Before I started reviewing Osprey's books, I had little interest in things that were pre-industrial age. However, I'm slowly starting to appreciate things that happened before then and even into antiquity. The era of Roman rule was one that started out slowly, but by warfare or treaty (generally warfare), they expanded to rule over nearly all of the Western world. Rome of Agustus was also one that established, for the first time, a standing army. Now it was possible for a citizen to make a career out of military service where before, they were just called up for the duration of a campaign.

However, as is often the case, the army was not loyal to the lawmakers of the country but to the emperor himself. This provided one man with a great deal of power and also provided the possibility of being overthrown.

Unlike times before, men were signed on for terms of 25 years, and many stayed on longer. The specialized Praetorian Guard was a 16 year enlistment. Even the auxiliary troops were trained to the same levels as the standard legionnaires. These auxiliary troops were generally from the provinces and fringes of the Empire, but the promise of Roman citizenship was a strong one and quickly swelled the ranks. This gave Rome the strongest military force in the world at that time. It enabled Rome to defeat the Gauls and to move its influence north into the British Isles. 

Nic Fields takes a look at how Rome's fighting men of the time were organized as well as the various leaders. He then goes into the way the populace looked upon and supported military service, the way Rome's legions were controlled and how Roman doctrine was enforced. There is also a section on Roman engineering in terms of fortresses and siege works.

The book is enhanced by a superb selection of maps and charts as well as a look at surviving artifacts that help piece together one of the most turbulent periods of time in the Western world.

It all makes for a book that is quite interesting and informative. Like all of Osprey's titles, it is one that you can buy with confidence in knowing you are getting the best.

May 2009

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