The Roman Imperial Army of the first and second centuries A.D

by Graham Webster

This classic work of scholarship scrutinizes all aspects of Roman military forces throughout the Roman Empire, in Europe, North Africa, and the Near and Middle East. Graham Webster describes the Roman army's composition, frontier systems, camps and forts, activities in the field (including battle tactics, signaling, and medical services), and peacetime duties, as well as the army's overall influence in the Empire. First published in 1969, the work is corrected and expanded in this third edition, which includes new information from excavations and the findings of contemporary scholars. Hugh Elton provides an introduction surveying scholarship on the Roman army since the last edition of 1985.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Military History, Military Fiction, Ancient History, Roman

334 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

Lecturer in Romano-British Archaeology, then Senior Lecturer, then Reader, Extra-Mural Department, Birmingham University 1954-80; President, Shropshire Archaeological Society 1975-2001; OBE 1982.

An expert in the field of the Roman army, Webster can also lay a claim to have been one of the modern founders of the study of Roman pottery in Britain and to have done pioneering studies in many of the more obscure areas of Romano-British studies, ranging from his early work on the use of coal in Roman Britain through to his last major work, on Romano-Celtic religion.

Reviews

[Checkman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Graham Webster's book is considered to be one of the definitive works on the Roman Army. It is most definitely that, but it isn't for the beginner or the casual reader. Professor Webster writes the book with the eye of an archeologist. The chapters are very specific and dedicated to such topics as the soldiers clothes, armor, weapons, religious practices, the layout of their camps and forts, their daily rituals, tactics, organization in the field and in garrison.

There are other chapters as well but this gives you a clear idea of what the book is about. It isn't an historical account of battles, campaigns, and politics. This is a book about the institution itself. For those who are truly interested in all things Roman then this is the book for you. I've read it several times over the past fifteen years and I never grow tired of it.

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compact, complete work on the Roman Imperial Army that covers just about everything one would want to know about the legions, inlcuding how they were named and where they were stationed. This is an excellent resource for the non-specialist and should be combined with Goldsworthy's more recent work. Very good read, you won't get bogged down.

[Paul Overend · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE book on the topic. Broken down by subject area with each chapter looking at the soldiers uniforms, daily routine, equipment, organization, leadership, training, encampments &c.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very dense and detailed book, explaining the various facets of the army life, from leadership to daily life to equipment and organization, along with the archeological discoveries or writings that led to those conclusions.

[S. D. Howarth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very comprehensive work that covers all aspects of Roman Army Structure, logistics and encampment. If you need to research the subject I would highly recommend this work.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-presented, describing most aspects of the Roman army, both in war and peace.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone interested in the details of a Roman Legion from their organization to their religious practices will find this a useful reference manual.

[Zac Matthews]

Read most of it for an Ancient Warfare class. Good stuff.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Roman army changed over time. This work looks at the composition, structures, and strategies during the Imperial period. A useful reference tool.