"By 410 there were no Roman troops to take" I like your analysis but that is an incorrect statement, not supported by either written sources or archaeology. That Magnus Maximus took many soldiers to the continent is unfounded, based only on Gildas' later lament as well as several Medieval myths (such as that of Conan Meriadoc). Same with Constantine III - only Gildas lamenting that the island remained bare and undefended.. However, both generals/usurpers would have been crazy from a tactical point of view to leave their very base of operations undefended. You btw forgot the poet Salvian, who claimed Stilicho took 'a legion' from Britain inbetween the aforementioned guys. Anyway, no fort was left to rot around that period - the military sure did vanish at some point but most likely decades later. So what troops DID Maximus and Constantine take across the Channel? Apart from their bodyguards, most likely a few regiments of the field army units (Comitatenses) stationed in Britain, while perhaps rearranging some of the border guards (Limitanei). And perhaps (oh shock) they added dsome federates to beef up the defenses. But as others before them (recall Constantine I?) they did not (need to) 'denude' the island of troops (Gildas' claim) in any way. Most forces were to be found in Gaul.
Intriguing! 🤔
That's Zosimus' dog begging for attention!! 😆
😂
"By 410 there were no Roman troops to take"
I like your analysis but that is an incorrect statement, not supported by either written sources or archaeology.
That Magnus Maximus took many soldiers to the continent is unfounded, based only on Gildas' later lament as well as several Medieval myths (such as that of Conan Meriadoc).
Same with Constantine III - only Gildas lamenting that the island remained bare and undefended..
However, both generals/usurpers would have been crazy from a tactical point of view to leave their very base of operations undefended.
You btw forgot the poet Salvian, who claimed Stilicho took 'a legion' from Britain inbetween the aforementioned guys.
Anyway, no fort was left to rot around that period - the military sure did vanish at some point but most likely decades later.
So what troops DID Maximus and Constantine take across the Channel? Apart from their bodyguards, most likely a few regiments of the field army units (Comitatenses) stationed in Britain, while perhaps rearranging some of the border guards (Limitanei). And perhaps (oh shock) they added dsome federates to beef up the defenses.
But as others before them (recall Constantine I?) they did not (need to) 'denude' the island of troops (Gildas' claim) in any way. Most forces were to be found in Gaul.