"EIR "Legion" unit in Warmaster Ancients? (2nd try w/o Bug)" Topic

Perhaps someone can help me here. I know WMA is abstracted, but here is the description for a Legion unit:

"Legion. The standard legionary cohort--well trained and equipped troops making up the rank and file of every Roman legion."

Does the entire 3-stand unit represent one cohort? That would make a legion 10 units for 800 points. I am assuming that this is correct? (The other is that each stand is a cohort, while the 3rd option is "who cares--it's Warmaster!" LoL)

Auxiliaries units are "standard auxiliary cohorts," which makes sense since they operated only as cohorts IIRC.

Finally, did all cohorts in a legion have the same shield pattern and colors? I'm just trying to be somewhat historical, even when using small scale miniatures.

If you try to be very historical you will probably create a lot of unnecessary hassle for yourself.

e.g The first cohort was usually much bigger than the others. Usually only 8 cohorts take the field.

You might find a lot of fun by looking at Legions of Rome by Dando-collins. Shows a lot of great shield patterns too.
Also read Cheesman auxilia of the Roman empre

Both available cheaply.

martin

I understand the evidence for shield designs is sketchy at best with some legions known to have had certain devices but nothing as specific as sub-legion unit markings are known.
I recall there's a theory that the number of discs on the signum referred to the cohort but that's disputed.

I don't know the Warmaster rules but a legion is ten cohorts with the first cohort 2/3rds larger than the other nine.

Counting them as Cohorts seems sensible. If you don't want them all to have the same shields you could always organise the cohorts into vexillation from different legions.

I'd go with your 3rd option personally… possibly with an added caveat of "if this was a Hollywood film, would it look cool and not be far enough away from history to make you switch off?"

😎

madaxeman, that is good advice that I never thought about! Dang!

Thanks for the book suggestions, Martin. Kindle has them really cheap and I got some credit to spend.

Thanks to Rupert as well.