04-09-2004, 01:51 AM
Avete!<br>
Crispus, check out John Peddie's book, The Roman War Machine. He probably answers all the questions you have about logistics, plus a few you haven't thought of yet. I think the general conclusion is that an army carried the vast majority of its food with it whenever possible. Very little would be foraged except fodder, firewood, and water. Roman armies were so large in comparison to the local population that counting on the next village to supply your troops was often a good way to starve. Certainly they'd pick up fresh fruits and veggies whenever possible, but often these were sold to the men by camp followers, or at market fairs set up by whatever towns the army was passing (or camping near).<br>
<br>
Caius, Crispus is right that troops were issued grain, which they ground on little stone hand mills, one per contubernium (8-man tent unit). They might alternatively be issued flour or hardtack (bucellatum)--there's a recipe on the Mess Gear page of the Legio XX site,<br>
<br>
www.larp.com/legioxx/messgear.html<br>
<br>
Salted meat or bacon were also issued, plus lentils or dried beans, oil, and cheese.<br>
<br>
Clean your plate, or no dessert! Valete,<br>
<br>
Matthew/Quintus <p></p><i></i>
Crispus, check out John Peddie's book, The Roman War Machine. He probably answers all the questions you have about logistics, plus a few you haven't thought of yet. I think the general conclusion is that an army carried the vast majority of its food with it whenever possible. Very little would be foraged except fodder, firewood, and water. Roman armies were so large in comparison to the local population that counting on the next village to supply your troops was often a good way to starve. Certainly they'd pick up fresh fruits and veggies whenever possible, but often these were sold to the men by camp followers, or at market fairs set up by whatever towns the army was passing (or camping near).<br>
<br>
Caius, Crispus is right that troops were issued grain, which they ground on little stone hand mills, one per contubernium (8-man tent unit). They might alternatively be issued flour or hardtack (bucellatum)--there's a recipe on the Mess Gear page of the Legio XX site,<br>
<br>
www.larp.com/legioxx/messgear.html<br>
<br>
Salted meat or bacon were also issued, plus lentils or dried beans, oil, and cheese.<br>
<br>
Clean your plate, or no dessert! Valete,<br>
<br>
Matthew/Quintus <p></p><i></i>