03-28-2014, 01:01 PM
Nathan wrote:
But the auxilia were regular infantry, and surely would have been included in the main figure for the army? Actually, I'd say the auxiliaries of any date would have been so included - they probably formed around 50% of earlier principiate forces after all.
Tacitus for the battle of Mons Grapius lists the auxiliary separately from the Romans, which are described as legion vexillations. Josephus lists auxiliaries from legionaries. Hyginus list auxiliaries separately from Romans.
Nathan wrote:
However, army size estimates, particularly by historians centuries apart, tend to be notably inexact and often wildly different - we just don't know where the writers were getting their information from.
Of the four examples of Procopius army for 363 AD, three writers each have a difference of 2000 men, (16,000 men, then 18,000 men and 20,000 men). Ammianus has a difference of from 14,000 to 10,000 men difference). It all depends on the author and his style. Livy and Polybius have differing army sizes for Cannae as does Plutarch. Plutarch has included all the officers and supernumeraries, while Polybius omits them.
Michael wrote:
Despite being an avid crossworder, I still can't quite grasp this. Please explain a little more fully.
You will find the answer to your question in the section “The Tribes, The Elements & Pythagoras.” After that turn to the chapter “The Roman Army” to see how cohorts and maniples are created.
But the auxilia were regular infantry, and surely would have been included in the main figure for the army? Actually, I'd say the auxiliaries of any date would have been so included - they probably formed around 50% of earlier principiate forces after all.
Tacitus for the battle of Mons Grapius lists the auxiliary separately from the Romans, which are described as legion vexillations. Josephus lists auxiliaries from legionaries. Hyginus list auxiliaries separately from Romans.
Nathan wrote:
However, army size estimates, particularly by historians centuries apart, tend to be notably inexact and often wildly different - we just don't know where the writers were getting their information from.
Of the four examples of Procopius army for 363 AD, three writers each have a difference of 2000 men, (16,000 men, then 18,000 men and 20,000 men). Ammianus has a difference of from 14,000 to 10,000 men difference). It all depends on the author and his style. Livy and Polybius have differing army sizes for Cannae as does Plutarch. Plutarch has included all the officers and supernumeraries, while Polybius omits them.
Michael wrote:
Despite being an avid crossworder, I still can't quite grasp this. Please explain a little more fully.
You will find the answer to your question in the section “The Tribes, The Elements & Pythagoras.” After that turn to the chapter “The Roman Army” to see how cohorts and maniples are created.
