08-29-2013, 08:25 PM
When it comes to thinking of Guard Duty - there is one 'real' piece of evidence we could use.....
That one of the uses of the Extraordinarii was to guard the camp whilst the army was fighting. If so, then by analogy.....
If the Extraordinarii are of the 'classic' (Polybian) size and, just considering the infantry (assuming the cavalry component is far too important to leave in camp) element, then there is sufficient for each 120 man Maniple (pair of centuries of Hvy Inf) to hold each wall segment (8 in total), with the velites/Lt Inf to hold the gates (as detailed) and the Trarii as reserve (and looking after he cavalry horses at night as also detailed).
With the Extraordinarii infantry representing 1/10th of the army in the earlier period, then that could mean Guard duty only once every 10th night (if the analogy holds). Once every 5th night if in two watches. It certainly doesn't seem unreasonable.
Depending on the size of the unit/army, then Guard Duty by centuries/cohorts makes a lot of sense from a command and control perspective.
I will note that, however unbelievable I find it, ps-Hyginus states that 1/5th of a century is always on guard. With tents being used to 'hot-bunk' (which is why I find it so implausible).
That one of the uses of the Extraordinarii was to guard the camp whilst the army was fighting. If so, then by analogy.....
If the Extraordinarii are of the 'classic' (Polybian) size and, just considering the infantry (assuming the cavalry component is far too important to leave in camp) element, then there is sufficient for each 120 man Maniple (pair of centuries of Hvy Inf) to hold each wall segment (8 in total), with the velites/Lt Inf to hold the gates (as detailed) and the Trarii as reserve (and looking after he cavalry horses at night as also detailed).
With the Extraordinarii infantry representing 1/10th of the army in the earlier period, then that could mean Guard duty only once every 10th night (if the analogy holds). Once every 5th night if in two watches. It certainly doesn't seem unreasonable.
Depending on the size of the unit/army, then Guard Duty by centuries/cohorts makes a lot of sense from a command and control perspective.
I will note that, however unbelievable I find it, ps-Hyginus states that 1/5th of a century is always on guard. With tents being used to 'hot-bunk' (which is why I find it so implausible).
