The Roman Army: A Social and Institutional History offers a revealing portrait of a legendary fighting force in peacetime and at war from a soldierís-eye view. Organized thematically, it explores the armyís history, culture, and organization, while providing fascinating details of the soldierís daily life and of the armyís interactions with citizens, politicians, and the inhabitants of conquered territories.

Written by a leading scholar of Roman military history, The Roman Army helps readers appreciate the distinctive traits that helped the army sustain itself for nearly 1,000 years, including its adaptability (soldiers did civilian police and military duty and the army continually modified its tactics and weapons, as well as its training methods, compensation system, strict regimen of punishment and rewards, and its skill at ìRomanizingî foreign lands. Readers will also see how historians pieced together their understanding of the armyís way of life, drawing on everything from Romeís rich historical record to depictions of military subjects in literature and art.