Military and Geographic Elements of the Late Roman Empire

Entity Name	Type	Origin or Location	Loyalties	Weapons or Armor	Tactics or Characteristics	Associated Battles or Events	Source
Allemanni	tribe	Germany; across the Rhine	Not in source	Swords; javelins; darts	Repeated inroads; use of morning mists; fighting on foot; shouting battle cries; high physical strength and tall stature	War at Lentia; Battle of Strasburg	1
Chnodomarius	leader	Germany	Allemanni	Helmet blazing like fire; spear of formidable size	Ferocious and arrogant; led the left wing; dismounted to fight on foot; vast personal strength	Battle of Strasburg; defeat of Decentius	1
Goths	tribe	Beyond the Danube; Thrace	Fritigern	Roman arms taken from dead; swords; spears; bludgeons; arrows; javelins	Enclosure of waggons (chariot encampment); guerrilla tactics; plundering; unskilled in sieges; barritus (battle songs)	Battle of Salices; Battle of Hadrianople	1
Huns	tribe	Beyond the Sea of Azov; Frozen Ocean	Not in source	Missiles tipped with bone; swords; twisted cords to entangle enemies	Nomadic; lived on horseback; sudden dispersal and reunion; terrific yells; avoided forts; used iron to mark children's cheeks	Invasion of Alani and Goths; Battle of Hadrianople	1
Sarmatians	tribe	Beyond the Danube	Not in source	Long spears; breastplates made of horn layers on linen jackets	Predatory incursions; swift and manageable horses (chiefly geldings); covering vast spaces; use of spare chargers	Invasion of Pannonia and Mœsia; defeat by Constantius	1
Clibanarii	unit	Persia (style)	Roman Empire	Iron breastplates; coverings of iron; iron mail on limbs; belts of iron	Cavalry in complete armor; looked like statues; joints adapted to motion	Constantius's triumphal entry into Rome	1
Cornuti and Braccati	unit	Not in source	Roman Empire	Javelins; swords; shields	Veterans; frightening gestures; specialized battle cry; close quarters fighting	Battle of Strasburg	1
Batavi	unit	Not in source	Roman Empire	Not in source	Royal legion; formidable band; support of other lines; use of trumpets	Battle of Strasburg	1
Roman Infantry	unit	Not in source	Roman Empire	Shields; spears; javelins	Packing shields together; deployment into battle array; charging in plains; difficulty in narrow mountain defiles	Conflict with Isaurians near the river Melas	1
Isaurians	tribe	Isauria; high and pathless mountains	Not in source	Missiles; javelins; swords	Guerrilla warfare; climbing lofty crags; ambush of sailors; nocturnal raids; avoiding pitched battles in plains	Siege of Seleucia; incursion into Lycaonia; incursion into Pamphylia	1
Limigantes	tribe	Between the Danube and Parthiscus	Rebel slaves of Sarmatians	Shields; swords; javelins; daggers	Using boats of hollow trees; hidden in marshes; fighting with 'boar's head' formation (opposing them); treacherous during parleys	Defeat near the Parthiscus	1
Saracens	tribe	Cataracts of the Nile and borders of the Blemmyæ	Not in source	Spear; colored cloaks	Plundering like rapacious hawks; swift and active horses; speedy camels; nomadic wandering; half naked	Ranging up and down the country for plunder	1
Nohodares	leader	Persia	King of Persia	Not in source	Sudden incursion; novel plan to attack during a merchant fair; marching through deserts	Planned invasion of Osdroene	1
Serapio	leader	Germany	Allemanni	Not in source	Youthful; courageous; led the right wing	Battle of Strasburg	1
Paulus	leader	Spain	Emperor Constantius	Not in source	Secretary; inquisitorial investigations; nicknamed 'the Chain'; acute in secret ways to bring others into danger	Arrest of military officers in Britain favoring Magnentius	1

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