Late Roman Army Grade/Rank List under Anastasius

[Nathan Ross]

Ala                     24 squadrons

Numerus            16 squadrons

Equites              12 squadrons

Cuneus                8 squadrons

Vexillation           6 squadrons

 

The cavalry numbers are based on the Pythagorean cosmos, which uses the ratio 3/2 (the perfect fifth) and 4/3 (the perfect fourth).

But in what way does this relate to the information in the Perge lists?

A unit of Equites was called a Numerus Equitum or a Vexillatio Equitum - the terms were synonymous. So these are not different-sized units.

A cuneus may be different again, but the only clear distinction is between the old-style ala (still known in the limitanei) and the new-style vexillatio (aka numerus equitum). Lydus, as you know, gives an ala 600 men and a vexillation 500 men (de mag 1.46) - which does not help us much!