EUREKA - Roman army troops

[Matthew]

Well, it should be interesting to see how this all pans out. I'm not sure I agree with everything that has been said so far, but it's fun to play with numbers. For my part, I see Polybius' Legion breaking down as:

4,200 Man Standard Legion (sans Cavalry)

10 Maniples of 60 Triarii and 40 Velites (50 Men per Century)
10 Maniples of 120 Principes and 40 Velites (80 Men per Century)
10 Maniples of 120 Hastati and 40 Velites (80 Men per Century)

5,000 Man Reinforced Legion (sans Cavalry)

10 Maniples of 60 Triarii and 40 Velites (50 Men per Century)
10 Maniples of 160 Principes and 40 Velites (100 Men per Century)
10 Maniples of 160 Hastati and 40 Velites (100 Men per Century)

At some point the numbers of Triarii must have been increased. Possibly to 120, but just as possibly to 160. In the former case, the post Marian 480 Man Cohort would be nominally comprised of three Maniples of 120 Triarii, 120 Principes, 120 Hastati, with 120 Velites divided into each Century of 60 Men. In the latter case, the Cohort would be nominally comprised of three Maniples of 160 Triarii, 160 Principes and 160 Hastati, with 120 Velites 'floating around' as a concept that could increase the Cohort to 600 Men or be completely ignored.

I would love to see evidence that could lend such suppositions credence or prove them completely wrong, so I look forward to any comprehensive book on the subject.

Matthew James Stanham