Late Roman Army Grade/Rank List under Anastasius

[Longovicium]

OK, if we extrapolate from that - and using Pavlovic's thesis as a base - then the differentiation between the Veredarii and the Veredarii alli might be better understood as follows: Pavlovic argues that Vegetius' use of the term 'loricatus' in relation to the legionary cavalry is a technical one and which refers specifically to heavy cavalry or cataphracts. He argues that these 'loricati' were attached to the first cohort and were distinct from the other 'contati' legionary cavalry. (III.16/17)

So it seems that within the traditional legionary equites structure there existed two grades of cavalry: the normal contati and the more heavily armoured loricati or cataphracts (attached only to the first cohort). If we understand the Perge legion to have a traditional legionary cavalry component wherein each cavalry 'unit' is part of the century/cohort for administrative/pay purposes, then can we better understand the distinction between the Veredarii and the Veredarii Alii as reflecting a Vegetian differentiation between the standard cavalry of the legion and a special heavy cavalry component assigned to the elite first or double-strength cohort.

If so - and there are a lot of ifs here - these 50 elite Veredarii might allow us to better understand the infantry cohort/century structure. The earlier outline of the cavalry component which incorporated the Veredarii into the Veredarii Alii might be flawed. The Veredarii and the Veredarii Alii were in fact different classes of legionary cavalry . . .