Are Polybian Units better than Marian? Discussion about Stats

[Gaivs]

Well, the very first "Mules" (the drafts of reinforcements for the Numidian War) were trained by Publius Rutilius Rufus, who even wrote a manual on the training of troops (which unfortunately hasn't survived).

Well actually after Marius gained his first consulship he had to levy fresh troops. The Senate hoped he would lose his popular support after the resentment of levy, but anyway.. Marius levied enough troops to bring the current legions in Africa up to strength. After the African campaign, Marius disbanded his army and took over the troops from Rutilius Rufus that he had been training. Point is, the first mules were Marius' men he levied for the African campaign, as its common knowledge among Marius adaptations were his banning baggage train and pack mules. After all, they are called Marius' mules and not Rufus' mules for a reason.

[mcantu]

what is the break-down of the 22 defense the Cohors Reformata has? (armor, defense skill, shield...)

[konny]

Must be the missing greave.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

The evidence suggests that a Marian unit could be levied, equipped and then shipped out in a matter of weeks. The Centurians were responsible for training and there was no formal manual, much like the American Army until the 1970's. It was generally reconned that it took 4 months to train a legionary so a fair bit of the more advanced stuff was done on campaign. The Evocata represent re-enlisted men, be it 5 or 20 years service. The long-standing units would be represented by Cohors Reformata with chevrons.

[Gaivs]

Cohors Reformata are lethal when you get a few chevrons, so just wait until they have fought a few battles and it will get easier and easier.

[mcantu]

the only possible issue i see is that the cohors reformata might be missing 1 point of armor based on the skin...

[Apgad]

I just finished a book by Stephen Dando-Collins called "Caesars Legion", which follows the Tenth from it's very first enlistment in Spain by Julius Caesar, through his Iberian and Gallic campaigns, civil wars, and service in the East for hundreds of years. It contains a lot of details that I wasn't aware of, such as legions not being "topped up" with new recruits between enlistment years (16 years initially, increased to 20 by Augustus). Using this "enlistment factor" they can determine the average age and experience of a legion at various times throughout history.

It's a fairly interesting read for a non-fiction book, and not especially "heavy", so easy to follow. I'd recommend it for anyone following this thread wanting to find a little more detail, without wanting to have to read a scholarly text.