Product Description

The problems facing the late Roman Empire were legion and had to be dealt with accordingly. This meant that the Roman army had to adapt or die. This book gives a stimulating overview of how the army adapted and changed to meet these challenges.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #292096 in Books
• Published on: 2000-01-20
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

Review

'The book is both readable and enjoyable, and it can be heartily recommended as a starting point for the study of the Late Roman army.' - The Classical Review

'There is much in this book to be lauded, and it will be a useful tool for students and teachers of Roman military history and archaeology.' - Jane Webster, University of Leicester

From the Back Cover
The problems faced by the late Empire were not radically different from those confronting its earlier counterpart. However, in the later period at least from the reign of Septimius Severus (193211) onwards the attacks on the frontier, the internal unrest, the revolts, usurpations and civil wars were continuous, contemporaneous and continental in scope. Scarcely a part of the Empire was unaffected, some areas being forced to deal with several serious problems at the same time.
How and how effectively the Roman army adapted itself to meet these growing threats is the subject of this wide-ranging study. The final version of the late Roman army owes its origin to the reforms of Diocletian and Constantine particularly the creation of the field army and the frontier army but the role of the army in the post-Constantinian period is also explored.
Using the full range of original literary sources, modern continental scholarship and current archaeology, The Late Roman Army, now available in paperback

Customer Reviews

Well researched and referenced guide to Late Roman military life
Pat Southern and Karen Dixon provide an overview of the army in the historical period from Septimius Severus up to the beginning of the sixth century, including recruitment, pay and conditions, with a useful and well illustrated section on the equipment used, including a more detailed focus on helmet types, as well as discussing fortifications and siege warfare.

They describe the reforms of Diocletian and Constantine - particularly the origin of the Comitatenses, or field armies as distinct from the frontier army and give a good impression of the complexity of the debate surrounding the shifting definitions and structures as the period progressed.

The authors include an interesting discussion of morale, motivation and identity in the context of increasing cultural mix within the late Roman army. It has been criticised for containing some mistakes and for its caution in drawing new academic conclusions, but provides an excellent starting-point for study, particularly for those enthusiastic amateurs looking for an expanded and more heavily referenced progression from more introductory titles, such as the 'Osprey' series.