The Roman Army: A Social and Institutional HistoryWritten by a leading authority on Roman military history, this fascinating volume spans over a thousand years as it offers a memorable picture of one of the world's most noted fighting forces, paying special attention to the life of the common soldier. Southern here illuminates the Roman army's history, culture, and organization, providing fascinating details on topics such as military music, holidays, strategy, the construction of Roman fortresses and forts, the most common battle formations, and the many tools of war, from spears, bows and arrows, swords, and slingshots, to the large catapulta (which fired giant arrows and bolts) and the ballista (which hurled huge stones). Perhaps most interesting are the details Southern provides about everyday life in the Roman army, everything from the soldiers pay (they were paid three times per year, but money was deducted for such items as food, clothing, weapons, the burial club, the pension scheme, and so on) to their often brutal life--if whole units turned and ran, about one-tenth of the men concerned were chosen by lot and clubbed to death and the rest were put on barley rations instead of wheat. Moreover, soldiers who lost weapons or their shields would fight savagely to get them back or would die in the process, rather than suffer the shame that attached to throwing weapons away or running from the battle. Attractively illustrated, this book offers a fascinating look at the life of the Roman soldier, drawing on everything from Rome's rich historical and archaeological record to soldier's personal correspondence to depictions of military subjects in literature and art. |
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Common terms and phrases
administrative allies appointed armor arms attack Augustus authors auxiliary battle Britain building Caesar called camp campaign career carried cavalry centurion century citizens civil civilian cohorts command consuls Dacia described detail early eastern emperor Empire enemy established evidence fight followed forces forts four frontiers Gaul Germany governor Greek guard Imperial important included infantry inscriptions Italy known land late later legionary legions London Marcus means military officers original perhaps period political Pompey possible Praetorian probably problem provinces raised rank records recruits reign remained Republic Republican Roman army Rome says Senate sent served Severus soldiers sometimes sources standard supply term territory third century Tiberius tion took tribes tribunes troops units usually various walls wars
References to this book
Utopia Antiqua: Readings of the Golden Age and Decline at Rome Rhiannon Evans No preview available - 2008 |