Description
Book SynopsisTrade Review“In his encyclopedic
Gladius, Guy de la Bédoyère collects pretty much every fact known about what it was like to be in the military arm of the Roman Empire." -- Thomas E. Ricks * The New York Times Book Review *
"A really splendid book that brings to life in its scholarship and animated style the lives of some of the most remarkable soldiers the world has ever seen. . . . [
Gladius] will be an absolute delight for those who are fascinated by the life and achievements of the world’s first and probably greatest professional army." * Military History Matters *
“
Gladius is a highly successful introduction to the life of the Roman soldier. Neither a history of the army nor a review of battlefield tactics, it instead studies daily life in military services far beyond the aspects of soldiering typically treated in history books. Making use of a wide range of sources, from stone inscriptions to colorful anecdotes, de la Bédoyère’s informative and readable book offers real immediacy to readers.” * Clifford Ando, University of Chicago *
“
Gladius is a necessary work for scholars of Roman history, but will also prove interesting and informative reading for the armchair historian.” * New York Military Affairs Review *
Table of ContentsMaps and plans
Foreword
1. Introduction—The Army of the Emperors
2. Strength and Honour—Signing On in Caesar’s Army
3. Gloria Exercitus—Making Soldiers
4. Gold and Silver—Pay, Handouts and Bequests
5. A Soldier’s Life—Garrisoning the Empire
6. Living Off the Land—The Roman Army and the Environment
7. Ignominy and Defeat—The Roman Army’s Darkest Days
8. I Came, I Saw, I Conquered—The Roman War Machine Victorious
9. Living by the Sword—Violence and Atrocities
10. Quinqueremes and Triremes—The Roman Army at Sea
11. Mutineers and Rebels—King-Makers for Sale
12. Peacetime Duties—Jacks-of-All-Trades
13. Leisure and Leave—Hunting Wild Boar and Other Diversions
14. Wives and Lovers—Family Life on the Frontier
15. Veterans—The Emperor’s Die-Hards
16. Jupiter’s Men—Religion and Superstition
Epilogue
Rome’s Principal Wars
Emperors from Augustus to Valentinian I and Valens
Tacitus and Dio on the Size of the Army
Roman Names
Glossary of Terms
Notes
Abbreviations and Bibliography
List of Illustrations
Acknowledgements
Index
