Ancient Rome was a highly militaristic culture, at war almost annually throughout the period of the republic. The expert contributors to this volume delve into this culture, offering an extensive account of the Roman army, from its beginnings to its transformation in the later Roman Empire.

Ancient Rome was a highly militaristic culture, at war almost annually throughout the period of the republic. The expert contributors to this volume delve into this culture, offering an extensive account of the Roman army, from its beginnings to its transformation in the later Roman Empire. Taking account of the latest scholarly and archaeological research, they examine the recruitment, training, organization, tactics, and weaponry that contributed to Rome’s effectiveness as a fighting machine.

The volume recognizes that, as a military force, the Roman army functioned in a landscape and was an integral part of Roman politics and society. The contributors therefore also explore the ecological, economic, social, and political factors that help to explain the characteristic features of the army and its development over time, covering such topics as: demography and manpower, the army as a community, the religions of the soldiers, the emperor as military commander, and veterans in society.

This companion provides an extensive account of the Roman army, exploring its role in Roman politics and society as well as the reasons for its effectiveness as a fighting force.

• An extensive account of the Roman army, from its beginnings to its transformation in the later Roman Empire
• Examines the army as a military machine – its recruitment, training, organization, tactics and weaponry
• Explores the relationship of the army to Roman politics, economics and society more broadly
• Considers the geography and climate of the lands in which the Romans fought
• Each chapter is written by a leading expert in a particular subfield and takes account of the latest scholarly and archaeological research in that area