Favonius Cornelius

You've got all the primary sources there from what I know, any later historians almost always will be quoting the earlier ones in their own works. You ask one of the great questions of Roman history that historians have done battle over for centuries...I am afraid no one will ever know for sure unless someone miraculously finds a new ancient work on the history.

Bellona was a goddess of war in Roman mythology. Although this goddess did not play a significant role in either myth or legend, she was important enough in Roman religion to be honored with her own temple. This temple of Bellona was located in the Campus Martius (which was, of course, in the ancient city of Rome) and was situated in close proximity to the altar of Mars. The location of the temple of Bellona relative to the altar of Mars deserves a bit more explanation, for the placement of these two monuments seems not to be a random accident, but rather reveals a deeper relationship between the Roman goddess and god. For the ancient Romans sometimes identified Bellona with Mars (Mars, remember, was the Roman god of war). Both Bellona and Mars were intimately involved with war and battles, so this identification is quite natural. Indeed, some sources even went so far as to conflate Bellona with Nerio (Nerio was the wife of Mars in Roman mythology). Bellona was often identified in mythology with the Greek war goddess Enyo. BELLONA, AEDES: (templum, Liv. x.19; Fest. 33; Ov. Fast. vi.205): the temple of Bellona, a goddess who probably represented that characteristic of Mars which was displayed in the fierceness of battle frenzy (WR 137-138; AR 1909, 70, 71). It was vowed by Appius Claudius Caecus in 296 B.C. (Liv. x.19.17; Plin. NH xxxv.12; Ov. Fast. vi.201-204; CIL i2 p192 (Elog. x.) = xi.1827), and dedicated a few years later on June 3rd (Ov. Fast. vi.201). No traces, architectural or epigraphic, of the temple have been found, and its site is not known with certainty; but it was in the campus Martius, in circo Flaminio (Fast. Ven. ad III non. Iun.; CIL i2p319; Mirabil. 23; BC 1914, 383-385), probably about half-way between the north-east corner of the circus Flaminius and the Petronia amnis. From it the senators heard the cries of the prisoners whom Sulla massacred in the Villa publica (Plut. Sulla 30; Sen. de clem. i.12.2; Cass. Dio, fr. 109.5), and from the open area in front of it one looked at the eastern end of the circus Flaminius (Ov. Fast. vi.205, 209). It was probably on the east side of the via Triumphalis and faced the east. For a suggestive but hardly convincing theory that this temple was at the west end of the circus Flaminius, in the Piazza Paganica, see BC 1918, 120-126). The senate met in this temple on various occasions (SC de Bacch. CIL i.581 = x.104; Cic. in Verr. v.41; Plut. Sulla 7; Cass. Dio l.4), and most frequently, as the temple lay outside the pomerium, to receive victorious generals on their return to Rome, and to vote upon their claims for a triumph (Liv. xxvi.21; xxviii.9, 38; xxxi.47; xxxiii.22; xxxvi.39; xxxviii.44; xxxix.29; xli.6; xlii.9, 21, 28; Sall. frg. v.26; cf. BC 1908, 138). Foreign ambassadors were also received here (Liv. xxx.21, 40; xxxiii.24; xlii.36). The temple is mentioned in the second and early third century (Plut. Cic. 13; Cass. Dio lxxi.33; Hist. Aug. Sev. 22; Placidus, p14 Deuerl. = CGL v.8.22, 50.8). Near It was a SENACULUM (q.v.) or place of assembly for the senators (Fest. 347), and in front of it stood the COLUMNA BELLICA (q.v.). Besides the literature already cited, see RE iii.254-255; viii.572-573; Rosch. i.775; HJ 552-554; JRS 1921, 32. BELLONA PULVINENSIS, AEDES: a temple mentioned in three inscriptions (CIL vi.490, 2232, 2233; DE i.175), of the Cappadocian goddess Ma-Bellona, whose worship seems to have displaced that of the Latin Bellona during the empire. This temple was probably not built before the third century, and its site is unknown. It had no connection with the pulvinar of the circus Flaminius (HJ 554; WR 349-350; RE iii.256; PBS ix.205-213, where CIL xiii.7281, which refers to the restoration by the hastiferi (a priestly college of Bellona) Civitatis Mattiacorum of a Mons Vaticanus, is coupled with the existence of tombstones of her priests

