Due to the Empire falling to pieces, Roman forces in the 5th century AD, the final century of the Western Roman Empire, were severely degraded. While well-equipped Roman troops continued to exist, typically accompanying the Emperor, most were, at this time, literal barbarians (‘foederati’, or ‘allies’) or ‘limitanei’ - ill-equipped border troops of the kind shown here. Fallen quite a ways from the professional legions of the old days!
Explanation: A rare, if older, bit of OC from me!
Due to the Empire falling to pieces, Roman forces in the 5th century AD, the final century of the Western Roman Empire, were severely degraded. While well-equipped Roman troops continued to exist, typically accompanying the Emperor, most were, at this time, literal barbarians (‘foederati’, or ‘allies’) or ‘limitanei’ - ill-equipped border troops of the kind shown here. Fallen quite a ways from the professional legions of the old days!