Storming The Heavens: Soldiers, Emperors, And Civilians In The Roman Empire

by Antonio Santosuosso

In the closing years of the second century B.C., the ancient world watched as the Roman armies maintained clear superiority over all they surveyed. But, social turmoil prevailed at the heart of her territories, led by an increasing number of dispossessed farmers, too little manpower for the army, and an inevitable conflict with the allies who had fought side by side with the Romans to establish Roman dominion. Storming the Heavens looks at this dramatic history from a variety of angles. What changed most radically, Santosuosso argues, was the behavior of soldiers in the Roman armies. The troops became the enemies within, their pillage and slaughter of fellow citizens indiscriminate, their loyalty not to the Republic but to their leaders, as long as they were ample providers of booty. By opening the military ranks to all, the new army abandoned its role as depository of the values of the upper classes and the propertied. Instead, it became an institution of the poor and drain on the power of the Empire. Santosuosso also investigates other topics, such as the monopoly of military power in the hands of a few, the connection between the armed forces and the cherished values of the state, the manipulation of the lower classes so that they would accept the view of life, control, and power dictated by the oligarchy, and the subjugation and dehumanization of subject peoples, whether they be Gauls, Britons, Germans, Africans, or even the Romans themselves.

Genres: History, Roman History, Ancient History, Nonfiction

278 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Colin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A history of ancient Rome that I got from the library in Glendale, AZ. It's not bad, but I have to say, I personally got almost nothing out of it - it contained nothing I did not already know (now, I am a specialist in the field, so that's not really a valid criticism of the book, but . . . I mean . . . NOTHING new to me. At all. That was hard).

[Brady Clemens · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating look at the changing nature and role of the army in Rome, from the end of the Republic to the fall of Rome. Particularly interesting is the author's take on the numerous problems facing the late Roman Empire.