The major difference between the Augurs and Etruscan Haruspices was the Augurs determined if a particular action was favored by the gods, while the Haruspices' pronouncements provided a glimpse into the future, however both used similar methods for their work. The respect of 'signs' from the gods has become a part of Italian culture throughout its history. Selected quotations: "There shall be three kinds of state priests: one to be in charge of ceremonies and sacred rites (sacra), another to interpret the obscure utterances of soothsayers and prophets, and the state augurs, the interpreters of Jupiter the Best and Greatest who shall foretell the future from signs and auspices, and shall maintain their discipline. And the augurs shall observe the omens in regard to vineyards and orchards and the welfare of the people; those who conduct war or civic matters shall be informed by them beforehand of the auspices and shall obey them; the priests shall foresee the anger of the gods and shall give way to it they shall observe lightning in fixed regions of the sky and shall keep free and demarcated the city, fields and places of observation. Whatever an augur shall declare to be unjust or unlawful, pernicious or ill-omened, shall be null and void." -Cicero, Laws 2.20-1 "Our public augurs set out in their discussions that there are five kinds of lands ? Roman lands, Gabine lands, also those that are foreign, lands that are hostile, and uncertain lands (Romanus, Gabinus, peregrinus, hosticus, and incertus). Roman lands they say are from where lies the city of Rome, founded by Romulus, and Gabine lands from the town of Gabii. The Peregrinus are those foreign lands that are peaceful and friendly, that are external to Rome and Gabii, who favor the same method of taking auspices. Peregrinus they say comes from "to proceed," that is "to go out from," as when the Romans traveled outside of their own lands. For which reason Gabine lands might also be considered peregrinus, except that with Rome they share a singular method of taking auspices, from however else they may be distinguished. The hosticus they say are the lands of the enemy, while incertus are those lands extending to the four quarters of the earth of which we are ignorant (Varro De Lingua Latina 5.53)." "Let the boundaries of my templa and the wild lands (tesca) be as I declare them with my words. That tree of whatever kind it is which I deem myself to have named, let it be the boundary of my templum and the wild land to the right. That tree, of whatever kind it is, insofar as I deem myself to have named it, let it be the boundary of my temple and the wild land on the left. Between these points I have established the templa and the wild lands by means of directing (conregione), viewing (conspicione), reflecting (cortumiones) as far as I have been most rightly aware of it within this limit." (Varro: On the Latin Language, VII.8) "When Numa's name was mentioned, though the Roman senators saw that the balance of power would be on the side of the Sabines if the king were chosen from amongst them, still no one ventured to propose a partisan of his own, or any senator, or citizen in preference to him. Accordingly they all to a man decreed that the crown should be offered to Numa Pompilius. He was invited to Rome, and following the precedent set by Romulus, when he obtained his crown through the augury which sanctioned the founding of the City, Numa ordered that in his case also the gods should be consulted. He was solemnly conducted by an augur, who was afterwards honoured by being made a State functionary for life, to the Arx, and took his seat on a stone facing south. The augur seated himself on his left hand, with his head covered, and holding in his right hand a curved staff without any knots, which they called a "lituus." After surveying the prospect over the City and surrounding country, he offered prayers and marked out the heavenly regions by an imaginary line from east to west; the southern he defined as "the right hand," the northern as "the left hand." He then fixed upon an object, as far as he could see, as a corresponding mark, and then transferring the lituus to his left hand, he laid his right upon Numa's head and offered this prayer: 'Father Jupiter, if it be heaven's will that this Numa Pompilius, whose head I hold, should be king of Rome, do thou signify it to us by sure signs within those boundaries which I have traced.' Then he described in the usual formula the augury which he desired should be sent. They were sent, and Numa being by them manifested to be king, came down from the templum." -Livy AUC I.18.617-33 "A sonivium tripudium, according to Appius Pulcher, was that named "attentive", being the sound made when the puls fell to the ground out of the mouths of chickens as though they ate like quadrupeds (Festus 297b)." "This augury is like that in the discipline of augurs, what is called a sonivium tripudium, i. e. a sound like that of a tree uprooted by an earth tremor and suddenly falls (Servius Ad Aen. 3.90)." "How the signal to fight was given in the army, the general under whose authority it served (imperium auspicumque) would be seated in the tabernaculum (under a tent in the auguralicum) on his magisterial stool in the presence of the army. The sacred chickens would be released from their coop into the area around his stool ... an announcement from ...the chickens ... a favourable omen seen by each (chicken) eating up grain so greedily that the corn falls from thier beaks to the ground, an announcement of a favourable omen. [Afterwards in silentium he seated himself once more and said, 'The cavalry and the infantry of the Latins and ... dressed for war ... how soever many of you are present so as to have seen the favourable omen, carry the message (to your troops). [The morale of the men was boistered by the fortunate announcement] ... by my imperium and faith ... what he undertakes may be advantageous, they proclaimed with a strong voice. Then the army formed into its battle line, there again the auspices were taken, again the hinderance (?) is attested to as was the customary method used to make ready the army for battle (Ad Aen. 10.241)."

