09-23-2008, 11:04 AM
From first principles you cannot have comitatenses, a term which derives from "comites" meaning "companions," without a Roman emperor for the soldiers to be companions of. Therfore, after Romulus Augustulus and Julius Nepos, there were no comitatenses as such in the West. The east is more difficult but the reorganisation of the army into the theme system (ca. 640-680) must spell the end of any formal comitatenses status as the Tagmata took over their function, both as the soldiers of central field army(ies) and companions in arms of emperors.
We know that the descendants of Roman provincials served in Frankish armies, late Visigothic armies etc. but this is a separate matter.
We know that the descendants of Roman provincials served in Frankish armies, late Visigothic armies etc. but this is a separate matter.
Martin
Fac me cocleario vomere!
Fac me cocleario vomere!
