08-24-2001, 03:19 PM
In Charles Freeman's book "Egypt, Greece and Rome" (recommended by the Classics Dept at Virginia Tech) he says of republican Rome "No pre-industrial society has ever mobilized such a high percentage of its male population in war over such a long period of time as Rome. It is estimated that between 9 and 16 % of male citizens in normal times and 25% at times of crisis could be supported in her armies. (Napoleon's France may have equalled this record but only for a few years.)<br>
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How was this amount estimated? How correct was it? It would seem like with a disaster like Cannae that it would be a permanent crippling if they lost those percentages in the field, but they kept bouncing back. Certainly they didn't have 25% of the male citizens under arms during the Imperial period, or perhaps the late republic as well? <p>Aulus<br>
Legio XX
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How was this amount estimated? How correct was it? It would seem like with a disaster like Cannae that it would be a permanent crippling if they lost those percentages in the field, but they kept bouncing back. Certainly they didn't have 25% of the male citizens under arms during the Imperial period, or perhaps the late republic as well? <p>Aulus<br>
Legio XX
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Richard Campbell
Legio XX - Alexandria, Virginia
RAT member #6?
Legio XX - Alexandria, Virginia
RAT member #6?
