btw, i think we are quite underestimating how much money Roman Republic actually had.. for example, i read that Athens payed over 12 talents just as a pay for the 200 men crew, while construction cost of the ship was another 10 talents.. and Athens had over 200 Triremes active, and another 100 in reserve.
At the other side, Rome during first Punic war build up in just 3 months over 100 Quinqueremes, with over 300 men each and another 20 Triremes. Construction cost of Quinquereme would be higher than cost of Trireme ( i assume at least 14-15 talents) while cost of crew would be just marginally larger, as main advantage of Quinquereme was that it required same number of trained rowers per row as Trireme, remaining could be supplemented by two rookies. So, if one Quinquereme cost them about 30 talents, one fleet would cost 3000 talents.. which is like 18 million drachmae if i remember correctly... If they were able to afford such huge price in such a short time, is it really so far-stretched assuming they were also able to procure armors? (now referring to Marian times, with Rome Republic richer, controlling Greece, Carthage, Spain etc...)
How much did Crassus pay for his four "private" legions he used against Spartacus? or another four he wasted at Carrhae?
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btw, book Roman Conquest - Italy, written by Ross Cowan, states that after Asculum, "Romans quickly armed additional men using the arms and armors taken from Samnites at Sentinum, Aquilonia and Cominium, same way, as did they later armed "Volones" after Cannae, with the arms and armor taken from Celts after battle of Telamon. " So technically, Roman Republic must have enough of additional "spoils of war" equipment stored somewhere, so it could be used if necessary. author also states that Proletarii were not allowed into legions, but they suplemented the defense of city of Rome.
At the other side, Rome during first Punic war build up in just 3 months over 100 Quinqueremes, with over 300 men each and another 20 Triremes. Construction cost of Quinquereme would be higher than cost of Trireme ( i assume at least 14-15 talents) while cost of crew would be just marginally larger, as main advantage of Quinquereme was that it required same number of trained rowers per row as Trireme, remaining could be supplemented by two rookies. So, if one Quinquereme cost them about 30 talents, one fleet would cost 3000 talents.. which is like 18 million drachmae if i remember correctly... If they were able to afford such huge price in such a short time, is it really so far-stretched assuming they were also able to procure armors? (now referring to Marian times, with Rome Republic richer, controlling Greece, Carthage, Spain etc...)
How much did Crassus pay for his four "private" legions he used against Spartacus? or another four he wasted at Carrhae?
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btw, book Roman Conquest - Italy, written by Ross Cowan, states that after Asculum, "Romans quickly armed additional men using the arms and armors taken from Samnites at Sentinum, Aquilonia and Cominium, same way, as did they later armed "Volones" after Cannae, with the arms and armor taken from Celts after battle of Telamon. " So technically, Roman Republic must have enough of additional "spoils of war" equipment stored somewhere, so it could be used if necessary. author also states that Proletarii were not allowed into legions, but they suplemented the defense of city of Rome.
Jaroslav Jakubov
