Since foederati were not really recruitable before julian defeated franks, in 358, and since old auxiliary troops were limitanei by now,
my question is: what troops they did use like auxilia, between constantine reform, and julian campaign in gaul?
auxilia palatina were an elite troop.
so, who perform auxilia duties (cover the flanks of legionary infantry, dangerous tasks, where was better dont risk to loose legionaries, recon duties, etc like when batavi was send to cross thames river for attack catuvellauni, during the invasion of britannia. aulo plauzio send auxilia, to swim in the river,cross it, and kill the horses of britannic army, because was a dangerous task, and was better risk the life of auxilia, than of legionaries.) before first foedus was signed in 358? mercenaries? limitanei? who did the support tasks to legions, before the firsts foedus was signed in 357-58 by franks?