Quote Originally Posted by Vladimir View Post
I can negate your cavalry argument by reminding you that the Romans relied on their allies, or mercenaries, to provide cavalry support. I know the stirrup didn't come around until the 4th century AD or so they had the potential of acquiring better cavalry. The cavalry archers used by the Eastern Roman Empire would cause a lot of grief.

Again I suggest that the Romans would win an extended campaign due to their organization, discipline, and logistics.

Rome wasn't known for their cavalry nor archery. They pretty much suck at it. Mercenaries would be no match for the Japanese.

If we're talking about the Eastern Roman Empire, they're more a contemporary as they fell 200 years before the Sengoku Jidai. The Western Roman Empire army that we're being asked to compare is over 1500 years older. I think some people are assuming that there are 0 significant advances in metallurgy during all those years.

I don't think the Roman gladius can even compare to a modern steak knife.