11-04-2016, 11:25 AM
(11-04-2016, 09:52 AM)Steven James Wrote: If as I am led to believe a numerus was a unit of varying size, then how does a commander communicate his need for reinforcements? Please send me a numerus and then live in hope that someone would send a numerus of 2,000 men which the commander is wanting, or does he hope for the best?
I don't see the problem. If a commander needs reinforcements, he doesn't say, 'I want a numerus' or 'I want a vexillation'. He says, 'I want x number of men', be it 100, 500, 1000 or whatever. This could be made up of the appropriate number of men drawn from a single unit (note that I am not using 'unit' in any specific sense) or, for a large number, from more than one unit. This detachment would then be referred to as a 'vexillation', whatever its size. I agree that this is unlikely to made up of individual soldiers but, more likely, of complete sub-units, the members of which would be used to serving together.
Michael King Macdona
And do as adversaries do in law, -
Strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends.
(The Taming of the Shrew: Act 1, Scene 2)
And do as adversaries do in law, -
Strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends.
(The Taming of the Shrew: Act 1, Scene 2)