Naming and numbering of Roman Legions

[guy]

 

Here's an interesting video on the naming and numbering of the Roman legions

 

[Pompieus]

There is no evidence that the Xth Legion of the Gallic War was raised by Caesar while propraetor in Farther Spain.  It is not even likely that the "10 cohorts" Plutarch mentions that Caesar raised in Spain were a iusta legio.  This nonsense, apparently, originated in Dando-Collins and has achieved internet validation.  

Republican legions had no permanent existence, identity or number. And as they were composed of Roman citizens, they were raised in Italy south of the Po, not in the provinces.  If Caesar brought troops back from Spain they would have been demobilized when his imperium lapsed.

[sonic]

17 hours ago, Pompieus said:

There is no evidence that the Xth Legion of the Gallic War was raised by Caesar while propraetor in Farther Spain.  It is not even likely that the "10 cohorts" Plutarch mentions that Caesar raised in Spain were a iusta legio.  This nonsense, apparently, originated in Dando-Collins and has achieved internet validation.  

Republican legions had no permanent existence, identity or number. And as they were composed of Roman citizens, they were raised in Italy south of the Po, not in the provinces.  If Caesar brought troops back from Spain they would have been demobilized when his imperium lapsed.

The major problem faced here is that the general public want a simple description of how the legions were formed, deployed and disbanded. Because of their need for a straightforward narrative, books such as that by Dando-Collins, which purports to give a straightforward narrative, are bought, read and believed by those with a general interest in the Roman Legions.  Consequently, any information which goes against the simple narrative are discounted 'because Dando-Collins says so'.

The next stage is that this information passes into 'everyone knows' territory and so becomes accepted as fact, appearing in other books and on TV/the internet.

Hopefully sites such as UNRV can help to correct the spread of false information.

 

[Pompieus]

I suppose you are right...facts are mere irritations when they contradict people's pre-conceived notions.   So much for this iteration of western Civilization.

I continue to tilt against windmills for L Keppie "Making the Roman Army" as the best source.