The year of 122 was the first time a Roman Emperor had set foot in the Province of Britannia since the invasion in AD 43. No doubt he had read many reports concerning the damage caused by marauding tribesmen crossing from what is now Scotland into the Province. Hadrian, therefore, decided - in the words of his biographer - 'to build a wall to separate the Romans from the Barbarians'. This engaging work from author Michael Simkins explores in depth the organisation, equipment, weapons and armour of the Roman Army from Hadrian to Constantine, one of the most exciting periods in Roman history.
The Roman Army from Hadrian to Constantine (Men-at-arms)
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About the Author
Michael Simkins is a respected author in the field of Ancient History, and he has written several titles for Osprey. He has a particular interest in, and knowledge of, the Roman Army in Britain, and is a keen re-enactor of this period. His interest extends to having personally recreated many of the weapon and armour pieces that the Roman leggionaire would have worn and used at this time.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By D. Evans
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
Michael Simkins 'The Roman Army from Hadrian to Constantine' was first published in the 1970's, which makes it a bit outdated, considering the numerous strides made in historical scholarship and archaeology since the book's publication.
As a result, much of the development of arms and armour during the third century 'crisis' seems to be absent from this book, as are the developments taking place in the Roman militray during the reigns of Diocletian and Constantine.
The contents of the book are also puzzling. Following a 4 page chronology of the history of the Empire during this period, the author then sets out on a tangent about Hadrian's Wall for about 12 pages. He discusses the building of the milecastles, the medical and funeral services and even the religious cults of the soldiers stationed there. I am not sure what this has to do with the late Roman army, and it seems as if the author was trying to use this section as filler, considering that there was not much information on the military of this period.
The remainder of the book seems outdated as well. The author discusses the arms and armour of the period, yet all he writes about is the gladius, lorica segmentata, the imperial gallic helmet and the rectangular scutum - items that were beginning to fall out of fashion by the mid third century, and had completely disappeared from the Roman armoury by the age of Constantine.
His descriptions of the Roman arms and armour from the high Imperial period seems even stranger considering that a few of Ron Embleton's illustrations show Roman soldiers wearing a 'Deurne' helmet and another with an 'intercisa' helmet - both correct for the late Roman period. Yet these aren't propelry acknowledged in the text, except for one or two sentences on the last page of the book.
Still, I can recommend the late Ron Embleton's colour plates which are detailed and expressive.
For those interested on the army of the late second to fourth centuries, it is probably best to look out for other titles - although, that said, this book would do as good introduction to the Roman military.
As a result, much of the development of arms and armour during the third century 'crisis' seems to be absent from this book, as are the developments taking place in the Roman militray during the reigns of Diocletian and Constantine.
The contents of the book are also puzzling. Following a 4 page chronology of the history of the Empire during this period, the author then sets out on a tangent about Hadrian's Wall for about 12 pages. He discusses the building of the milecastles, the medical and funeral services and even the religious cults of the soldiers stationed there. I am not sure what this has to do with the late Roman army, and it seems as if the author was trying to use this section as filler, considering that there was not much information on the military of this period.
The remainder of the book seems outdated as well. The author discusses the arms and armour of the period, yet all he writes about is the gladius, lorica segmentata, the imperial gallic helmet and the rectangular scutum - items that were beginning to fall out of fashion by the mid third century, and had completely disappeared from the Roman armoury by the age of Constantine.
His descriptions of the Roman arms and armour from the high Imperial period seems even stranger considering that a few of Ron Embleton's illustrations show Roman soldiers wearing a 'Deurne' helmet and another with an 'intercisa' helmet - both correct for the late Roman period. Yet these aren't propelry acknowledged in the text, except for one or two sentences on the last page of the book.
Still, I can recommend the late Ron Embleton's colour plates which are detailed and expressive.
For those interested on the army of the late second to fourth centuries, it is probably best to look out for other titles - although, that said, this book would do as good introduction to the Roman military.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3.2 out of 5 stars
8 reviews
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars
An unbalanced overview
6 Mar 2004
By A Customer
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
The book's title is slightly misleading; although the central color plates illustrate representative images from the full range of dates indicated by the reigns cited therein, the text leans the discussion heavily toward the earlier part of the period and Hadrian's Wall in particular. Also, a disclaimer is included stating that much background material (including, presumably, definitions of some military terms used) is to be found in the companion volume, "The Roman Army from Caesar to Trajan."
Relating to the comparatively extensive discussion of helmets, the illustrations are scattered widely and inconveniently throughout the book (sometimes pages after the discussion of their object without any indication an illustration is included, frustrating especially after reading a detailed description) and references are again made to the companion volume. This and other subsections on equipment collectively dwarf other topics such as religion and diet of soldiers.
The author includes some unhelpfully amateurish drawings of his own besides much better photographs of his equipment reconstructions and the illustrator's plates.
The end of this period is treated more fully in Osprey's "Late Roman Infantryman" and "Late Roman Cavalryman," the balance handled in "Imperial Roman Legionary," which I have not seen.
Relating to the comparatively extensive discussion of helmets, the illustrations are scattered widely and inconveniently throughout the book (sometimes pages after the discussion of their object without any indication an illustration is included, frustrating especially after reading a detailed description) and references are again made to the companion volume. This and other subsections on equipment collectively dwarf other topics such as religion and diet of soldiers.
The author includes some unhelpfully amateurish drawings of his own besides much better photographs of his equipment reconstructions and the illustrator's plates.
The end of this period is treated more fully in Osprey's "Late Roman Infantryman" and "Late Roman Cavalryman," the balance handled in "Imperial Roman Legionary," which I have not seen.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars
Needs to be replaced
9 Jan 2008
By Ving Thorr
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
This is one of Osprey's oldest Men-at-Arms books, and is in dire need of replacement. The book never addresses its topic--the soldiers of the late imperial legions. The first half of the book covers Hadrian's Wall. The rest of the book discusses the archeological remains of armor, helmets, and swords. This book contains no discussion of the actual soldiers, battle formations, campaigns, tactics, historical antecdotes, or anything along the lines of what has become standard for the Men-at-Arms series. "The Rebuplican Roman Army, 200-104 BC" is hands down one of the best Men-at-Arms titles I've ever read, this book however is one of the worst, and I think a new one should be commissioned more along the lines of the former. For a better discussion of the soldiers of this period (and much better full-color plates), I recommend "Greece and Rome at War" by Peter Connonlly.
2 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Roman Army from Hadrian to Constantine
20 Feb 2006
By Thomas P. Giaguzzi
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
This book deserves 10 stars! Osprey books are noted for their accurate representations of period aromour and fine illustrations. As a student of Roman history , I have read several books by Michael Simkins and have yet to be disappointed.
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3.2 out of 5 stars
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