03-22-2014, 01:54 AM
Evan wrote:
As for the "Vegetian Legion." You make some interesting points Steven, but IMO direct evidence suggests otherwise.
I’m note sure what points I made that you are referring to you, so I can’t comment.
Evan wrote:
Let's ignore my theory of Juniores and Seniores, and say that (using the Justinian Papyrus and Sozomen) a Numerus numbers only 600 men. Well, in that case the 5 regiments in Macezel's force would number 3000 men, and the 2 Legions would number 1000 each; not an implausible number.
It’s plausible, but it is also just playing with numbers. 4800 men are plausible as is 5400 rounded down to 5000 men. In the end none of them are evidence. I have used Macezel’s force to show the reader that a legion was small in number, which is all I can milk from it.
Evan wrote:
The Legions that marched down from Illyria though, would number 1350 men each. That is a significantly larger number: could they have also numbered 1000 men, but included Legionary cavalry of some sort?
I once discussed on this forum that cavalry sizes are governed by the ratio of infantry in a legion. Well this bought some flack from members getting overly excited because it implied that where the legion went the cavalry followed, which is not the case. So I’ve been careful not to open old wounds. However, for the Late Roman army I am using the infantry to cavalry ratio. When Nathan posted about the “Columbia 7 188,” papyrus, which I never knew about, I had my confirmation. I owe Nathan a big debt of gratitude for that posting.
Evan wrote:
And of course there is also the issue of John Lydus' Legions still. Are they 1500 each?
First does Lydus say they are a legion? That would make it a legion of missile troops…..hmmm, somehow I don’t think so.
Evan wrote:
750 each? Is it a Numerus of Mattiarii numbering 600 and a Legion of Lanciarii numbering 900?
If you halve 750 you get 375, which cannot be halved again without creating a fraction. 900 halved equals 450, which again can be halved to 225 but that is the last time it can be halved. As an experiment look at how many time you can half 1200 – 600 – 300 – 150 – 75. That is true Roman military mathematics.
As for the "Vegetian Legion." You make some interesting points Steven, but IMO direct evidence suggests otherwise.
I’m note sure what points I made that you are referring to you, so I can’t comment.
Evan wrote:
Let's ignore my theory of Juniores and Seniores, and say that (using the Justinian Papyrus and Sozomen) a Numerus numbers only 600 men. Well, in that case the 5 regiments in Macezel's force would number 3000 men, and the 2 Legions would number 1000 each; not an implausible number.
It’s plausible, but it is also just playing with numbers. 4800 men are plausible as is 5400 rounded down to 5000 men. In the end none of them are evidence. I have used Macezel’s force to show the reader that a legion was small in number, which is all I can milk from it.
Evan wrote:
The Legions that marched down from Illyria though, would number 1350 men each. That is a significantly larger number: could they have also numbered 1000 men, but included Legionary cavalry of some sort?
I once discussed on this forum that cavalry sizes are governed by the ratio of infantry in a legion. Well this bought some flack from members getting overly excited because it implied that where the legion went the cavalry followed, which is not the case. So I’ve been careful not to open old wounds. However, for the Late Roman army I am using the infantry to cavalry ratio. When Nathan posted about the “Columbia 7 188,” papyrus, which I never knew about, I had my confirmation. I owe Nathan a big debt of gratitude for that posting.
Evan wrote:
And of course there is also the issue of John Lydus' Legions still. Are they 1500 each?
First does Lydus say they are a legion? That would make it a legion of missile troops…..hmmm, somehow I don’t think so.
Evan wrote:
750 each? Is it a Numerus of Mattiarii numbering 600 and a Legion of Lanciarii numbering 900?
If you halve 750 you get 375, which cannot be halved again without creating a fraction. 900 halved equals 450, which again can be halved to 225 but that is the last time it can be halved. As an experiment look at how many time you can half 1200 – 600 – 300 – 150 – 75. That is true Roman military mathematics.
