Julian and Vegetius
There has been some discussion from a number of historians about both the
formation of the legiones and their tactics within Vegetius. Most claim that he
is talking about the legiones and their tactics prior to the reforms of
Diocletian.
However, this passage in Julian's Oratation II 'The Heroic Deeds Of
Constantius', pg153, would appear to indicate that these very formations and
tactics were in vogue during Constantius II reign-
'...then and not before the Emperor drew up his cavalry separately on both
wings.
Of these troops some carry lances and are protected by cuirasses and helmets of
wrought iron mail. They wear greaves that fit the legs closely, and knee-caps,
and on their thighs the same sort of iron covering. They ride their horses
exactly like statues, and need no shield. In the rear of these was posted a
large body of the rest of the cavalry, who carried shields, whilst others fought
on horse back with bows and arrows. Of the infantry the hoplites occupied the
centre and supported the the cavalry on either wing. In their rear were the
slingers and archers and all troops that shoot their missiles from the hand and
have neither shield or cuirass. This, then was the disposition of our phalanx.'
Compare with this in Vegetius-
'DRAWING UP A LEGION IN ORDER OF BATTLE
We shall exemplify the manner of drawing up an army in order of battle in the
instance of one legion, which may serve for any number. The cavalry are posted
on the wings. The infantry begin to form on a line with the :first cohort on the
right. The second cohort draws up on the left of the first; the third occupies
the center; the fourth is posted next; and the fifth closes the left flank. The
ordinarii, the other officers and the soldiers of the first line, ranged before
and round the ensigns, were called the principes. They were all heavy armed
troops and had helmets, cuirasses, greaves, and shields. Their offensive weapons
were large swords, called spathae, and smaller ones called semispathae together
with five loaded javelins in the concavity of the shield, which they threw at
the first charge. They had likewise two other javelins, the largest of which was
composed of a staff five feet and a half long and a triangular head of iron nine
inches long. This was formerly called the pilum, but now it is known by the name
of spiculum. The soldiers were particularly exercised in the use of this weapon,
because when thrown with force and skill it often penetrated the shields of the
foot and the cuirasses of the horse. The other javelin was of smaller size; its
triangular point was only five inches long and the staff three feet and one
half. It was anciently called verriculum but now verutum.
The first line, as I said before, was composed of the principes; the hastati
formed the second and were armed in the same manner. In the second line the
sixth cohort was posted on the right flank, with the seventh on its left; the
eighth drew up in the center; the ninth was the next; and the tenth always
closed the left flank. In the rear of these two lines were the ferentarii, light
infantry and the troops armed with shields, loaded javelins, swords and common
missile weapons, much in the same manner as our modern soldiers. This was also
the post of the archers who had helmets, cuirasses, swords, bows and arrows; of
the slingers who threw stones with the common sling or with the fustibalus; and
of the tragularii who annoyed the enemy with arrows from the manubalistae or
arcubalistae.
In the rear of all the lines, the triarii, completely armed, were drawn up. They
had shields, cuirasses, helmets, greaves, swords, daggers, loaded javelins, and
two of the common missile weapons. They rested during the acnon on one knee, so
that if the first lines were obliged to give way, they might be fresh when
brought up to the charge, and thereby retrieve what was lost and recover the
victory. All the ensigns though, of the infantry, wore cuirasses of a smaller
sort and covered their helmets with the shaggy skins of beasts to make
themselves appear more terrible to the enemy. But the centurions had complete
cuirasses, shields, and helmets of iron, the crest of which, placed transversely
thereon, were ornamented with silver that they might be more easily
distinguished by their respective soldiers.
The following disposition deserves the greatest attention. In the beginning of
an engagement, the first and second lines remained immovable on their ground,
and the trairii in their usual positions. The light-armed troops, composed as
above mentioned, advanced in the front of the line, and attacked the enemy. If
they could make them give way, they pursued them; but if they were repulsed by
superior bravery or numbers, they retired behind their own heavy armed infantry,
which appeared like a wall of iron and renewed the action, at first with their
missile weapons, then sword in hand. If they broke the enemy they never pursued
them, least they should break their ranks or throw the line into confusion, and
lest the enemy, taking advantage of their disorder, should return to the attack
and destroy them without difficulty. The pursuit therefore was entirely left to
the light-armed troops and the cavalry. By these precautions and dispositions
the legion was victorious without danger, or if the contrary happened, was
preserved without any considerable loss, for as it is not calculated for
pursuit, it is likewise not easily thrown into disorder.'
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Originally Posted by Valentinian Victor
