Roman Legion in late Antiquity

[sonic]

Overall, however, the point is true - we have little or no information. So, is it not reasonable to theorize a reasonable construct and then see if it stands. It may not, it may have holes, but is it wrong to try? :errr:

In some cases, yes, it is possible to theorize and it needs to be done. The only problem is that the information is so sparse that several theories can probably all be postulated: and all may 'stand'.

The old (now outmoded) claim was that the Roman army of the fourth century onwards was a monolithic structure with all units of a given type adhering to a strict internal format according to 'government' guidelines. However, the swift turnover of emperors and the divergent needs of the different regions probably meant that units in different areas had a different composition.

In addition, it is possible that the reforms promulgated by, for example, Diocletian, were not fully implemented. Or they might have been fully implemented, but the archaoeological and historical records of these orders has been lost and so what actually happened is poorly understood.

Further, the major problem may be that most of the surviving sources may represent government beliefs as to what should be happening. In the field, and so reflected in the archaeology, the truth may have been somewhat different.

As to why would the army change over the previous 600 years when it had been so successful and it therefore had no need to, the nature of the opposition had changed, and the empire had gone from largely offensive, terrritory-grabbing campaigns, to campaigns aimed at maintaining the current emperor in power against both internal and external opposition. As a result, he army itself would change in response.

Finally, the economic problems of the third century onwards demanded that the army change to armour and equipment that was cheaper to make and almost, if not as, effective as earlier styles. The change in equipment may have forced a change in tactics and hence a change in unit structure in different parts of the Empire.

Just a few suggestions. :-)