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What is the real number of men in a legion?
#1
I have heard many different ideas ranging from 800 to 30000. Which one is correct? <p></p><i></i>
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#2
The number does indeed vary for period and the academic you ask the question. For the early empire, you'll usually find the following numbers:<br>
60 centuries of 80 men: 4800<br>
(or: 54 centuries of 80 men, 5 centuries of 160 men for a double strength first cohort: 5120)<br>
Legionary equites: 120 men<br>
Mule-handlers, slaves and other various troops: several hundred.<br>
The total would in theory be between 5000 en 5500. However, it is well known that most units were often below (and sometimes above) paper strength. <p>Greets<br>
<br>
Jasper</p><i></i>
Greets!

Jasper Oorthuys
Webmaster & Editor, Ancient Warfare magazine
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#3
Jasper,<br>
<br>
Thank you for submitting your answer. I had no idea the numbers varied from age to age. None of the books I've ever read said that. They all just gave one base number and that was that.<br>
<br>
Thanks,<br>
<br>
P.G.<br>
<p></p><i></i>
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#4
Numbers in Republican times are different again about 120 per manipel and 60 for a triarii manipel up to 160 to 80 while this may vary as well.<br>
<br>
In late antiquity the troops which were still called legions had about half the strenght of the numbers Jasper gave.<br>
<br>
Dunno where you heard 30.000 but that's way too much. <p></p><i></i>
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[Micha F.]
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#5
remember that legions in real life often had less troops their theoretical strength. If i remember correctly the famous 10th legion of Caesar for example only had about 1000 men in the end. <p>-------------------------------------------------------<br>
A great flame follows a little spark.<br>
Dante Alighieri,The Divine Comedy<br>
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gr,
Jeroen Pelgrom
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#6
yes. The question is when they were refilled. Caesar obviously did not refill his legions all the time. I'm sure that was different during the imperial period: whether refillment or combining legions (gemina) at a time.<br>
<br>
I'd say unterstrenght is "standard" and full or overstrenght only for wars and such. <p></p><i></i>
RESTITVTOR LIBERTATIS ET ROMANAE RELIGIONIS

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[Micha F.]
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#7
30.000? Wow.<br>
But after Theodosius, a legion varied from 1000 at most to under 500, although there is some speculation involved in these numbers. <p>Valete,<br>
Valerius/Robert<br>
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Robert Vermaat
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
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