Late Roman Army - Mid 4th Century
The troops are the first in a series of reskinned units for the late roman army (mid 4th Century) . I have to thank the creative talents of people such as Attilla Reloaded, Razor, Lusted and Ramon for creating some great skins and shield designs. I have merely embellished what were already great pieces of work.
Late Roman Army – Mid to Late Fourth Century
The roman army had undergone considerable changes since the principate. With pressures from both within and without the Empire during the third century, the army saw extensive changes. These changes probably began with Severus, then Gallienus, then more radically Diocletian and finally Constantine.
The changes throughout the third century saw the introduction of mobile field armies brought together by using legio vexillationes, cohortes, alae and the combining of legio equites into what were to become equites promoti and equites scutarii.
Severus had raised three new legios; I, II, and III parthica. He stationed the II parthica in Northern Italy, and coupled with the increase in the size of the Praetorian Guard saw up to 20,000 troops in Italy. It is difficult to be sure whether this was ever intended as a mobile reserve force or a more purely political one. Gallienus is credited in having created the first true mobile army, but this was not meant to be a permanent force, merely created to deal with the barbarian crisis.
Diocletian seems to have had a comitatus (sacred retinue) which consisted of speciality cavalry units such as the equites dalmatae, equites promoti. For infantry units there was probably the lanciarii, as well as the iovianii and herculanii formed out of I legio iovia and II legio herculia respectively. Over time there may have been the addition of the divitenses and the tungricani as part of the Tetrarchy’s guard units. The lanciarii may have originated under Gallienus with the 4 other units possibly being guard units for the two Augusti and the two Caesars. Other troops such as the protectores and scholae may have also existed under Diocletian.
By Constantine’s time the roman army had be effectively divided into two parts, the frontier troops and the field armies. The frontier troops were known as limitanei (troops of the frontier). These consisted of the old alae, cohortes, and numerii, and the ripeness (legios and cunei equitum, equites and auxilia) which were considered superior. The distinction between the limitanei and comitatensis was made when a law by Constantine dated 17 June 325AD was passed. This formalized the separation of the army into two distinct functions.
LIMITANEI – FRONTIER TROOPS
Border troops were referred to as limitanei, (pronounced LEE-mays). The law of 325 AD implied that the limitanei consisted of two classes of troops; the ripeness (legions, equites, cunei equitum, and auxilia) and the alae et cohortes. The alae et cohortes included the classis (flotillas). The ripenses or riparienses as they were also called were higher grade troops than the alae et cohortes much like during the principate period. During the 4th century and even into the early 5th century these troops were still considered battle worthy but were less prestigious than the comitatensis and palatinae units of the field armies. These troops were permanently stationed along the borders and were usually reluctant to move to another province, though could act in cohort with field armies within their own province or even be promoted to field armies assuming the title of psuedocomitatensis. Over time, however, the limitanei settled down at their posts and became soldier-settlers with families and farms, rather than purely garrison troops. Although a militia of sorts and treated as second class by the mobile comitatensis, the limitanei are fairly well trained and reasonably well equipped. These milites belong to an armoured legionary detachment. Being armoured they are more likely to fight in the front ranks. These milites are armed with lancea and spatha.
According to the Notitia Dignatatum existing legios were stationed over a number of places, with one place acting as headquarters where the legio praefectus was stationed. These old legios also supplied, at least in the beginning the units for the field armies, and also limitanei units were to be found in regional and praesental field armies under the title pseudo-comitatensis, so they were still considered to be of good fighting stature.
The main function of limitanei troops was to be a border patrol and protection force, not too dissimilar to the legios and auxiliary cohortes under the earlier principate. These units would only deal with small border raids, harassment of larger enemy forces, reconnaissance and assist field armies if required in larger battles. Of course, if the need arose, limitanei units could be brought together into a single larger force if the local regional field army was away (as happened in the early phases of the gothic war leading up to the Battle of Adrianople).
There also seems to have been a higher percentage of cavalry units to infantry ones which may reflect the need for reconnaissance and harassment duties.
