sonic

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.

In my opinion it was a combined effect of multiple problems. Civil wars, the refusal of the rich to pay the taxes needed to fund the army, the loss of recruiting areas, multiple attacks on various fronts, the loss of loyalty around the fringes, amongst others. Oh, and the birth of Gaiseric - the only man whose actions helped speed the decline!

Actually, a more relevant book would be the one on Gaiseric: https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Gaiseric-Hardback/p/13684

Not fond of "one". Strangely, it's the hook and the riff of the Ghost song that have caught me, rather than the lyrics.

A bit darker ....

Oh, and I'm almost certain that Stilicho and Alaric were not 'friends'. They probably saw each other as individuals who could help them reach their personal goals, but as their goals were not the same, it would be more of a political balance rather than a friendship. Alaric was twice defeated by Stilicho, and Stilicho wanted to use Alaric for his own agenda. I don't think Alaric, twice defeated and with his own ambitions stymied by Stilicho, would count Stilicho as a friend. They both wanted the Roman senate to accede to their demands, so it's probably better to see them both as thinking 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend' in this case. But I could be wrong!

To put it mildly, and this is not a criticism - it's impossible to cover so long a period in a short video - the video is simplistic, leaves out many cogent details, and the maps with arrows plus those with large areas settled by the barbarians can be very confusing. The video has some areas where I disagree, but have to accept that other interpretations are possible. Specifically, although I agree with the assumption that the Battle of the Frigidus was a major factor, and Stilicho almost certainly withdrew troops from the frontier to defend Italy, there are other factors either attributed without evidence, overlooked or skipped over. For example, the Romans were never seen as 'invincible', but were acknowledged as extremely dangerous and an attack was likely to provoke a response. At least until later. If seen as invincible, no one would have dared to attack. And there are several defeats throughout the period (upcoming: Hughes, probably late 2022/early 2023, but covering Rome's existence). Also, there is no contemporary evidence that the Rhine was frozen (although this is acknowledged in the video). However, overlooked is the fact that the numbers of people crossing the Rhine was probably far smaller than previously thought, and although there is the acceptance that the loss at the Frigidus was a major factor, the video covers neither the loss of the Illyrian recruiting grounds to the Eastern half of the Empire, nor Stilicho's plan to use Alaric in an Invasion to recover Illyricum, which would also account for the focus being away from the Rhine. In my opinion, these are just a few things that should be borne in mind. (Other opinions are available!!)

Stilicho's seeming inaction in 406 is also explained by his proposed campaign in Illyricum, as part of which Alaric would be dispatched.

'Roman propaganda'? How dare you - the Romans are always fair and reliable!! 🤣 I'm not great at Persian and Armenian sources, but thankfully many of them are now translated. These are also slightly biased, and, as written later, can be difficult to relate historically.

Not a bad idea. Not sure if the sources would give the information needed, but the idea deserves some thought.

I am currently writing the last book for which I have a contract ('Thirteen Roman Defeats'). If I ever decide to write another, is there any subject members would like to see covered? No guarantees ....

Chuff me!! I wish I could afford one ....

Finally, the last in the series of books covering the last century of the Western Roman Empire is now available for pre-order: Constantius III Cheers

Next screen play? I've not written a first, yet!!

Mutter has to be one of my favourite albums of all time!