"Early Roman Civil War Armies" Topic

Maybe some of our better classical scholars can comment on the equipment and appearance of the armies and units raised at the start the civil wars. In the time of Sulla we read of Pompey raising three legions in Italy, later Lepidus raises forces in Cis and Trans Alpine Gaul, Sertorious raises troops in Spain….not all of these could be fully equiped legions. Although some are termed as such. I assume some would have actual Roman kit, others would appear more as native auxilaries. Its a shame that there is no equivalent to Caesar to provide even a biased narrative of these seemingly interesting campaigns.

not all of these could be fully equipped legions.

Why not?

Why not?

Indeed.

1. It's difficult to overstate the wealth and power of the men like Pompeii. Owning immensely vast tracks of land and having huge cash reserves, they were literally able to raise, equip and pay several legions out of their own pocket. Pompeii is probably the most extreme example, as his huge estates gave him a ready source of manpower via the patron-client relationship, with the bonus that many of his smallholder clients were his and his father's veterans from previous campaigns. He also had the advantage of reputation, which is a great recruiting tool, particularly in a civil war.

2. I think it's accepted that Sertorius had some native Iberians drilled and organized as legions, while having the bulk fight in native style. He was also able to raise legions from Roman prisoners, deserters, and refugees. I can't recall off the top of my head, but I believe he may also have had entire legions go over to him. Were his native "Spanish" legionaries equipped in Roman style? Possibly. Policing the battlefield for useable weapons and armor was a long-established Roman practice. Sertorius should have been able to equip a few legions from the refuse of his early victories.

3. Although the State had taken much of the burden of equipping the legions via the "Marian" reforms, magnates like Pompeii, Marius, the Caecilii Metelli, etc., could purchase arms and armor from the same contractors who supplied the State. Veterans also rejoined partially and sometimes fully equipped.

When Pompey raised those first legions he was not yet the great magnate that he became, but very much an unknown quantity. And I may be wrong, but I do not think that piles of lorica hamata were just lying around waiting to be issued, especially in Spain and Gaul. I am, however sure that any Roman General worth his salt, would want troops that met a minimum standard, but when push came to shove any troops could be put in line.

When Pompey raised those first legions he was not yet the great magnate that he became, but very much an unknown quantity.

He actually began his career as a teenager, under his father Gn. Pompeius Strabo, arguably the dominant power in northeastern Italy and virtual king of Picenum. By the time of his father's death he had several campaigns under his belt, and so was a known quantity to his father's veterans. More importantly, he inherited his father's lands and clientele. Even as a young man in his twenties, he was able to raise and field several legions on his own.

The essential of the legionary equipment of the time was pilum, thrusting sword, helmet and scutum.
I imagine that these would be locally manufacturable. The gladius is known as the Spanish sword as its origins are likely Spain and chainmail originated with the Gauls.
The slave/penal legions of the Second Punic War used captured Gallic weapons and armor.
The legions were more than just weapons and armor of particular types. It was a system of fighting and training that made them what they were more than any particular style of equipment.

Since the ancient authors don't mention that any of these legions were ill-equipped, we have to assume that levels of equipment met the generally accepted standard, whatever that was. We might as well assume that all soldiers had a lorica.