The type of units found under the limitanei system consisted of the old alae, cohortes, cunei equitum and numerii, as well river and ocean classis units plus some newly created auxilia and equites units. The legios as stated above were still in existence but often much under strength and broken up into detachments along a particular frontier. It is quite possible that the old units retained their old organizational structures but again well under strength. It has been suggested that the old legios had been reduced to around 2,000 men but there are examples in the Notitia Dignatatum of legios having 5 cohortes in two fortresses while others are responsible for up to six fortresses.
For this mod I have assumed a unit strength of 80% which for an old cohortes structure would mean approx 384 men for a unit of legio or cohortes limitanei. A cohortes consisted of 6 centuriae, or 3 pairs. This translates into 3 x 32 men units plus officers for each cohortes.
Numerii were introduced early in the first century AD but formalized under the reign of the Emperor Hadrian and were originally recruited from barbarian tribes with their own costumes, armour etc, but under Roman Officers. By the third century these units had become absorbed into the Roman Army. Their unit size is uncertain and seemed to depend on local circumstances, though they were smaller than regular cohortes. For this mod I have assumed 80% of 360 man unit which equates to 20 men plus officers.
By the late third century most units contained a proportion of lightly armed troops, beginning with troops armed with lighter javelins such as the lancea. These units had roles not too dissimilar to the old republican velites. By the fourth century this proportion of light armed troops would also include archers. Extensive fighting throughout the third century had taught the Romans the value of longer range missile weapons and so incorporated these weapons into their fighting methods.
A cohorte which consisted on paper of 6 centuriae, had 2 centuriae paired together in 3 lines. When armour was not as widely available as would have been the case for limitanei troops, then at least the front ranks would be armoured with heavier armour and those in the rear only armed with a shield and possibly a helmet.
So for this mod you will find a unit called Legio Armatus Ripenses. This unit represents the more heavily armed front ranks of a legio or auxilia cohorte. In terms of upgrading a limitanei unit to field army status, known as a pseudo-comitatensis, then you could use this unit to represent the upgrade.
Unit Types
This mod gives a variety of unit options for limitanei troops.
First there is the Numerii, which in this case is represented by a figure which is only armed with a scutum (shield), veruta and lancea. These troops reflect their barbarian origins but are now considered at least semi regular. These troops can act as skirmishers but also fight in the main battle group, possibly at the rear.
Next are the more regular limitanei troops. These troops represent the bulk of the limitanei troops and are collectively known as milites. These troops are the remnants of the old legios and auxiliary cohortes.
Again I have allowed a number of different helmet designs that were available at the time.
The first was the spangehelm helmet. This helmet came into use toward the end of the third century and continued well into the sixth century. Its origins seem to be from Sarmatian and possibly eastern origins. There were a number of variants, but this one comes from an archaeological find from Dar al-Madinah in Egypt. This helmet consisted of six iron plates attached to six iron bands surmounted by a disc riveted to the top of the bowl. These figures represent Auxilia Cohortes Limitanei units and are armed with veruta and spatha and have a large oval scutum.
The second figure represents auxilia dalmatae. This figure has a variation of the spangehelm helmet with smaller cheek pieces. This figure is shown with lorica hamata and is armed with veruta and lancea plus scutum.
The third helmet is known as the Intercisa after the place in Hungary where this example was found. This helmet was also known as the Ridge Helmet and consisted of two half bowls that were attached by a riveted ridge piece. This helmet also had cheek and neck plates that were sown to the helmet. Some highly decorated Ridge Helmets have been found. It is thought that these helmets were of eastern origin. This figure is armed with veruta and lancea and scutum.
Both of these helmets could also be worn by cavalry troops and elite infantry and would probably have had been more detailed helmets with head crests.
The last set of figures represents the more heavily armoured front rankers that I referred to earlier. Again, you could use this unit to represent an upgraded limitanei unit to field army status. The figure on the left has lorica hamata (chain mail) and the one on the right lorica squamata (scale armour)
The rear ranks would most likely have been unarmoured except for their helmet and shield.
