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Title: La datazione dell'Epitoma rei militaris e la genesi dell'esercito tardoromano
Subtitle: La politica militare di Teodosio I, Veg. r. mil. 1.20.2-5 e Teodosio II
Author(s): COLOMBO, Maurizio
Journal: Ancient Society
Volume: 42    Date: 2012   
Pages: 255-292
DOI: 10.2143/AS.42.0.2172294

Abstract :
Dating the Epitoma rei militaris and identifying the emperor the work is dedicated to form a lively topic that is still open to debate. Here the scholars of Late Antiquity will find a new approach to the issue. A systematic cross-check of the Epitoma against other authors (mainly Ammianus Marcellinus and Mauricius), a careful examination of the iconographical sources and a thorough reading of the Notitia Dignitatum Orientis bring evidence that infantry downgrade and cavalry rise were choices Theodosius I is to blame for, represented features specific to the Eastern army and mirrored changes made long before Vegetius. The whole of the analysis leads to ground-breaking results: the Epitoma rei militaris was written about 435 in the Eastern Roman Empire and dedicated to Theodosius II. This hypothesis seems to match up with many points of the work.

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