03-05-2007, 06:55 PM
Not really my period, but the unit, or detachment, of ‘Macedonians’ found at Heliopolis in c. 635 (IGLS 2828) is thought to be descended from the old legio V Macedonica. The ‘Scythae’ found a few years later at Gaza, may be connected with the old legio IIII Scythica, though this is disputed. A few other units with origins in the field armies of the third or fourth centuries survived into the later eighth century and perhaps beyond. See J. F.Haldon, State Army, and Society in Byzantium: Approaches to Military, Social, and Administrative History, 6th-12th centuries (1995), article V.
For the organisation of fifth to early seventh century frontier ‘legions’ in Egypt, see P. Keenan, 'Evidence for the Byzantine Army in the Syene Papyri,’ Bulletin of the American Society of Papyrologists 27 (1990), 139-150. Also, B. Porten, The Elephantine papyri in English. Three Millennia of Cross-Cultural Continuity and Change (1996), has a chapter dedicated the relevant papyri.
The papyri are most interesting, indicating the survival of centurions into the early seventh century (IIRC, a document of AD 613 is the latest to mention a centurion). Other papyri also refer to draconarii, a campidoctor etc. (the Latin titles being transliterated into Greek), but remember, these are frontier units. For example, the 'Legion of Syene' was probably a traditional legionary vexillation sent to the First Cataract by Diocletian and stayed there for more than 300 years, retaining the essential features of its original organisation.
I'm sure some of our Late Roman specialists could add more.
Cheers,
Ross
For the organisation of fifth to early seventh century frontier ‘legions’ in Egypt, see P. Keenan, 'Evidence for the Byzantine Army in the Syene Papyri,’ Bulletin of the American Society of Papyrologists 27 (1990), 139-150. Also, B. Porten, The Elephantine papyri in English. Three Millennia of Cross-Cultural Continuity and Change (1996), has a chapter dedicated the relevant papyri.
The papyri are most interesting, indicating the survival of centurions into the early seventh century (IIRC, a document of AD 613 is the latest to mention a centurion). Other papyri also refer to draconarii, a campidoctor etc. (the Latin titles being transliterated into Greek), but remember, these are frontier units. For example, the 'Legion of Syene' was probably a traditional legionary vexillation sent to the First Cataract by Diocletian and stayed there for more than 300 years, retaining the essential features of its original organisation.
I'm sure some of our Late Roman specialists could add more.
Cheers,
Ross
