Roman Military Equipment: From The Punic Wars To The Fall Of Rome [Paperback]

M C Bishop and J C N Coulston (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1842171593 | ISBN-13: 978-1842171592 | Publication Date: June 20, 2006 | Edition: 2008 Reprint

Rome's rise to empire is often said to have owed much to the efficiency and military skill of her armies and their technological superiority over barbarian enemies. But just how 'advanced' was Roman military equipment? What were its origins and how did it evolve? The authors of this book have gathered a wealth of evidence from all over the Roman Empire - excavated examples as well as pictorial and documentary sources - to present a picture of what range of equipment would be available at any given time, what it would look like and how it would function. They examine how certain pieces were adopted from Rome's enemies and adapted to particular conditions of warfare prevailing in different parts of the Empire. They also investigate in detail the technology of military equipment and the means by which it was produced, and discuss wider questions such as the status of the soldier in Roman society. Both the specially prepared illustrations and the text have been completely revised for the second edition of this detailed and authoritative handbook, bringing it up to date with the very latest research. It illustrates each element in the equipment of the Roman soldier, from his helmet to his boots, his insignia, his tools and his weapons. This book will appeal to archaeologists, ancient and military historians as well as the generally informed and inquisitive reader.

Product Details

• Paperback: 322 pages
• Publisher: Oxbow Books; 2008 Reprint edition (June 20, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1842171593
• ISBN-13: 978-1842171592
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #179,712 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE definitive work on Roman military equipment, September 7, 2006

By 

H. Fuller (Arlington, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Roman Military Equipment: From The Punic Wars To The Fall Of Rome (Paperback)

I have both the first and the current editions of this utterly invaluable book. It is undoubtedly the best and most detailed discussion of Roman military equipment available and it is a "must read" for anyone interested in the subject, be he or she an historian, re-enactor, artist or whatever. I would give this book six stars, but there are only five available.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Resource For Roman Military, May 23, 2009

By 

T. J. Young (Denver, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Roman Military Equipment: From The Punic Wars To The Fall Of Rome (Paperback)

I've purchased a dozen military novels and resource manuals on both the ancient Roman and Greek militaries and I have to say that this book has been the best one in my library.

If you're a historian buff, school student, reenactor, or just out to learn more about the Roman's armor, weapons, shields, etc... this is THE book for you.

The layout starts by discussing the different evidence found and then jumps into the various periods of the Roman civilization. You get to see the advancement of the weapons, armor, structure as it morphed over centuries. Each point added is backed up by actual evidence found in digs throughout Europe and the Middle East. You get to see the items as they were when they were taken out of the ground in all their glory and learn all the necessary characteristics about them.

I can't begin to explain how great of a reference this is. I had never read the original printing (my copy is the re-print) but it came highly recommended to me as I want to get into Roman reenacting. If asked by anyone else, this would be the book that should be at the top of anyones list.

While I think each individual section could have been longer with more examples... I still think it's one of the best out there. Don't let the pricetag push you away from purchasing it. It should be on the shelf of anyone interested in the Roman civilization.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Miles Gloriosus: military weapons and equipment, February 19, 2010

By 

Frank 7SFG "skipidar" (Norman, Oklahoma) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Roman Military Equipment: From The Punic Wars To The Fall Of Rome (Paperback)

This is a very thorough, if somewhat technical account, of Roman military weapons and equipment. The illustrations are clear and detailed. The research it took to produce the information contained in the book must have been exhaustive. I am an amateur and a novice on the subject of Roman martial equipment, but by comparison with the other books I have read on the subject, ROMAN MILITARY EQUIPMENT is the most comprehensive. My only criticism is that I wish the book was a little more user friendly. It is not by any means inaccessible to the layman, however, and any student or enthusiast of Ancient Rome and its military might will find a wealth of useful information here about the equipment used by the legionnaires from the time of the Punic Wars (264 to 146 BC) to the fall of Rome. I recommend ROMAN MILITARY EQUIPMENT to all modern day legionnaires and miles gloriosus wannabes.