"In this general-interest book, historian Guy de la Bédoyère takes us into the day-to-day life of a soldier in the imperial Roman army. His compelling narrative draws on archaeological evidence and the words of Roman historians and of the soldiers themselves, especially through their religious dedications, tombstones, private letters, and graffiti. The result is a window on how the men, their wives, concubines, and children lived, whether in bleak frontier garrisons or guarding the emperor in Rome. Bédoyère explores the history of how common soldiers fought the emperors' wars; mutinied over pay; marched in triumph; threw their weight around in city streets; and eventually, if they survived, enjoyed the benefits of an honorable retirement"--… (más)
"However, none of this in any way diminishes what is a really splendid book that brings to life in its scholarship and animated style the lives of some of the most remarkable soldiers the world has ever seen."
Titus Flaminius... of Legio XIIII Gemina served as a soldier for 22 years, and now here I am. Read this and be more or less lucky in your lifetime. -Tombstone of a legionary, found at Wroxeter, Britain. Mid-first century AD
"In this general-interest book, historian Guy de la Bédoyère takes us into the day-to-day life of a soldier in the imperial Roman army. His compelling narrative draws on archaeological evidence and the words of Roman historians and of the soldiers themselves, especially through their religious dedications, tombstones, private letters, and graffiti. The result is a window on how the men, their wives, concubines, and children lived, whether in bleak frontier garrisons or guarding the emperor in Rome. Bédoyère explores the history of how common soldiers fought the emperors' wars; mutinied over pay; marched in triumph; threw their weight around in city streets; and eventually, if they survived, enjoyed the benefits of an honorable retirement"--
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(4.07)
1
Gladius was originally published in England by Little, Brown and seems to have three different subtitles.
Guy de la Bédoyère seems to be a man with research passions. His book is at its best when he indulges his passions and tells fascinating and horrifying stories of life as a sword-slinger in the Roman army. He is especially well-versed in the archeological discoveries around Hadrian’s Wall. His detail, especially his descriptions of military campaigns, occasionally obscures his thesis, which seems to be that the Roman army’s nascent bureaucracy was never quite as efficient as it needed to be. I enjoyed it, but I am not sure how much of the detail will stick with me. Four stars. (