SIMON NORTHWOOD

This book combines Men-at-Arms 283: 'Early Roman Armies', Men-at-Arms 291: 'Republican Roman Army 200-104 BC' and Men-at-Arms 46 'The Roman Army from Caesar to Trajan'. Tradition has it that Rome was founded in 753BC by Romulus and Remus, sons of the god Mars. From these humble beginnings grew a political and military culture that enabled Rome to expand territorially and secure her ever-stretching borders. By colonisation, conquest and alliance, through monarchy, republic, civil war and Imperial dynasty, Rome held dominion over a huge swathe of territory and peoples by the 1st century AD, covering Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Yet the delivery, maintenance and administration of such power and riches were founded upon one thing alone - the military might of her army. This book investigates the development and growth of the Roman fighting machine, both infantry and cavalry. From the necessities of consolidation and defence, through to the naked ambition of conquest and domination, the weapons, armour, equipment and dress that the Roman soldier used are finely detailed: close attention is also paid to tactics, training, and organisation.