All personnel serving in the imperial fleet were classed as milites ("soldiers"), regardless of their function; only when differentiation with the army was required, were the adjectives classiarius or classicus added. Milites Muscularii is a late roman term for marines. These men are armed with veruta and lancea. These troops are part of the border army (limitanei) and so are considered second class troops. They may have served in all of the remaining imperial fleets as well as involved in the Saxon Shore defences along the east british and north-east gallic coasts.
The next number of figures represent those units whose function was as skirmishing missile troops whose job was either to harass the enemy, screen the main infantry body and support the main infantry body during melee.
The first is called the exploratores. These types of troops were found both in the frontier armies but also in the field armies. These figures are shown wearing either “pannonian” hat or intercisa helmet or bare headed. They are armed with veruta, spatha and oval scutum.
The second figure is called the praeventores. Together with the superventores these troops function was more often reconnaissance. Again this figure is wearing a “pannonian” hat and is armed with veruta, spatha and scutum. These troops also have the ability to hide anywhere which makes them very good for ambushes.
The remaining figures are long range missile troops. The first figure shows one of the sagitarii indigenae units that were recruited from local peoples around the empire. These troops would have been considered semi-regular.
The first figure is of Germanic origins, the second is a Bleymme, the third is from the eastern provinces and the last is also Germanic.
The second and third figures are the more regular sagitarii units. The first has a “pannonian” hat and the second a Ridge Helmet.
Contrary to popular opinion slingers were still very much in use even in the late period. In fact there was a pseudo comitatensis unit called "funditores".
Next two figures represent sagitarii from the eastern parts of the empire where armour was important. The figure on the left has lorica hamata and the one on the right lorica squamata.
The last figure is called an arcuballistarii. This figure is armed with a form of early crossbow, though this is still debatable. The Arcuballista which according to some sources is really a hunting weapon, this is because it was seen on a mural depicting men armed with these devices hunting animals. Stephenson in his book "Romano-Byzantine Infantry Equipment", calls the arcuballista not a crossbow but an arch-ballista. He refers to the Strategikon which states, "weapons of the light-armed infantryman. They should carry bows on their shoulders with large quivers holding about thirty or forty arrows. They should have small shields, as well as solenaria with short arrows in small quivers. These can be fired a great distance with the bows and cause harm to the enemy." The solenaria was more precisely a "hollowed out wooden tube or channel", rather than a crossbow which would act like an arrow-guide.
Cavalry
As stated above the percentage of cavalry amongst the limitanei was higher than those of the comitatensis, possibly due to their role and function as skirmisher/harassment troops, whereas cavalry within the field armies still played, at this time, a more traditional support role, though enhanced, especially with more heavily armoured units such as cataphractarii and clibinarii.
This figures belongs are light cavalry. These troops are part of the limitanei and so would be along the borders. The troops are: equites auxilia, equites mauri, equites dalmatii and equites armaturae. All are armed with shield and carry several veruta and spatha.
This figure represents an equites scutarii. Belonging to the frontier army he is not as heavily armed with only a large oval shielded for protection. His main function is to skirmish and harass the enemy. He is armed with veruta and spatha.
Equites Sagittarii. This unit belongs to the limitanei.
Equites Sagittarii Indigenae. This unit was recruited from local indigenous peoples, especially in the east where the majority of these types of units were found.
Numerus Equites Sarmatarum: These troops derive from sarmatian cataphracts that were enlisted into the roman army from the second century AD onwards.
COMITATENSIS/PALATINAE - FIELD ARMIES
As stated earlier a mobile field army may have originated with the Emperor Gallienus, but it was Diocletian who kept a small comitatus as his guard. Constantine completed the formal division of troop types into the limitanei as already outlined and the mobile field armies. This army was under the direct control of the emperor. This army consisted of the following units: Five equites units; comites sagitarii, equites promoti, equites cornuti, equites brachiati, and equites batavi; five legiones; legio lanciarii, legio iovianii, legio herculianii, legio divitenses and legio tungricani; ten auxilia units; cornuti, brachiati, petulantes, celtae, heruli, batavi, mattiaci, salii, regii and tubantes.
The equites and legio units originated from earlier field armies, but the 10 auxilia units were possibly raised by Constantine or his father in the Rhineland.
