03-29-2014, 12:15 AM
Nathan wrote:
At least, as far as know - there may well be instances that demonstrate otherwise, but you'd have to find them!
Taking Ammianus’ figure of 30,000 men, the other three figures of 16,000 men, 18000 men, and 20,000 men does indicate all three writers are only focusing on a part of the army they believe is relevant. Let me change my wording to the figures of 16,000 to 20,000 men consist of the auxiliaries such as the palatine auxiliaries you mention and the Romans, and the additional 10,000 are barbarians of which the other three authors have omitted. There are some similarities here to the battle of Pharsalus. The numbers given for Caesar’s infantry are:
Appian about 22000
Caesar 22000
Eutropius 30000
Orosius 30000
Plutarch 22000
For the battle of Pharsalus Appian writes that “Since many writers differ as to Caesar’s army, …but do not much make account of the allied forces or record them exactly, regarding them as mere foreigners and as contributing little to the issue of the day.”
Have Orosius and Eutroius included the foreigners? It could be that Ammianus includes the barbarians and the other three authors for Procopius’ army do not. In the end the difference between three of the authors is a consistent 2000 men, and that alone in itself needs exploring. These sorts of mathematical patterns will always attract my interest.
Evan wrote:
Umm... Auxiliaries? This is the 4th century, not the 1st.
As you have been informed, and as Ammianus and Vegetius use the term auxiliary, I also will be using the term auxiliary…full stop.
At least, as far as know - there may well be instances that demonstrate otherwise, but you'd have to find them!
Taking Ammianus’ figure of 30,000 men, the other three figures of 16,000 men, 18000 men, and 20,000 men does indicate all three writers are only focusing on a part of the army they believe is relevant. Let me change my wording to the figures of 16,000 to 20,000 men consist of the auxiliaries such as the palatine auxiliaries you mention and the Romans, and the additional 10,000 are barbarians of which the other three authors have omitted. There are some similarities here to the battle of Pharsalus. The numbers given for Caesar’s infantry are:
Appian about 22000
Caesar 22000
Eutropius 30000
Orosius 30000
Plutarch 22000
For the battle of Pharsalus Appian writes that “Since many writers differ as to Caesar’s army, …but do not much make account of the allied forces or record them exactly, regarding them as mere foreigners and as contributing little to the issue of the day.”
Have Orosius and Eutroius included the foreigners? It could be that Ammianus includes the barbarians and the other three authors for Procopius’ army do not. In the end the difference between three of the authors is a consistent 2000 men, and that alone in itself needs exploring. These sorts of mathematical patterns will always attract my interest.
Evan wrote:
Umm... Auxiliaries? This is the 4th century, not the 1st.
As you have been informed, and as Ammianus and Vegetius use the term auxiliary, I also will be using the term auxiliary…full stop.
