...the next Rome thread

[BeBMan]

To make the confusion complete: I think 3000 was the number of the heavy infantry in a Legion, but there were additional 1200 men of light infantry and 300 horsemen in a republican Legion.
I think the strentgh of 6000 is from Ceasars or Augustus times?

[Prometeus]

The light infantry ( or velites ) disappeared after the second punic war, and often they were used just for opening the fight.
And for the cavalry, it was composed mainly by italics socii ( = allies ), such as Veneti or Latini.
I think you BeBro are making a little confusion with the whole Roman first republican army's number, because it was composed by two legions, after the reform Stefan was talking about, so 6000 men was the right number for wo legions.
Anyway, after the civil wars the consistance of the Roman army increased deeply.

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[This message has been edited by Prometeus (edited August 13, 2000).]

[Hendrik the Great]

Actually there was no fix on the size of a Legion. It could range from 3000 to 6000 or more men depending on the location where they were stationed and the purpose of their asignment. The Legions on the frontier with the Germania were almost about 6000 strong whereas in North Africa it could drop down to barely 3000.

6000 is from the later period after AD when units in endangered areas where often strengthens but also it was common for Legions to be reduced in size because of economic reasons. Usually the Auxiliari forces where not counted with the Legions but seperate. Thier number could be as strong as 2000.

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[Prometeus]

Updated news... the 6000 men legion was created by Caius Marius in the italic Social war period

[Shadowstrike]

That would be sometime around 100 B.C. BeBro, if you still have event space to spare, you can swap two rules files and increase the HP of legions to represent this.

[BeBMan]

Yeah, I´ll include three different types of Legions to show developments in Roman warfare, for instance Manipel (-sp?) or Cohort (-sp?) tactics, which improved the strength of the Legion.

[Hendrik the Great]

It was? I should have paid more attention in my Latin class...

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[Stefan Härtel]

My childhood source of Roman history said a legion consisted of 5000 men

But I believe you with the 6000.

Q.E.D.

[Prometeus]

quote: Originally posted by Stefan Härtel on 08-25-2000 02:34 PM My childhood source of Roman history said a legion consisted of 5000 men But I believe you with the 6000.

The early legion ( the one using phalanx close order tactics ) was composed of 1200 hastati, 1200 principes, 600 triarii and - optionally - 1200 velites. the Cavalry "turmae" or "alae" were not considered as legion's parts...
Velites disappeared at the end of second Punic War.
After the social wars, every single part' strenght was increased, except for "triarii"'s number that still remained of 600 men.

[This message has been edited by Prometeus (edited August 25, 2000).]
[This message has been edited by Prometeus (edited August 25, 2000).]

[BeBMan]

Let´s have a ancient Roman Warfare forum here at Apolyton...

[Prometeus]

Yeah, it's our duty to increase the world chaos ...

[Andz83]

does it work here?

[Andz83]

it does!