ROME'S ARMIES TO THE DEATH OF AUGUSTUS

1-245700

Disputes the assumption that the Romans had an army similar to the national institutions of advanced 19th C European powers as well as the belief that changes seen in the armies can be explained because the Romans reformed their armies. Argues that up to the death of Augustus, the Romans had no permanent military forces. Roman armies were raised for particular campaigns, and armies were disbanded at their conclusion, even repeated campaigns. The Army was seen by Romans more like a militia than a national army. Suggests little evidence exists of systematic training and what changes can be detected can be better explained by contingent adaptation to circumstances rather than reform. The emperor Augustus is commonly seen as the originator of the imperial armies but it was an unintended outcome of a long life. Contains 16 mono illustrations.