A single mobile army under the control of the emperor was not enough to keep the peace in all parts of the empire so regional field armies were established in Gaul, Illyricum and the East. These were in place by 365AD but most likely earlier. To distinguish the regional armies from the emperor’s army, the emperor’s army was known as the praesentalis (in the presence of) and palatinae added to the units titles.
Over time with unit transfer to different parts of the empire palatinae and comitatensis units found their way into the praesentalis and regional armies. Palatinae units though were still considered to be better payed and better equipped than their comitatensis counterparts.
The organisational structure of these new units was different from the old cohortes structure. The legios consisted of 6 manipulus with of 2 centuriae which equated to between 1,000 and 1,200 men, with a proportion of between 25% to 33% light infantry. This would equate to 2 of the manipulus being lanciarii and/or sagitarii. For the mod this means that 6 units make up a field legio with 2 of those units being either lanciarii or sagitarii or one of each.
In terms of numbers of actual men, I have assumed that palatinae units would have maintained a higher level than comitatensis. Therefore I have assumed that palatinae units are at 90% full strength and comitatensis units at 80% full strength.
This equates to a palatinae maniple having 45 men including officers and a comitatensis ordo 40 men including officers.
Auxilia consisted of 3 manipulus and so equated to between 500 – 600 men, with again a proportion of troops and light troops. This would mean the 1 of the 3 manipulus had light infantry, though there auxilia that were specialist sagitarii units. I have assumed the same percentage for auxilia troops as for legio palatinae troops. Therefore the unit size is 45 men including officers.
Equites vexillationes had the same structure as auxilia units, 3 manipulus equating to 500-600 men. I have assumed an 80% full strength unit. This equates to a maniple of 35 men including officers.
Unit Types
INFANTRY
Legio Comitatensis - Intercisa Helmet: These troops are heavily armed with the left hand figure have lorica squamata and the right hand figure lorica hamata. These troops are fitted with an Intercisa Helmet and armed with spicula (heavy throwing weapon) and spatha.
Legio Comitatensis - Berkasovo Helmet: These troops are similar to the ones above except that they are armed with plumbartarii (darts), spatha and a large oval shield.
Legio Comitatensis - Spangehelm Helmet: These troops are fitted with the spangehelm helmet and armed with spicula and spatha.
Legio Comitatensis - mail coif: These troops are fitted with mail coif instead of a helmet and armed with spicula and spatha.
Legio Comitatensis - Intercisa Helmet: These troops are armed with a long hasta (spear) and veruta. These troops were handy in dealing with cavalry armies such as the Sarmatian tribes and the Sassanids.
Legio Comitatensis Lanciarii: These troops are light armed legionnaires whose role was to act as skirmishers. A late roman legio consisted of 6 ordos. Each ordo had approximately 200 men. So a legio had about 1200 men. Each legio contained a percentage of light armed troops such as these lanciarii, but could also have sagitarii troops.
Legio Comitatensis Sagitarii: These are legionaries armed with bow. These troops would generally be at the rear of the main formation and shoot over their comrade’s head leading up to and during battle.
The one on the left would more likely be from a unit posted in the West and the other two in the East. These two are more heavily armed to handle missile armed troops along Rome’s eastern borders.
Palatina Troops
Auxilia Palatina - Spangehelm Helmets: These troops form the elite part of the field armies. This unit is armed with veruta and spatha.
Auxilia Palatina - Intercisa Helmet: These troops form the elite part of the field armies. This unit is armed with veruta and lancea.
Auxilia Palatina: These troops differ from the above unit in being more lightly armed with no armour and no helmet but with a larger shield. These troops could act as skirmishers but also take their place in the battle line. These troops would most likely be recruited from Gaul and Germany. They are armed with veruta and spatha.
Auxilia Palatina Light: Again Auxilia Palatina units, which consisted of 3 ordos, hence 600 men usually, contained a proportion of light armed troops, between 25% to 30%. These troops represent skirmishers that would screen the main body until the melee took place. These troops are armed with plumbartarii and spatha.
