08-25-2001, 02:57 PM
Avete!<br>
When I first saw your figure of 25 percent my reaction was that it was way too high. But the pool being discussed is NOT the total population but only adult male citizens. So women, children, foreigners, and slaves aren't counted. Makes it a much more manageable figure, and quite possible, I'd say. Some of those wars bled them white, but yes, they kept coming back.<br>
<br>
I agree that the percentage under arms in the Empire would generally be smaller, since provincial auxiliaries formed half the army, and provincial citizens began to fill the legions.<br>
<br>
And remember that when Augustus disbanded 30-odd legions, some of the troops he discharged were not citizens and had been illegally enlisted. Other units were probably way understrength.<br>
<br>
Valete,<br>
Matthew/Quintus <p></p><i></i>
When I first saw your figure of 25 percent my reaction was that it was way too high. But the pool being discussed is NOT the total population but only adult male citizens. So women, children, foreigners, and slaves aren't counted. Makes it a much more manageable figure, and quite possible, I'd say. Some of those wars bled them white, but yes, they kept coming back.<br>
<br>
I agree that the percentage under arms in the Empire would generally be smaller, since provincial auxiliaries formed half the army, and provincial citizens began to fill the legions.<br>
<br>
And remember that when Augustus disbanded 30-odd legions, some of the troops he discharged were not citizens and had been illegally enlisted. Other units were probably way understrength.<br>
<br>
Valete,<br>
Matthew/Quintus <p></p><i></i>
Matthew Amt (Quintus)
Legio XX, USA
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.larp.com/legioxx/">http://www.larp.com/legioxx/
Legio XX, USA
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.larp.com/legioxx/">http://www.larp.com/legioxx/
