Early German allies

[lionheartrjc]

Query initiated by Lawrence Greaves after I mentioned I was reviewing allied contingents. 

In DBMM this army has a list note that a German allied contingent in other lists need not contain otherwise compulsory foot. I suspect this is based on a specific battle or campaign, but Phil Barker doesn't tell us which one.

Can anyone help?

[DBS]

Interesting question.  Caesar had only German cavalry during the Gallic campaigns, but whilst very effective, they were very limited in number (a few hundred) and comprised hostages and the like, so not really an allied contingent as envisaged in most rules, rather a proto-auxiliary ala.  Perhaps more relevant to allied tribes supporting a primary German or Gallic tribe, might be quicker to send just cavalry (and essentially be aristocratic retinues in search of fun and profit)?  But pure speculation...

[Duncan Head]

The DBMM Early Imperial Roman list has:

Only if based in Germany from 16 BC to 16 AD:
Batavian or other German allies - List: Early German (Bk 2/47)    0-20

Were early Batavian contingents cavalry-only? (Cavalry and supporting light infantry would be legal - it's only "otherwise compulsory warband" who are excluded.) Allowing such allies by means of such a broad exclusion in the German list seems rather a blunt instrument, though.

[Imperial Dave]

Agreed. My assumption would be allies in whatever format available and surely therefore wouldn't all be mounted...?

[Ade G]

Agreed. My assumption would be allies in whatever format available and surely therefore wouldn't all be mounted...?

Unless they were coming from a long way away? (only half joking)

[Imperial Dave]