Auxilia Palatina Sagitarii: These auxilia palatinae troops are sagitarii that either form part of an auxilia unit or belong to a stand alone sagitarii unit. The figure on the left is armoured and would be more likely to be recruited in the eastern provinces. Again note the yellow crests to distinguish them from legio units.
Legio Palatinae: This unit belongs to the legio herculianii seniores, one of the palatinae units and sister unit of the iovianii seniores. This figure is armed with lorica hamata, oval scutum and Berkasovo Helmet, a more ornate ridge helmet with larger cheek pieces. This helmet would have been worn by more elite units including both infantry and cavalry units and most likely by officers. The Herculianii and Iovianii Legios were created by the Emperor Diocletian as guard units for himself and co-emperor Maximian in the end of the 3rd century and were still in service at the beginning of the 5th century. The cognomen of the legion refers to Hercules, to whom Diocletian’s colleague, Maximian (also known as Herculius, "the man like Hercules") was devoted.
This Palatini unit was drawn from the II Herculia which was stationed, together with her sister legio I Iovia, in Pannonia Secunda, a new province created with the segmentation of the old Pannonia province. The purpose of the legio was to protect the imperial residence of Diocletian in Sirmium. These legios had fought well for Diocletian and were thus rewarded with his favour. They were renowned for their use of the lead-weighted darts plumbartarii. They carried 5 of these in the hollow of their shields and were thrown prior to contact with the enemy. They had a longer range than conventional javelins and pila. They were part of the original five Palatina Legio’s, the first of which may go back to Gallienus. These were the Lanciarii, Iovianii, Herculianii, Divitenses and Tungricani. After the permanent split of the empire in 365AD all existing units were split into Seniores and Juniores with Seniores belonging to the Western Empire and Juniores to the Eastern Empire. This unit is armed with plumbartarii and spatha.
This unit belongs to the legio iovianii seniores, the sister unit of the herculianii seniores. It to has the Berkasovo Helmet and is armed with plumbartarii and spatha.
This unit belongs to the legio herculianii iuniores, also a palatinae unit. This unit differs from its senior unit in that it has a lorica squamata instead of lorica hamata and has a ridge helmet. It is also armed with plumbartarii and spatha.
This unit belongs to the legio iovianii iuniores, the sister unit of the herculianii iuniores. Like its sister unit it too has a ridge helmet and is armed with plumbartarii and spatha.
This figure is one of the Lanciarii Seniores. The Lanciarii Legio is one of the earliest guard units probably created around the time of Gallienus. It was one of the original five Palatina Legio’s, the first of which may go back to Gallienus. These were the Lanciarii, Iovianii, Herculianii, Divitenses and Tungricani.
The use of the term lanciarius to cover any member of the imperial bodyguard first appeared during the Tetrarchy, even if such men were not armed with the lancea. It has been suggested that under Constantine, all lanciarii were grouped together to form a single elite legio, possibly the original legio Lanciarii. Others have stated that the lanciarii comes from the legio Parthica II which later became the Domestici Pedites. Either way, it seems that the lanciarii started off as guard troop.
This guarding function led in the late 3rd century to the term lanciarius connotating 'Imperial guard' in much the way 'scutarius' came to, so that the term came to embrace non-legionary guards as well. In the 4th century, most of these lanciarii units were no longer employed as guards.
The Notitia Dignitatum lists a number of units styled lanciarii. In the west: the Lanciarii Sabarienses, the Lanciarii Gallicani Honoriani (or Lanciarii Honoriani Gallicani), the Lanciarii Lauriacenses and the Lanciarii Comaginenses; and in the east, the Lanciarii seniores, the Lanciarii iuniores (two different units), the Lanciarii Stobenses and the Lanciarii Augustenses. All are legionary infantry units. The Lanciarii came to be one of the senior field legios with the Herculianii and Iovianii which were created later by the Emperor Diocletian as guard units for himself and co-emperor Maximian in the end of the 3rd century and were still in service at the beginning of the 5th century. This legio was probably created out of the lanciarii troops of the II Parthica legio.