And the aquisition of resource. Like it or not it is a fundamental part of the picture.

Can we assume that you will try your recpie and let us know how the eel tastes?

Welcome to UNRV! I'll have to rewatch that scene with Caesar again asking him to join him, because I think it was not specified what he was doing exactly. You know his place is not so small! He has a whole courtyard a various adjoining quarters for friends and slaves. He's not doing bad for himself in the big cramped city of Rome.

Caesar fought against an organized nation and won before: fellow Romans during the civil wars.

Only open minded archaeologists would even seek to preserve the colony. A construction crew would have destoryed it by now.

I have always been one to want to do a million things, and thus naturally have no time for anything. My Roman related wish-list activities include: 1. Reconquer the world in Barbarian Invasions using Western Roman Empire. 2. Conquer the world using RTW:RTR. 3. Experiment with barbarian factions in BI. 4. Read every last original source of the histories of the Roman Empire, itself a worthy venture but in order to: 5. Make a grand list of every last civil/religious/military office holder for the entire history of the Romans from the beginning to the end, everything from centurions to Emperors.

I'd be happy to complete the work, but I am wondering what exactly you are looking for. You mean include the men who you all have already, or provide more detail for those I listed? For many, there simply is little known of them.

Here are some more names and personalities. Granted, some are more useful than others, but I think it worthy of the ancestors to name all whom the tides of history have granted us, and you never know what little important tidbit you can find. Also...you know me, I love the obscure. Dionysius of Halicarnassus, 60/55 - 7 BC Greek teacher of rhetoric and a distinguished literary critic. Wrote on these topics and also wrote his Roman Antiquities in twenty books, a history of Rome from the legendary beginnings to 264 BC. Books I-X and most of XI still exist, with fragments of the rest. Very rhetorical and prone to inserting dubious speeches, still a valid and valuable source. Sextus Propertius, 50 - 2 BC One of the leading poets during the Augustus age and member of the Maecenas literary circle. His poems range from poetry devoted to his 'Cynthia' later to Augustan and national themes. Seneca the Elder, 55 BC - 41 AD Father of the famous philosopher, from Cordoba Spain. He wrote a collection of Debates and Pleadings composed of eighty-one subjects on criminal, civil and social themes based on hypothetical laws and situations. Velleius Paterculus, 20 BC - 30 AD Retired army officer from Campania, his only work is the Compendium of Roman History in two books, the first which survives in small part and the second fully intact. It is a weak, abridged history, very flattering to the aristocracy and worshipful of the imperial family, particularly Tiberius under whom Velleius served. Most valuable for data on Roman colonies and provincial history. Valerius Maximus, Reign of Tiberius Nothing is known of the man, other than the fact that he wrote Memorable Deeds and Sayings, a miscellaneous collection of facts and anecdotes in nine books. Used to serve as a repertory for rhetoricians and teachers, it still yet contains a few gems on Roman history and her institutions. Lucius Junius Moderatus Columella, Reign of Nero Retired army officer from Gades who later became a farmer in Italia. He wrote another Roman work On Landed Estates in twelve books and the book On Arboriculture. Most useful in seeing the changes in agriculture between the Republic and the Empire when compared to Cato and Varro. "He allows very readily, that the eyes and footsteps of the master are things most salutary to the land." Marcus Valerius Martialis, 38/41 - 100 AD Origionally from Bilbilis Spain, he spent much of his years in Rome as a man of letters and experienced all levels of Roman society. This is seen in his fifteen books Epigrams, a collections of thumbnail sketches of various men, women and customs, providing a very valuable resource for details of common life in Rome during the Flavian period. Dio Cocceianus Chrysostomus, 40 - 120 AD Dio Chrysostom came from a wealthy provincial family in Prusa, Bithynia. After becoming famous as a travelling lecturer, he later traveled to Italia and associated with the Imperial court. Exiled by Domitian, favored by Nerva and Trajan, his speeches are copious and not nearly all of them survive. What we do have consists of sophistic orations, moral discourses and political addresses. Noted for its content on local