The pedites nudati again: two matters pertaining to late-Roman infantry equipment

This article elaborates on recent research concerning Roman infantry equipment of the Late Empire. In particular, it offers a more nuanced understanding of Vegetius’ reference to pedites nudati in the Epitoma Rei Militaris. The first section, by looking at various ancient descriptions of the performance of the Roman infantry at Adrianople, determines whether Vegetius really did allude to this epoch-making battle in the Epitoma. In the second section, the article turns its attention to revisiting a passage in Ammianus’ Res Gestae describing Roman soldiers wearing armour during the reign of Gratian — contrary to what we are told by Vegetius.