Late Roman Unit Sizes

[Michael Kerr]

I don't know much about the late Roman Army and its makeup and I must admit I get confused with the Late Roman Army naming conventions ( I am a bit more of a 1st to 2nd century follower) but I was reading on JSTOR a paper written in 1923 by E.C. Nischer titled The Reforms of Diocletian and Constantine and their Modifications up to the time of the Notitia Dignitatum. I know it is probably a bit dated but I thought I would post a few of his insights. I have no idea if his theories still hold water though.
Firstly he relates how Diocletian was the last emperor who believed in the larger legions.

In order to understand how Constantine proceeded in forming the field-army, we must first of all attempt to reconstruct from the data given in the Notitia the constitution of that army at the time when it was brought into being. The field-army consisted of regiments of the guard (palatini) and regiments of the line (comitatenses). These differed only in status, not in the manner in which they were employed. The palatini were divided into vexillationes, legiones and auxilia, the comitatenses into vexillationes and legiones. The vexillationes were cavalry regiments 500 strong; the legiones were infantry regiments I,ooo strong (each two battalions of 500); the auxilia were independent infantry battalions of 500 men each.

Secondly below is his theory on Seniores and Iuniores.

When the field army was first constituted each half of the empire contained only a single unit bearing the name to which the title was attached. When similarly named units were subsequently raised in the same half of the Empire, the latter were distinguished as "iunores" while the original units naturally became "seniores".

I apologise if this is all "old hat" in regards to Late Roman Army. :?:

Regards
Michael Kerr