08-05-2013, 03:23 PM
[Not wishing to de-rail the late legions thread - and if Mods choose to move any relevant posts to here.....]
Theory 1:
That, unless there is actual contrary evidence (like my near name-sake Hyginus, or Vegetius' revitalised legion construct), I might theorize that the standard full strength century consisted of 80 fighting men and probably 3 additions (there could be more, perhaps) of Centurion, Optio and Signifer. That this could have existed throughout the period and that a century is often mis-represented as 100 men, simply because of the term.
and
Theory 1a:
That the 80 men were split 60/20 where the 20 were differently armed: originally being the velites of the Polybian era and then, probably hasta-armed (effectively replacing the triarii-style) in the Later Republic (appearing variously as antesignanii or light-armed troops); as the hasta-armed of Josephus; and later as lanciarii. The 'lighter armed' legionary element always being present in one form or other.
Ready, steady......attack!
Theory 1:
That, unless there is actual contrary evidence (like my near name-sake Hyginus, or Vegetius' revitalised legion construct), I might theorize that the standard full strength century consisted of 80 fighting men and probably 3 additions (there could be more, perhaps) of Centurion, Optio and Signifer. That this could have existed throughout the period and that a century is often mis-represented as 100 men, simply because of the term.
and
Theory 1a:
That the 80 men were split 60/20 where the 20 were differently armed: originally being the velites of the Polybian era and then, probably hasta-armed (effectively replacing the triarii-style) in the Later Republic (appearing variously as antesignanii or light-armed troops); as the hasta-armed of Josephus; and later as lanciarii. The 'lighter armed' legionary element always being present in one form or other.
Ready, steady......attack!
