12-13-2009, 03:21 AM
I would like to offer my apologies to one and all on this forum about my comment there is no double first cohort. For the record, I wish to withdraw my previous comment and state a double first cohort does exist, but not on the battlefield which was my focus. The first cohort exist in the camp structure, and the extra men are time expired veterans. I had completely forgotten about them. Veteran cohorts can be found in the Servian legion and their role is to act as camp guards. Veteran cohorts are very common in Tacitus and Paterculus, but I completely forgot to investigate whether this doctrine was still being applied, due as I stated, being singly focused on the battlefield legion. When on the battlefield, a double first cohort does not and cannot fit the legion’s battlefield command structure. So I guess I was partially right, but still it’s is an oversight that should not have happened. However, every cloud has a silver lining and it now puts more light on Vegetius’ legion.
Again, my sincerest apology.
Again, my sincerest apology.