Rome versus Pyrrhus

[D B Campbell]

If the Romans were able to levy the precise number of men they needed on command exactly when they needed them, then this would make them unique in history.

If I understand Steven correctly, he believes, not only that the Romans levied precise numbers every year, but that these numbers developed and changed throughout history.

Personally, I cannot see such a system working under the Principate, with a professional army recruited all over the Mediterranean world. And I think it would even be doubtful for the Late Republic, when individual generals were recruiting on an ad hoc basis from their own geographical areas. But I am intrigued to learn how it can be proven even for the period of the early and middle Republic.

So far, all we have is a fairly woolly reference from Ovid, that every time a Roman counted to ten, he started over again. I'm sure there must be more ... isn't there? :?