The Roman Cavalry [Paperback]

Karen R. Dixon (Author), Pat Southern (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0415170397 | ISBN-13: 978-0415170390 | Publication Date: October 15, 1997 | Edition: New edition

The cavalry was a vital part of the army of Rome and it played a significant role in the expansion and success of the Roman Empire. Karen R. Dixon and Pat Southern describe the origins of the mounted units of the Roman army and trace their development from temporary allied troops to the regular alae and cohorts. They have drawn together evidence from a wide variety of sources: archaeological, epigraphic and literary, as well as comparing ancient testimony with more recent experience of the use of cavalry.
The book covers the subject from the perspective of both the men and the horses. How were the horses selected and disposed of; how were they trained, stabled and fed? How were the men recruited, organized and equipped; and what were the conditions of service for a Roman cavalryman? The cavalry had to be employed in peacetime and this is discussed as well as its role in war.
The image of the Roman cavalry is often one of excitement and glory but the authors are aware that a true picture must not overlook the routine and the suffering. This book provides a comprehensive account of the Roman cavalry and the current state of knowledge concerning it. The wide selection of illustrations includes original drawings by Karen R. Dixon.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Karen R. Dixon has a Doctorate from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. She is a professional archaeological illustrator. She is the co-author of The Late Roman Army (Batsford 1996). Pat Southern is Librarian of the Newcastle upon Tyne Literary and Philosophical Society. She is the co-author of The Late Roman Army (Batsford 1996) and the author of Domitian (Routledge 1997).

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; New edition edition (October 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415170397
• ISBN-13: 978-0415170390
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,182,174 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Roman Cavalry From the First to the Third Century A.D., June 26, 2000

By 

Philip L. Holmes (Glendale, Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Roman Cavalry (Paperback)

Basically, I like this book. It is quite similiar to "The Roman Soldier" by G.R. Watson. It moves along very well without becoming tedious, as many other books of this type can. The author covers many subjects pertaining to the Roman cavalry itself, like unit organization and equipment. But, also covers the life of the individual soldier. From recruitment, training, and conditions of service, to how the cavalry was deployed in combat. The author also makes a number of comparisons between the cavalryman and the infantryman of the Roman Legion. This book has taken a subject that has been poorly covered in the past and made it very readable. I highly recommend it.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Companion to Webster and Keppie, July 17, 2000

By 

Jeff Cordell - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Roman Cavalry (Paperback)

Over thirty years ago Graham Webster wrote "The Roman Imperial Army". It used the forensic approach, with each chapter looking at the soldiers uniforms, daily exsistence, equipment, organization, leadership, training, installations, and of curse how the Roman Army fought it's many wars. Webster's book has since become the touchstone for this area. Some fifteen years ago Dr. Lawrence Keppie wrote The Making Of the Roman Army. Taking the political viewpoint he showed the evolution of the Roman Army from the days of the late Republic to the early Empire. together the two books make a fine set. The Roman Cavalry completes it. Long overlooked by historians thanks to only sketchy information from Roman writers ( the Romans were not horse people ) this work sets out to fill in some gaps. Relying not only on Roman works, but cavalry works from before the Roman Empire and as recently as the nineteenth century the authors manage to fill in those areas which until now have remained blank. The writers also rely on recent archeological finds that have helped to broaden our knowledge of the Roman cavalry. Not suprisingly they have choosen to follow Graham Webster's approach amd each chapter deals with a certain aspect of the horse soldier. Their equipment and weapons, training and recruitment, daily living, tactics and battle, religion, etc. Handsomely illustrated the book is very readable, never lagging, and well researched. A very admirable effort considering the lack of research material.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Reasonable value for money, September 5, 2007

By 

G. R. Grove "gwernin" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Roman Cavalry (Paperback)

The author uses information from classical sources combined with archaeological findings and data from 19th and early 20th century European records to give a fairly detailed picture of the Roman cavalry over a period of several centuries. We learn about the recruitment, training, and equipment of both men and horses and their shared life together. Although I would have liked to see a little more detail in certain sections, this is a good overview. I notice that Dixon has also co-authored a study of Roman cavalry equipment, which may have the color plates this volume lacks.

Contents: Sources; Origins, unit strength, organization and titulature; Equipment and unit armament styles; Recruitment; Conditions of service; Training; The hippika gymnasia; The employment of cavalry in peacetime and wartime; Military records and the supply of horses; Roman cavalry mounts; Stables and grooming; Water and food supply; Welfare; Baggage animals. Well illustrated with line drawings and black and white photographs.