Product Description

Ancient Rome was uniquely bellicose. Her legionaries are often cited as the original professional soldiers and famed for their iron discipline, but they were also formidable individual warriors, sometimes berserks, who gloried in single combat, taking heads and despoiling their enemies. They were men who believed they were sired by a god of war, driven by the need to create and sustain heroic reputations, and who disrobed in public to display battle scars. Yet these same warriors read philosophy, wrote history and recited poetry. For the Glory of Rome introduces the heroic, yet utterly ruthless, men who carved out the Roman Empire. The author examines the deeds of men like Siccius Dentatus, the victor of eight single combats and a hero of the common people; Decius Mus, the consul who charged into the midst of the enemy at Sentinum to devote himself to the gods of the Underworld; and the feuding centurions Pullo and Vorenus, rivals for every post and honour but bound together by their loyalty to Caesar. Ross Cowan explores the mindset of the Roman fighting men, examining their motivation, beliefs and superstitions, illuminating why they fought and died for the glory of Rome.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #664837 in Books
• Published on: 2007-05-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 1.19" h x 6.66" w x 9.50" l, 1.28 pounds
• Binding: Hardcover
• 272 pages

Features

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• Mint Condition
• Dispatch same day for order received before 12 noon
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Review
This book builds an eye opening picture of the true Soldier of Rome from the Republic to the late Empire...very well written and readable...I can recommend this book even if you do not have a direct interest in the Roman army as it is a good read for anyone with an interest in widening their knowledge of Roman history. --Military Modelcraft International, January 2009

About the Author
Ross H. Cowan studied Classics at the University of Glasgow, where he also wrote his doctoral thesis about elite units of the Roman Imperial Army the Praetorian Guard and Second Parthian Legion. He is the author of two books about the Imperial legions and has written many articles on all aspects of the Roman Army. He lives and works near Glasgow.