Legion Count

[Gaius Octavius]

Whenever I read about legions, they are composed of 'X' thousands of men neatly comprised of 'Y' men per cohort. Multiply by 10 and, viola, that's a legion plus the cavalry.

If I am not in error, the legion had engineers, doctors, armorers, food and ammunition carriers, legate guards, etc. How were these set into the legion? As units, if so what were they called and how were they accounted for?

[roman wargamer]

a legio that is going to battle were normally runs 16,000 per legio. ( or more )

 

what is normally called the 6,000 are the commission member.

and the 4,000 supernumerary , and the cursores , axulliary and etc.

 

you need to take a deeper research to know them well and get oriented by their name and function.

[Furius Venator]

In the late republic/early empire many of the troops had specialisms (medic, clerk, ballista operator), but they fought in the line as required. Large numbers of slaves accompanied the army also. Many of the more menial tasks (mule handling etc) were handled by them.

 

Contrary to the extraordinary statement of roman wargamer, it is blindingly obvious from the sources and the history of all armies on campaign that most legions went into battle understrength. The auxiliaries were never counted as part of a legions strength but by the late republic they would upply the bulk of the cavalry and light infantry.