affairs in the Greek cities in Asia Minor. Lucius Annaeus Florus, Reign of Hadrian Little is known of him other than his birth in Africa province. His only work is a two book abridged panegyric history of Rome called Epitome of Roman History. It is devoted mostly to military events and takes much from Livy. Marcus Cornelius Fronto, 100 - 167 AD Born in Numidia, he was a master of rhetoric during his times, so much so that after a public career in Rome became the tutor for Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus. His Letters are a collection of pendantic instructional correspondences with his two imperial pupils. Provides a valuable picture of Marcus Aurelius. Lucius Apuleius, 125 - 171 AD A member of the provincial aristocracy in Madura Africa, he was a gifted lawyer, travelling lecturer and an opponent of Chirstianity. His literary interests involved mystical religions, magic and philosophy. What survives are his Apologia, a defense of himself against accusations of practicing magic, the Florida, a collection of his lectures and philosophical writings, and the Metamorphoses, a popular romance. His works are a valuable source of social life and the religious trends of the times. Pausanias, Reign of Marcus Aurelius Greek traveler and geographer, his Description of Greece served generally as a tourist guidebook and is useful for information on Greece under the Romans. Sextus Aurelius Victor, Reign of Julian Magistrate who served around 360 AD, also a historian who wrote on the Caesars, from Julius Caesar to Constantine. Known to have written Historia Romana in four parts. Athenaeus, Early 3rd Century A Greek born in Naucratis, Aegyptus, he moved to Rome where he wrote his Savants at Dinner, a miscellaneous collection of facts, quotations and anecdotes on various social, literary, and particularly culinary topics. Eutropius, Reign of Valens Little is known of the man other than the fact that he wrote a Compendium of Roman History that covers up to 364 AD. Mostly dependant on secondary sources, it helps fill in some gaps in the histories. Ambrosius Theodosius Marcrobius, 400 AD Little is known of Macrobius, but we do know he wrote the Saturnalia in seven books which contains micellaneous information on Roman antiquities. Particularly useful for its quotations of missing sections of earlier historians. Libanius, 314 - 393 AD Greek native of Antioch, he was a teacher of rhetoric, an orator and a man of letters. He was at the same time a zealous pagan and sympathetic of Christians. His surviving works consist of 1,500 letters and 64 speeches on the ideals of the upper classes of the eastern provinces, and are a priceless source of information on a wide range of topics on late Roman antiquity. Quintus Aurelius Symmachus, 340 - 402 AD The greatest orator of his day, traditionalist pagan and anti-Christian, he held high posts in the imperial administration. What survives are many of his letters, some state papers and panegyrics of Valentinian I and Gratian. Claudius Claudianus, 370 - 404 AD A native of Aegyptus, he was a prominent court poet, the last to write in a classical mode on many genres. Jordanis, 6th Century Of noble Goth or Alanic blood, served as a magistrate in Moesia, and then later took up Christianity as a monk. His Do origine actibusque Getarum serves as a valuable resource for the history of the Goths. Zosimus, 5th Century A Greek historian and a thurough pagan who yet held high offices, he wrote his New History in six books. It provides a brief outline of Trojan history then covers in detail Roman history from 305 - 410 AD, and is an indispensable source for these times. A major theme was the fall of the empire and his belief that it was due to the allowance of barbarians into Roman lands and the neglect of pagan gods with special hostility to Constantine. The 'Historia Augusta' No one knows who wrote it, and were they alive they probably would not admit it, but it serves as a monstrosity of falsification. It is a collection of thirty imperial biographies from 117 to 284 AD, presented with obvious trivial anecdotes and highly suspect 'documents' proving the content.

During the times of the early class struggles in the early Republic, back when the plebs were slowly wresting the powers from the patricians, this tactic was born. Many names are lost to us, but some still stand out, such as during the Hannabalic wars a number of the Servilians. You could get a lot of details from Friedrich Munzer's 'Roman Aristocratic Parties and Families,' a long-winded but fascinating book.

Glorify the empire? As fun as that would be for you or me, it is pretty much seen as un-American I bet, particularly in these current times.

