The Complete Roman Army

by Goldsworthy, Adrian

• ISBN13: 9780500051245
• ISBN10: 0500051240
• Edition: 00
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2003-10-27
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson

Summary

This book is the first to examine in detail not just the early imperial army, but also the citizens' militia of the republic and the army of the later empire. Every aspect of the Roman army, from the daily lives of individual soldiers to the outcome of major campaigns, is explored: '¢ The Republican Army considers the earliest armies, the creation of the Roman navy, and the militia army that conquered the Mediterranean. '¢ The Professional Army describes reforms under Marius and his successors and the creation of the new legionary structure. '¢ The Life of a Roman Soldier looks in detail at all aspects, from recruitment and daily routine to equipment and off-duty life. '¢ The Army at War reveals how the army operated, from grand tactics to hand-to-hand combat and siege warfare. '¢ The Army of Late Antiquity examines the reorganization after the defeats of the third century and the rise in the use of cavalry. Discussions of key Roman battles and brief biographies of the great commanders bring the army's campaigns and personalities to life, while hundreds of photographs, diagrams, and specially commissioned battle plans illustrate the many aspects of the Roman army over several centuries.

Table of Contents

Introduction: A Brief Survey of Roman History	p. 6
Chronology of Rome's Wars	p. 10
Map: The Rise of the Roman Empire	p. 14
The Republican Army
The Origins of the Roman Army	p. 20
The 'Polybian' Legion	p. 26
The Roman Navy	p. 34
The Militia Army: Triumphs and Decline	p. 43
The Professional Army
The Post-Marian Roman Army	p. 46
The Army of the Principate	p. 50
Senatorial Officers under the Principate	p. 60
Equestrian Officers under the Principate	p. 64
Other Officers: The Centurionate and Below	p. 68
The Life of a Roman Soldier
Joining the Roman Army	p. 76
Daily Routine	p. 82
The Rewards of Service	p. 94
Off Duty	p. 102
Religion	p. 108
After Service	p. 114
Equipment	p. 118
Peacetime Duties	p. 142
Frontiers	p. 152
The Army at War
On Campaign	p. 164
Battle	p. 174
Siege	p. 186
The Army of Late Antiquity
Changes in the Late Roman Army	p. 200
Soldiers and Warfare in Late Antiquity	p. 208
Glossary	p. 215
Further Reading	p. 217
Illustration Credits	p. 219
Acknowledgments	p. 219
Index	p. 220
Table of Contents provided by Blackwell. All Rights Reserved.