaced the old cohorts. Also the Franki taken by Aurelianus to fight against Zenobia were neither cohorts nor foederati. The fact is, however, that they were a barbarian group like the old numeri. But as said, the vast maiority of the new auxiliae were surely deployed during and after the reign of Maximinus. But they were most likely no entire new troop.
We can be sure that some of those existing auxilia or numeri were taken immediately to the retinue of the emperor (or one of the co-emperors), others were promoted to a later date. Most of them were of course newly deployed and also taken immediately to the field army. Calling pseudocomitatenses to the field armies must be seen as a pure need out of necessity. I'm sure that there was also an official way for a legion (or one of its detachments) or an auxilium to get access to the field army.

In my understanding the epitheton "palatina" is referred to units marching close to the presence of the emperor in comitatu and praesenti. They were no new type of troop, just a preferred group within the mobile field army. We also wouldn't call the "legio palatina" a new type of troop. And we see that also as part of the frontier armies these auxilaries are listed first - the legions next.
The auxilia appears in an elevated position at the limes as part of the limitanei. First the barbarian cavalry is indicated in the Notitia - followed by the auxiliaries - then appears the legion. Thus we find the special position not only in the field armies.

Few Romans had the wish to serve in those barbarian troops called "auxilia" (Veg. II 3) - but even during the life time of Vegetius, the auxilia seems to be still of strong barbarian origin and character. Subordinated as well as allied peoples made troops available to the empire - often led by Princes or high nobles. This led to the fact that the best warriors often entered these units from the right side of the Rhine, following the example of their leader. The warriors who arrived there were already fully trained - certainly different from the Romans. On the other hand, formations such as the shield-wall were also known to the germans and gauls. Their ability and fighting power were feared by their opponents. And Constantius asked Julianus for providing 4 auxiliae for his persian campagin, showing the importance of those troops. Concerning the equipment and the used weapons I must say that I'm no specialist on this level and in this forum are dozens of people much better for giving some useful answers. It seems, however, that by the end of the fifth century all differences to other units regarding this question are largely eliminated.