The Roman Army reigned supreme for over 1,000 years. From Britain to Syria, and from the Rhine and Danube to North Africa, there is abundant evidence of the activities of its legionaries and auxiliary soldiers. After the defeat of Antony and Cleopatra in 30 BC Augustus turned the troops of the Republic into the world’s first major standing army, recruiting soldiers from all over the Roman world. Around a third of a million men policed and protected the Empire, eventually guarding frontiers like Hadrian’s Wall. This book covers the complete history of the Roman Army from 753 BC to AD 476, including its successes and failures against Rome’s enemies, such as the Gauls, Carthaginians, Goths and Persians.

Life in the Roman Army was not all about fighting battles. Soldiers, centurions and commanding officers left behind a variety of documents, many of which are used in this book to reconstruct their daily lives and their combat experience.

• The

  most comprehensive and detailed history of the Roman Army ever published

• Covers

  the entire Roman period, 753 BC – AD 476, the early imperial army, the

  citizen's militia of the Republic and the army of the later Empire

• Author

  is an acknowledged expert on Ancient Rome and has written multiple books on the

  subject

• Hardback featured in several popular publications such as BBC History Magazine, The Historian and Minerva
• 'A detailed account ... clearly organised and accessible' THE HISTORIAN 
• 'A clear overview ... a tribute to [Southern's] attention to detail' MINERVA 
• Author

  available for signing events