The Roman Army, 31 BC - AD 337: A Sourcebook(Routledge Sourcebooks for the Ancient World)

The Roman imperial army was unrivalled until recent times in its professional structure, efficient training, detailed organisation, and ordnance support. It was remarkable in an age of poor communications and limited technological advance. The army sustained a great empire militarily and politically. Firstly, its skill and success ensured Rome's domination, and secondly, the loyalty of the troops ensured the political survival of the emperors, who sought to preserve the fabric of government and make it work. The army was a vital element in the subsequent development of Western Civilisation. The large number of soldiers and their associated dependents meant that they had a large impact socially, economically, and culturally on the settlements that grew up round the camps and on some of the communities where they settled after discharge. The privileges of the soldiers set them apart from other men of their social class, and the enhanced position of veterans established them as a very important group in their own right, an integral part of the whole phenomenon of Roman government'. The study of the Roman army therefore embraces not only military but also political, social and economic history. This source book collects literary and epigraphic material, and papyri and coins which illustrate the varied aspects of army life both at war and at peace, and it takes account of evidence made available by recent archaeological investigations in many parts of the empire. Subjects covered include training, officers, the role of the emperor, fighting, community life, politics and veterans. The introductions to each section and the linking passages provide a narrative structure and explain difficulties of the source material.

Table of Contents:
Preface Acknowledgements Abbreviations List of Plates Maps Introduction: i)The Sources ii) The Army of the Republic 1. The Soldiers Recruitment Training Conditions of service Careers: i) legionaries ii) auxiliaries iii) urban soldiers 2. The Officers Centurions Prefects and tribunes Senior Officers 3. The Emperor as Commander-In-Chief The emperor with his troops The emperor as general Imperial military honours 4. The army in the field The disposition of the army Fighting Medical Service Incentives and punishments 5. The Army in peacetime Military life in and around the camp Soldiers as builders and engineers Religion Collegia 6. The Army, The Local Community, and the Law Soldiers in local life Soldiers, marriage, and family life Soldiers before the law Soldiers and Civilians 7. The Army in Politics 8. Veterans Discharge and benefits Colonies Role in local life 9. The Army in the Later Empire Select Bibliography Index of Translated Passages Index of Names and Subjects

Review :
..."a sourcebook of this source fills a definite need ." -"Religious Studies Review