an elaboration by Pompeius Magnus for Ages of Darkness II
page still under construction
Yet another excellent and interesting read, Pomps. + rep !
read it with a single breath.
thank you.
I try to add a last chapter about the "soldier-goods" (given land) next time regarding Italy and the Roman east - then we have a better analogy about the stepwise permanent settlement of former Stratiotai/Comitatenses (but it's also partially described yet)
mmmm strange who make the thema system in the first place?
Last edited by The excited one; July 29, 2011 at 08:22 AM.
war is peace, ignorance is strength, freedom is slavery......
(george orwell 1984)
because there are lots of people saying that the thema system is created by different emperors within a span of 50 years
war is peace, ignorance is strength, freedom is slavery......
(george orwell 1984)
As described in the text: the first step into a Theme system was started with the creation of the office of the Quaestor Iustinianus, influences of static wintering camps, the installation of Exarchs, fortified positions of mobile Comitatenses, and the retreat of the field armies to Asia Minor. A confirmation is not given before 687AD. An evolvement of round about 150 years.
that means the empire is decentralizing itself for 150 years......... nuts
war is peace, ignorance is strength, freedom is slavery......
(george orwell 1984)
oh please i didn't say its weird or sth like that i mean that it takes THAT long to evolve itself
war is peace, ignorance is strength, freedom is slavery......
(george orwell 1984)
A gradual process of decentralization is bound to happen to a state constantly waging war along its borders - it is more efficient to allot more power to localized commanders and officials to ensure quicker and more coordinated response to small scale threats.
I remember having read that the Thema institution is regarded as "low end" solution (Guess it was Ian Morris) because it required less organization. That would mean the Thema system is inferior to the older system of garrison armies and field armies.
i think that Thema is also more cost-efficient.