After the permanent split of the empire in 365AD all existing units were split into Seniores and Juniores with Seniores belonging to the Western Empire and Juniores to the Eastern Empire. These legionaries are armed with spiculum (heavy throwing weapon) and spatha.
Even during the late roman period legionaries could be heavily armed especially the front rank troops and also more elite troops such as palatinae. This figure represents such a unit. He is fitted with a full length lorica hamata reinforced with lamellar. He wears a manica which is designed to protect the whole arm as well as ocreae (greaves). These are iron greaves similar to earlier principate ones but could also have been made of wood in some form of splint construction. These units would have been rather slow, tire easily and very expensive.
These figures belong to a legio palatinae lanciarii. These troops were part of a larger legio and acted as skirmishers and support troops for the main body.
Legio Palatinae Sagitarii: These figures represent legio sagitarii that would belong to a legio. At least one ordo would have an archer unit to give "fire support" over the main body.
You may notice that I have given all auxilia palatinae units yellow crests and legio palatinae unit’s red crests. This is arbitrary, as units probably had different colours, but for the mod it helps to differentiate between auxilia and legio troops.
This unit represent veteran troops and is armed with veruta and spatha.
CAVALRY
This equites mauri has a helmet as he belongs to one of the field armies, though he could equally find himself on border patrol.
Equites Scutarii. This unit differs from the other equites scutarii in having a spangehelm helmet, and lorica hamata due to belonging to a field army. He is armed with veruta, lancea and large scutum.
This figure represents the equites promoti. Together with the equites scutarii these units were created out of legionary cavalry during the later half of the third century. These units were considered to be crack troops and would have been used for combat.
This figure represents the equites parthia iuniores which was apparently in the Gallic Regional Field Army. This unit would have originally been recruited in the east and then posted to the west. Subsequent recruits would most likely have come from the local recruiting areas.
Vexillationes Sagittarii: This figure is a more heavily armed horse archer.
This figure represents an equites veterani. He has a spangehelm helmet and is armed like the heavy equites scutarii, veruta, lancea, and large scutum.
Equites Cataphractarii: These units are heavily armed as clibinarii riding armoured horses. These figures have the spangehelm helmet and wear lorica squamata (scale armour). They are armed with kontos and spatha. These units were generally found in regional armies and mainly in the west, though some units were know to belong to the limitanei.
Equites Clibinarii Parthi: The Equites Clibinarii Parthi were units that mainly served in the eastern half of the empire. These units would have originally been recruited from the Parthians and so are armed in a similar fashion. The clibinarii wear even more armour than cataphractarii, the other heavy cavalry of the later Roman army. Not only the men but also the horses wear beautifully fitted scale and mail armour that can protect against most melee attacks and many missile weapons. This type of armoured cavalry force is a late development for the Empire, a practical response to many decades of warfare in the East against assorted Persian dynasties.
The Equites Persae Clibinarii is a Palatina unit listed under the Praesentalis II army. It is assumed that this unit was recruited originally from Persians and as such are dressed and armed similar to Sassanid Clibinarii with Kontos Spatha. The word Clibinarii means "baked oven" which is appropriate considering that both horse and rider were encased in armour.
The Equites Clibinarii Palmyran is a Palatina unit listed under the Orientum army. It is assumed that this unit was originally recruited from Palmyra, after Aurelian victory over Palmyra. They are intended to batter enemy lines into submission.
The Equites Promoti Clibinarii is a Palatina unit listed under the under the Orientum army.
SCHOLAE – GUARD UNITS
As we know the praetorians were disbanded after Constantine’s victory over Maxentius at Milvian Bridge in 312 AD to be replaced by the scholae initially under the direct command of the Emperor, but later coming under the comes domesticorum who reported to the Emperor.
The scholae consisted of two types of guard units. The more senior were the domestici et protectores. Supposedly protectors had been set up originally by Gallienus as a form of officer recruitment and training corp. Promising young officers and rankers served in the corps before being promoted to a command. By Diocletian’s time they had also become a bodyguard. In fact Diocletian himself had been part of the protectores. The domestici et protectores consisted of one auxilium of infantry and one vexillatio of cavalry. There was one of each stationed in Rome and in Constantinople.
