The Complete Roman Army

The Roman army was one of the most successful fighting forces in history. Its organization and tactics were highly advanced and were unequaled until the modern era. Spectacular monuments to its perseverance and engineering skill are still visible today, most notably Hadrian's Wall and the siegeworks around the fortress of Masada.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. The unprecedented scope and longevity of Roman military success is placed in the context of ordinary soldiers' daily lives, whether spent in the quiet routine of a peaceful garrison or in arduous campaign and violent combat. Key battles and tactics are described, and there are brief biographies of the great commanders.Drawing on archaeology, ancient art, and original documentary sources, this book presents the most convincing history ever published of the Roman army.… (more)

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LibraryThing member gmicksmith

This is the best one-volume work on the Roman army around. Goldsworthy is known for several of his other works but this really is an excellent review of the salient points regarding the Roman army over its long history.

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LibraryThing member janerawoof

A good solid general history of the Roman Army. Short history of Rome, how the Army developed through the years, day-to-day life of the soldiers, command structure and charts of a few of the most important battles. Since 2003 when it was published, I'm sure archaeologists and scholars have 'dug up'

[pun intended] more and possibly more accurate information. There was not enough on the Late Imperial army to suit me [8 pp.]; I had maybe a couple of questions the book did not answer. The index was barely adequate. The photos, drawings, and diagrams were fantastic!

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