08-06-2014, 07:27 AM
Quote:In the Later Roman Empire (300-500 AD) how did the legions (or cohorts or Auxiliary) move before deploying for combat?
That asked, specifically, did infantry units march or did they ride when advancing to contact?
Can someone give me a source where I can explore this more?
Infantry walked with heavy equipment in cart if possible. Civilians did march along (remember that soldier of Julian who brought back a girl from Antioch to Gaul? Turned out he was already married.. ). They no doubt used rivers (as mentioned here before) as well as ships.
You mention auxiliary, but you are of course thinking of federate troops or something like non-official forces. The Auxilia were the cream of the mobile field army by that time.
Robert Vermaat
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)