Perhaps in some particular circumstances, but usually such a thing means isolating a group of men in territory that can be used by the natives. At night even imposing fortifications can seem small. The risk was probably the likelihood of these small outposts disappearing and not being sure which people to massacre or village to burn in reprisal.

I am still upset HBO cancelled Carnivale. I am hoping the same does not happen to ROME. Carnivale was given a second season as well and they were hoping to get more viewers. The worst part was Carnivale was cancelled before they got to finish the story and left us fans out to dry. Other HBO shows were given a chance to at least know it was their last season and finish up like 6 feet under, and sex and the city. Oh well. This weekend I watched an episode of Carnivale, the one where the ferris wheel had an accident and the blond stripper got married. Based just on this episode I don't know why people love it so much, was damn boring and sort of cliche. The only person I liked was the midget because he kept yelling at everyone. :*****:

It would probably be hard to mention them all right here, but it should not be forgotten that the Romans worked extensively through other peoples and nations. A special troop of some other people might actually be used by Rome herself. After all if someone else does it better, might as well just pay them to do it than get involved yourself.

It kicks just about every game I know, particularly in wargame strategy, right into the bucket. It would probably end up being one of the best games you will ever played knowing your interest in Roman history and the times. Only word of caution is the game requires a robust system to run. If you could describe your computer we could give you advice on that.

I wonder if I should continue. I totally missed that section. Since you guys have already done a great coverage of it I'll probably abandon the effort, thanks for letting me know haha. :bag: I do see a few missing though...

One of the most common information requests we hear at UNRV is for possible sources. Aside from archaeology, of course we depend on the surviving records of the ancients who recorded the happenings of their times to get an idea of what did occur. I would like to start a thread that can be used as a resource for scholars of the Roman history. I will provide an initial listing* with a brief description of each historian. I urge all members to add their comments or any historians which I may have missed, and I will regularly update the list below. I ask also that members better versed with the poets, playwrights and philosophers help me with their names and backgrounds. Ambrosius Theodosius Macrobius, 400 AD Little is known for certain of Macrobius, but we do know he wrote the Saturnalia in seven books which contains micellaneous information on Roman antiquities. Particularly useful for its quotations of missing sections of earlier historians. "Good laws have their origins in bad morals." Libanius, 314 - 393 AD Greek native of Antioch, he was a teacher of rhetoric, an orator and a man of letters. He was a devote pagan who withdrew from most public life and dedicated himself to his studies, though at one time he did communicate with the Emperor Julian. His surviving works consist of 1,544 letters, 51 declamationes, 57 hypotheses and 64 speeches on the ideals of the upper classes of the eastern provinces, and are a priceless source of information on a wide range of topics on late Roman antiquity. ""The festival of the Kalends is celebrated everywhere as far as the limits of the Roman Empire extend. . . . Everywhere may be seen carousals and well-laden tables; luxurious abundance is found in the houses of the rich, but also in the houses of the poor better food than usual is put on the table." Quintus Aurelius Symmachus, 340 - 402 AD The greatest orator of his day, traditionalist pagan and anti-Christian, he held high posts in the imperial administration. What survives are many of his letters, some state papers and panegyrics of Valentinian I and Gratian. Most known perhaps for speaking out against the removal of the Alter of Victory from the Senate House and his demands for tolaration of pagans in an increasingly radical Christian world. "We ask, then, for peace for the gods of our fathers and of our country. It is just that all worship should be considered as one." Claudius Claudianus, 370 - 404 AD A native of Aegyptus, he moved to Rome and became a prominent court poet, the last to write in a classical mode on many genres. His works are all in praise of his patrons Probinus and Olybrius, and in aid of Stilicho. Though pure propaganda they serve as a resource for a poorly covered time. "This is the city whom thou, Stilicho, and heaven guard, her thou protectest, mother of kings and generals, mother, above all, of thee. Here Eucherius first beheld the light, here the queen his mother showed the babe to his imperial grandsire who rejoiced to lift a grandson upon his knee and to let him crawl upon his purple robes. Rome had foreknowledge of his destined glory and was glad, for so dear a pledge would keep thee ever her faithful citizen." Jordanis, 6th Century Of noble Goth or Alanic blood, served as a magistrate in Moesia, and then later took up Christianity as a monk. His Do origine actibusque Getarum serves as a valuable resource for the history of the Goths and other nearby tribes. "This part of the Goths, which is said to have crossed the river and entered with Filimer into the country of Oium, came into possession of the desired land, and there they soon came upon the race of the Spali, joined battle with them and won the victory." Zosimus, Late 5th Century A Greek historian and a thorough pagan who yet held high offices in the Byzantine Empire, he wrote his New History in six books. It provides a brief outline of Trojan history then covers in detail Roman history from 305 - 410 AD, and is an indispensable source for these times. A major theme was the fall of the empire and the reasons for it, his belief that it was due to the allowance of barbarians into Roman lands and the neglect of pagan gods with special hostility to Constantine. His histories and ideas have always been under attack by Christians because of his beliefs, providing an invaluable different point of view on the histories he writes, correct or not. "He (Constantine) began his impiety by doubting divination; for since many of its predictions about his successes had been fulfilled, he was afraid that people enquiring about the future might hear prophecies about his misfortunes. For this reason he applied himself to the abolition of divination." The 'Historia Augusta' No one knows who wrote it, and were they alive they probably would not admit it, but it serves as a monstrosity of falsification. It is a collection of thirty imperial biographies from 117 to 284 AD, presented with obvious trivial anecdotes and highly suspect 'documents' proving the content. "He (Elagabalus) had the custom, moreover, of asking to dinner eight bald men, or else eight one-eyed men, or eight men who suffered from gout, or eight deaf men, or eight men of dark complexion, or eight tall men, or, again, eight fat men, his purpose being, in the case of these last, since they could not be accommodated on one couch, to call forth general laughter." *List of names and some author's biography taken from Naphtali Lewis and Meyer Reinhold's Roman Civilization - The Republic and the Augustan Age **Work in progress! TBC**

