11-17-2015, 02:41 PM
The issue is clouded by Ammianus referring to bands of 'barbarian' troops as 'auxiliaries' hired by the Late Romans for specific campaigns, even though they were not auxilia unit's such as the Batavi or Cornuti he also refers to.
As others have already said, the Notitia gives the shield designs of most of the Late Roman units stationed in the West around 420AD and the East around 390AD.
Again, not only in Ammianus but also in Julian's writing's we know that the 'standard' Late Roman army deployment was an infantry centre, often comprised of a battleline and a reserve line, made up of Legions and Auxilia units, and on the flanks of the infantry was posted the clibanarii/catafractarii, cavalry and light horse. The infantry had attached to them skirmishers who often screened the deployment before retiring behind the heavy infantry, their only role then being to pursue routing enemy according to Vegetius.
Vegetius is worth reading as he mixes current (390-420AD) practice to more ancient practice. He also includes a number of alternative army deployments as well.
As others have already said, the Notitia gives the shield designs of most of the Late Roman units stationed in the West around 420AD and the East around 390AD.
Again, not only in Ammianus but also in Julian's writing's we know that the 'standard' Late Roman army deployment was an infantry centre, often comprised of a battleline and a reserve line, made up of Legions and Auxilia units, and on the flanks of the infantry was posted the clibanarii/catafractarii, cavalry and light horse. The infantry had attached to them skirmishers who often screened the deployment before retiring behind the heavy infantry, their only role then being to pursue routing enemy according to Vegetius.
Vegetius is worth reading as he mixes current (390-420AD) practice to more ancient practice. He also includes a number of alternative army deployments as well.
Adrian Coombs-Hoar
