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Legionary: The Roman Soldier's (Unofficial) Manual, by Philip Matyszak
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An insider's guide: how to join the Roman legions, wield a gladius, storm cities, and conquer the world
Your emperor needs you for the Roman army! The year is AD 100 and Rome stands supreme and unconquerable from the desert sands of Mesopotamia to the misty highlands of Caledonia. Yet the might of Rome rests completely on the armored shoulders of the legionaries who hold back the barbarian hordes and push forward the frontiers of empire.This carefully researched yet entertainingly nonacademic book tells you how to join the Roman legions, the best places to serve, and how to keep your armor from getting rusty. Learn to march under the eagles of Rome, from training, campaigns, and battle to the glory of a Roman Triumph and retirement with a pension plan. Every aspect of army life is discussed, from drill to diet, with handy tips on topics such as how to select the best boots or how to avoid being skewered by enemy spears. Combining the latest archaeological discoveries with the written records of those who actually saw the Roman legions in action, this book provides a vivid picture of what it meant to be a Roman legionary. 92 illustrations, 31 in color
- Sales Rank: #106086 in Books
- Published on: 2009-06-29
- Original language: English
- Number of items: 1
- Dimensions: .81" h x .11" w x .54" l, 1.10 pounds
- Binding: Hardcover
- 208 pages
Review
“…usually checked out for a school project, but students report reading the entire book for pleasure after the fact.” (School Library Journal)
“A very useful introduction to military practice in the late First Century.” (New York Military Affairs Symposium)
“Highly informative and readable volume lays out in detail the high honor and great risk of defending Rome as a foot soldier…. The author knows his subject thoroughly and presents it with flare, a touch of humor, and authority. The many illustrations, including 16 color plates, add measurably to the enjoyment of the book…. Will more than satisfy.” (School Library Journal)
“A fascinating little handbook of serious scholarship and irrepressible wit, Legionary vividly illuminates military life in ancient Rome.” (Boston Sunday Globe)
About the Author
Philip Matyszak has a doctorate in Roman history from St. John’s College, Oxford. His books include Legionary, Gladiator, Ancient Rome on 5 Denarii a Day, Ancient Athens on 5 Drachmas a Day, The Classical Compendium, Chronicle of the Roman Republic, and The Greek and Roman Myths. He lives in British Columbia, Canada.
Most helpful customer reviews
54 of 56 people found the following review helpful.
A humourous look at the Roman Army from the bottom up.
By Rebecca Huston
I've always been interested in ancient Rome ever since I was young, and watched the splendid BBC series I, Claudius. That love affair has been carried on through the decades with plenty of books, films on both the big screen and television, and whatever I could find about the topic. So it was only natural that this rather humourous look at the life of the typical Roman legionary would wander into my eager hands.
Philip Matyszak, a long-time author on topics based around Rome and her armies, now has come out with a little book that takes a close look at the day-to-day life of the common soldier. Titled Legionary: The Roman Soldier's (Unofficial) Manual, this is a lode of information, crammed full of drawings, maps, photographs of ancient finds and art, and a wry sense of humour.
Basing the narrative around the year 100 CE, Matyszak begins with what is the Roman army, and who and where the typical recruit came from. What I found very interesting was that there were very specific requirements for those entering military service -- they had to be citizens, of a certain height, in possession of all their body parts in good working order and come with a letter of recommendation. Slaves, eunuchs, and women were barred from military service, for obvious reasons. And once he took an oath of service, the recruit was part of a vast organization that stretched over most of modern Europe, the British Isles and Northern Africa and the Mideast.
Successive chapters look at the various ranks within the army -- while officers had the privilege of command, it was the centurions that the legionary feared, much as a modern soldier tends to be wary of sergeants. And namely, how those recruits trained -- with a lot of marching and digging -- under the watchful eyes of a centurion or two. There are brief descriptions of the various legions and lore about where they were stationed, along with other branches of the Roman army such as the cavalry, auxiliaries -- mostly local troops, and open to noncitizens -- and the navy.
Next up is looking at the kit and gear that a legionary would be living with, along with the training in how to use those weapons. For the legionary life could be pretty boring in the barracks, and so the clever centurions came up with the ideas of endless marching, drilling and cleaning to occupy a bored soldier's time. Of course, every now and then there would be excursions into the countryside to put down the odd rebellion or two, or to let the local population know that there was a well-trained military nearby to quell any thoughts of leaving the loving protection of Rome.
