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What are "epilektoi"?
#1
Flavius Josephus refers to epilektoi, elite troops, who were fighting bravely during the first attack on Jerusalem (BJ 5.287), even though other troops were expected fight better. I have no idea what these epilektoi may have been. Anyone any thoughts?
Jona Lendering
Relevance is the enemy of history
My website
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#2
If i remember well, they must be the 2000 picked soldiers from the egyptian legions taken by Titus at the start of the campaign.
"Each historical fact needs to be considered, insofar as possible, no with hindsight and following abstract universal principles, but in the context of own proper age and environment" Aldo A. Settia

a.k.a Davide Dall\'Angelo




SISMA- Società Italiana per gli Studi Militari Antichi
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#3
Quote:If i remember well, they must be the 2000 picked soldiers from the egyptian legions taken by Titus at the start of the campaign.
Bingo! Yes. I've thumbed thru' the book again, and indeed, yes, they are mentioned in 5.43-44. They are replacements for troops that Vespasian had sent to Europe.
Jona Lendering
Relevance is the enemy of history
My website
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