This is the domestici pedites stationed in Rome. This unit has a spangehelm helmet and round shield and is armed with a spiculum and spatha.
This is the domestici pedites station in Constantinople. This unit has a Berkasovo Helmet and round shield and is armed with spiculum and spatha.
This shield pattern which is for the eastern Domestici may have originally belong the lanciarii cohort of the Legio II Parthica without the angels holding the imperial image. The domestici were guard units along with the scholae and candidati, consisting both of horse and foot units who were stationed at Rome and Constantinople. These units came under the command of the comites domesticorum and were often sent on special duties.
The full title of the Domestics was protectores et domestici. The name protectores derives from the second half of the third century there existed protectores of two kinds: protectores Augusti, and protectores of the prætorian prefect. The latter ceased when, under Constantine’s new régime, the prætorian prefect ceased to have military functions. The domestici or House guards, which was designed to admit nobles and sons of senators to a career in the army. There was now two corps of palace guards, that of the Protectors who were enrolled for distinguished service, and were consequently veterans, and that of the domestics who were admitted nobilitate et gratia, through birth and interest. But the two were closely connected and jointly commanded by the comites domesticorum; and the two names came to be interchangeable and used indifferently of one or the other. This unit was stationed in Constantinople.
The domestici were guard units along with the scholae and candidati, consisting both of horse and foot units who were stationed at Rome and Constantinople. These units came under the command of the comites domesticorum and were often sent on special duties. This unit was stationed in Rome.
An inner bodyguard picked for their loyalty rather than as potential leaders bore the brunt of the bodyguard function and were called candidate.
The other guard units were the scholae palatinae and were organized as vexillationes. There were originally 5 units, then 5 for each half of the empire when it was divided, and then finally 5 in the west and 7 in the east.
The western units were:
Schola scutariorum prima
Schola scutariorum secunda
Schola scutariorum tertia
Schola armaturarum seniorum
Schola gentilium seniorum
The eastern units were:
Schola scutariorum prima
Schola scutarium secunda
Schola gentilium seniorum
Schola scutariorum sagittariorum
Schola scutariorum clibinariorum
Schola armaturam iuniorum
Schola gentilium iuniorum
Schola Scutariorum Clibinaiorum: This figure represents the more heavily armed scholae unit which was found in the eastern part of the empire. This figure is armed just like other clibinarii units. He has a more decorated spangehelm helmet and carries a small rouns scutum.
Foederati Units
Here is a range of foederati units that can be recruited by the romans when foedus have been signed between the Empire and the relative barbarian tribe.
I strongly recommend that you read the following posts for more detail on the late roman army by pompeius magnus:
and the other by seniorbatavianhorse of strategy and tactics:
References
Southern & Dixon - The Late Roman Army, 1996
Stephenson - Romano-Byzantine Infantry Equipment, 2006
Elliot – The Last Legionary, 2007
Barker – The Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome, 1981
MacDowall – Late Roman Infantryman AD 236-565, 2004
MacDowell – Late Roman Cavalryman AD 236-565, 2005
Cowan – Imperial Roman Legionary AD 161-284, 2003
Cowan – Roman Battle Tactics, 2007
Fields – Rome’s Saxon Shore AD 250-500, 2006
I strongly recommend that you read the following posts for more detail on the late roman army by pompeius magnus:
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=106375
and the other by seniorbatavianhorse of strategy and tactics:
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=142738
References
Southern & Dixon - The Late Roman Army, 1996
Stephenson - Romano-Byzantine Infantry Equipment, 2006
Elliot – The Last Legionary, 2007
Barker – The Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome, 1981
MacDowall – Late Roman Infantryman AD 236-565, 2004
MacDowell – Late Roman Cavalryman AD 236-565, 2005
Cowan – Imperial Roman Legionary AD 161-284, 2003
Cowan – Roman Battle Tactics, 2007
Fields – Rome’s Saxon Shore AD 250-500, 2006
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Re: Late Roman Army - Mid 4th Century from the forthcoming IJV3.0
Originally Posted by Latro