Then there are the campaigns and battles that a typical legionary might face. One chapter alone is dedicated to the art of siege, with Julius Caesar's siege of Alesia being one shining example. And if a legion was fortunate enough, there could even be a triumph in Rome itself, the pinnacle of both a general and legions success.
What made this book really work for me was the sheer detail that is crammed in here. The writing style is crisp, with a generous slathering of humour and a very sardonic look at Roman officers -- the section on the various barbarians ready to pounce outside of Rome's borders is a treat to read about. Besides all of the black and white illustrations in the text, there are also two colour inserts of photographs and drawings. The first one has drawings in colour of showing legionaries at various activities and the like, while the second one is of a modern re-enactment group that is based around a Roman Legion. This one was a real help, as seeing actual people in actual armor and gear and battle formations does help to give a sense of what the real thing might have been like. The book has at the end, a map of the Roman Empire, suggestions for further reading (all contemporary chronicles about the army from Roman authors), sources for the illustrations, and an index.
Summing up, if your interest is ancient Roman, this is a great little guide about life in the army. If you've enjoyed the HBO miniseries about Rome, or if you have read Colleen McCullough's excellent series about the end of the Roman Republic, then you're going to want this book for your collection. It helped me fill in a few gaps, gave me quite a few laughs, and has spurred me on to read more about Rome's armies.
All in all, a great read and worth seeking out. Four stars overall. Recommended.
29 of 29 people found the following review helpful.
Io! Join the Legions! See the World! Meet Interesting Barbarians!
By H. L. Cripe
This informative, entertaining, and often laugh-out-loud book is the Roman legionary of 100 AD's equivalent of the Boy Scout Fieldbook - but with a lot more gore and rough edges and a lot less couth. The author, tongue planted firmly in cheek (Tacitus meets Lindsey Davis), tells the prospective recruit everything he needs to know about Roman military life - qualifications for enlistment, various military careers, equipment, training and military organization. Just so the recruit doesn't get bored with endless training, polishing armor, digging ditches, latrine duty, road-building, construction projects, and discipline, he has something to look forward to - battles! He will learn about all the people who will want to kill him in various unpleasant ways, camp and campaign life, and besieging cities. If he is very lucky and lives long enough, he may take part in a great victory and get to go back to Rome and participate in a triumph and receive honors and a share of the loot. If he lives through the term of his enlistment he can retire on a pension and maybe even a grant of some land to farm.
The author begins each chapter with a short bit of military wisdom such as: "We were against the cream of the Gallic army. The odds were a thousand to one. But he was a very tough Gaul." He goes on to give useful advice. A good fit for your helmet is vital because "Convex internal protrusions become concave indentations in the skull." "To the average legionary, all centurions are dolori posteriori...." "No combat-ready soldiers will pass an inspection. No inspection-ready soldiers will pass combat."
Do not underestimate this book as lightweight or superficial. It is incredibly well researched and organized, clearly written, and includes many short excerpts from original source writings on Roman warfare by Tacitus, Julius Caesar, Josephus, Frontinus and many others. It is lavishly illustrated with drawings and photographs, many of which are color plates of authentically dressed and equipped re-enactors doing all of the typical legionary activities. Convenient aids included for the reader are an excellent glossary, a bibliography, index and a map of the Roman Empire showing where the legions were stationed in 100 AD. Finally, you will amaze your friends with your skill at Roman numerals if you study the page numbers.
This book may be one of the few places the reader who doesn't know much about military history can get a clear and simple explanation of the history, structure and organization of the Roman legions - a great help for anyone studying the history of the period or who enjoys reading historical novels. I wish I had had it when I took Greek and Roman history in college. In addition, adult scouters may find the Roman methods of managing hordes of barbarian warriors useful in running Camporees or Summer Camps.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful.
One of the best books on the Roman military
By Lev T.
This book is a great introduction to the Roman Army. It's written with great verve and humor. When you begin to read the book, it's impossible to put down. You get an excellent idea of what life would be like in the Roman army.
The writer shows you the entry requirments for the army. You can't help thinking to yourself whether you'd be allowed to join. He describes what life on campaign would be like, and how Roman military camps would be set up. You also get a brief description in the best way to fight Rome's enemies.
The author also gives a basic introduction to Roman military tactics. This done in an accessable way. By the time you have finished this book, you come away with a greater knowledge of not just military history but Roman history in general.
This book is also great value for money. Ultimately, this is a must read book if you want to know more about the Roman army.
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