I wont attempt to defend the historical accuracy on this movie, because it was indeed lacking as most are. You have to admit though, Gladiator did us Roman fans a huge favor in putting it in the forefront in everyone's minds. Since then Roman history and knowledge I think has had a boost, and perhaps even the 'Rome' series owes it's life to the great movie which is Gladiator. Long live Ridley Scott!

Wow, that's pretty short. Is there more turns per year? Nope, two I believe. Ya the earlier version had more of a building theme, whereas BI kind of starts you at the gallop.

Wow...if this is true, it's one of those major finds we experience only a few times in a lifetime. Wow and wow, they better dig that up!

Heh, strange question. I don't know for sure, but my best guess would be that the Iphicrates did not have metal hobnails of the Roman soldiers (I think that's what you call them?) They just increased the lifetime of the leather sandal by absorbing much of the wear and tear. The bumps at the bottom: http://www.italianfront.com/caligaeBW2.jpg A real one: http://www.arch.wyjs.org.uk/AdvSrv/RomanWeb/images/rw20.jpg

Building walls and forts on the fly was not as huge a deal for the Roman legions. Remember that they rebuilt their fortified camp every time they moved from location to location in enemy territory, and the commanders were always eager to give their men something to do to keep them out of trouble. I guess it largely depends on the situations really. The Antonine wall for instance was built after campaigns in the north, and clearly its weak composition did not mark it as a defensive point worth worrying too much about. In the remote areas in Africa you probably saw disposable borderland forts for the purpose of keeping an eye out for nomadic raiding parties. For a time Agri Decumates was controlled by Roman forces; which probably mostly means there were forts located at various areas through this rough area, much more disposable than the Rhine forts. Beyond Arabia Petra, there have been found Roman forts deep into the desert beyond, probably as outposts to keep an eye on the desert nomads and provide assistance to caravans coming from the east. As time went on, I believe the later empire seems to have pulled back the area it considered indispensable, with a network of forts populated with limitani in the border areas like Germania Superior/Inferior, Noricum, Rhaeta, Pannonia, Moesia and so on. So I suppose these areas sort of fall into the category of your question. The Romans were if anything practical! They could be remarkably flexible for all sorts of military situations.

You see a great many instances where auxillary forces are stationed alone with responsibility to a given area. Of course, the emperors were not fools: they commonly stationed them in far off locations so as to isolate them, give them no connection to the people they garrisoned and focus them on their task. Two examples I can think of off the top of my head would be Sarmatians in Britannia and Batavians in Aegyptus. They recieved less pay than the legions except perhaps for some specific cases, and were trained as well or nearly as well as the legions. Not sure about the leadership of these units, but my guess is that the leaders were more trusted men early on in the empire, then later more men from the region the unit was from were put in (better trust, fewer Romans).