Shane's Reviews > The Complete Roman Army

If you are looking for a terrific, detailed look at the Roman military look no further. It's true that naval warfare and marine engagements are given short shrift, but fighting on water was never the Roman preference anyway. For a look at the legions - for most of Roman history the well-trained, well-equipped, multi-skilled land army - this book is the best you'll find.

The book covers 500 years of history, but the time up to Augustus and the Principate is given only 50 pages or so at the beginning of the book, and late antiquity (civil wars, the fall of the West) is given even shorter shrift. However, this leaves 150 or so pages of detailed analysis on all aspects of the late-Republic and Imperial army. This includes equipment and organization, recruitment and training, duty rosters (and even what legionnaires did off duty), religion sieges and heavy equipment, logistics and much more. For example, the author talks about the ways that ancient armies greeted each other, their contrasting methods of attempting to intimidate - Germans with war cries, Romans with a near silent, relentless approach until in spear throwing range when they toss, bellow and surge forward. I've read a lot of Roman history, but I've never had as clear a picture of what a legionnaire did in battle as I did from The Complete Roman Army.

In my opinion, the best parts of this book are those that try to get "down and dirty" with ancient soldiers and officers. A lot of time is spent explaining who these people were, where they came from and what their lives were like. I especially liked how in places the author contrasted the best available evidence with the Hollywood image and explicitly states that "though you've seen that on the big screen, what probably happened is this instead." Mr. Goldworthy explains both strategy and tactics in detail, down to the level of a front line soldier clashing with his enemy. These sections paint a vivid picture of these people's lives, some of the most dangerous and pointed moments of their lives, and makes their world breathe again.

This is an excellent book on the subject, good for a read-through and as a check-a-topic reference. If you are interested in the topic check this one out.