03-26-2006, 08:43 PM
Quote:Hugh Elton examined the idea that the barbarian soldiers were somehow less loyal or less effective than Roman soldiers when in the service of the Empire. He concluded that the evidence indicates they were just as effective and actually more likely to be loyal.Yes, in terms of those entrusted with the protection of the emperor himself, the Byzantine era Varangian Guard was probably the most famous example of this. Earlier emperors also utilized foreign troops as bodyguards. The Germani custodes corporis or German bodyguard provided protection during the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Their dissolution in AD 69 was one of the smaller actions which undermined the reign of Galba. If barbarians could be entrusted with safeguarding the royal personage, they could certainly be trusted (for the most part) on the battlefield.
...at least until they began to suspect they may be simply being treated as “cannon fodder.â€
