09-09-2019, 01:47 PM
Michael wrote:
But on the other hand, if the only alternative is a blind acceptance of all that is contained in Polybius` account of the campaign
Then that would make you a conformist. You become a member of the Polybius club, and all new members get a free drink. You would be loved by the blind faithful, and you can produce the same hogwash as the blind faithful. Another bonus is and it’s the easiest road to travel
Michael wrote:
Yes, I had noticed that link too between Minucius Thermus and Alimentus` family after you had recommended me to look at the Gallic war.
Oh there is more than just a name to look at. Livy’s source for 192 BC is looking like Alimentus. Notice how Minucius Thermus is allocated 9,000 infantry (4,000 Romans and 5,000 allied). Notice how Minucius Thermus’ army defeats and kills 9,000 Ligurians. The source is Alimentus; he uses Roman figures for the enemy, time and time again. Now those 9,000 Roman and allied infantry were not allocated to Minucius Thermus. All should be allocated to Atilius for the forthcoming campaign against Nabis of Sparta which is levying naval legions. The levy of 192 BC, like many other campaigns from 192 BC to 168 BC, has too many cooks. For 192 BC, Alimentus was the original source, then Polybius comes along, used Alimentus, and bingo, you now have a pig’s breakfast. Alimentus used non rounded figures, Polybius rounded them, and then subtracts rounded totals and subtotals from Alimentus’ non rounded figures. And that is why you get figures of a consul with 20,000 allied infantry and 800 allied cavalry, or 15,000 allied infantry and 500 allied cavalry etc.etc.
Atilius’ 1,000 Romans and 2,000 allied infantry have been subtracted from Minucius Thermus, thereby leaving Minucius Thermus with 4,000 Romans and 5,000 allied infantry. The 2,000 allied infantry allocated to Atilius should be deducted from Minucius Thermus 5,000 allied infantry. This type of mathematical mistake is Polybius’ trademark. Atilius plus Minucius Thermus’ infantry belong to naval legions. Numbers give it away.
So having references to Alimentus being around for a given year is a godsend.
But on the other hand, if the only alternative is a blind acceptance of all that is contained in Polybius` account of the campaign
Then that would make you a conformist. You become a member of the Polybius club, and all new members get a free drink. You would be loved by the blind faithful, and you can produce the same hogwash as the blind faithful. Another bonus is and it’s the easiest road to travel
Michael wrote:
Yes, I had noticed that link too between Minucius Thermus and Alimentus` family after you had recommended me to look at the Gallic war.
Oh there is more than just a name to look at. Livy’s source for 192 BC is looking like Alimentus. Notice how Minucius Thermus is allocated 9,000 infantry (4,000 Romans and 5,000 allied). Notice how Minucius Thermus’ army defeats and kills 9,000 Ligurians. The source is Alimentus; he uses Roman figures for the enemy, time and time again. Now those 9,000 Roman and allied infantry were not allocated to Minucius Thermus. All should be allocated to Atilius for the forthcoming campaign against Nabis of Sparta which is levying naval legions. The levy of 192 BC, like many other campaigns from 192 BC to 168 BC, has too many cooks. For 192 BC, Alimentus was the original source, then Polybius comes along, used Alimentus, and bingo, you now have a pig’s breakfast. Alimentus used non rounded figures, Polybius rounded them, and then subtracts rounded totals and subtotals from Alimentus’ non rounded figures. And that is why you get figures of a consul with 20,000 allied infantry and 800 allied cavalry, or 15,000 allied infantry and 500 allied cavalry etc.etc.
Atilius’ 1,000 Romans and 2,000 allied infantry have been subtracted from Minucius Thermus, thereby leaving Minucius Thermus with 4,000 Romans and 5,000 allied infantry. The 2,000 allied infantry allocated to Atilius should be deducted from Minucius Thermus 5,000 allied infantry. This type of mathematical mistake is Polybius’ trademark. Atilius plus Minucius Thermus’ infantry belong to naval legions. Numbers give it away.
So having references to Alimentus being around for a given year is a godsend.
