To be fair you could consider these figures as representing the batavian mercenarys who fought under their chieftain Chariovalda in the army of Germanicus, as such though I would consider them as an extension of the previous germanic Cavalry set....from the time of Augustus however the batavians would have formed Auxliary Alae within the roman army, and as such would have been equipted accordingly... later only the names would exist so the batavian units stationed at vindolanda probably had other nationality or tribesmen in there ranks...

cheers

"To be fair you could consider these figures as representing the batavian mercenarys who fought under their chieftain Chariovalda in the army of Germanicus, as such though I would consider them as an extension of the previous germanic Cavalry set....from the time of Augustus however..."

Well, I think you are quite mistaken here. The campaign of Germanicus took place in 16AD, that is AFTER Augustus' death in 14AD. The emperor at the time was Tiberius. Chieftain Chariovalda, in my opinion, was nothing else but the first commander of the ala Batavorum.

In Dubio, I dont see that this is a problem..I wasent suggesting that all germanic Auxilia were not equipt by the romans only that some 'may' not have been...

This is certainly the view of malcolm Todd in "the northern barbarians" Pg33

Cheers

Indubio, having thought it over I see your point, your absolutly right my mistake...Chariovalda must have been the original leader of alae batavorum...

cheers