'For who is so worthless or indolent as not to wish to know by what means and under what system of polity the Romans in less than 53 years have succeeded in subjecting nearly the whole inhabited world to their sole government, a thing unique in history?' - [Polybius]. Who indeed? And, as Michael Simkins points out in the introduction, probably the most fruitful of the Romans for such study are their soldiers. Although the common fighting men themselves have left no account, much literature has survived from antiquity. Add to these archaeological finds in large numbers, plus the study of surviving Roman sculpture and historians have been able to learn much about the nature of the Roman army which did indeed, conquer an astonishing expanse of territory. Michael Simkins covers such topics as army composition, recruitment, training, campaign routine and providing a wealth of detail on weapons, uniforms and equipment. There are numerous illustrations and museum photographs throughout along with eight full page colour plates by Ron Embleton.

Contents

• Chronology
• Introduction
• The Compostion of the Army
• Entry, Training and Campaign Routines
• Arms and Armour
• Conclusion
• The Plates

Osprey Men-at-Arms