The Roman Imperial Army of the First and Second Centuries A.D.

894 Pages·1998·10.67 MB·English

by  Graham Webster

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Page i
The Roman Imperial Army
Of The First And Second Centuries A.D.
Graham Webster
O.B.E., M.A., Ph.D., F.S.A., A.M.A
Third Edition
Introduction by Hugh Elton
University of Oklahoma Press
Norman
Page ii
Library of Contress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Webster, Graham.
The Roman Imperial Army of the first and second centuries A.D. /
Graham Webster; introduction by Hugh Elton. 3rd ed.
p. cm.
Originally published: Totowa, N.J.: Barnes & Noble Books,
1985. With a new introduction.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-8061-3000-8 (alk. paper)
1. RomeArmy. 2. RomeHistory, Military30 B.C.-476 A.D.
3. RomeMilitary antiquities. 4. RomeAntiquities. I. Title.
U35.W48 1998
355'.00937dc21 97-41776
CIP
The paper in this book meets the guidelines for permanence and
durability of the Committee on Production Guidelines for Book
Longevity of the Council on Library Resources, Inc.
Copyright © 1985, 1969, 1979 by Graham Webster. New Introduction
by Hugh Elton copyright © 1998 by the University of Oklahoma
Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or
by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise,
without the prior permission in writing of A & C Black (Publishers)
Limited.
Oklahoma Paperbacks edition published 1998 by the University of
Oklahoma Press, Norman, Publishing Division of the University, by
arrangement with A & C Black (Publishers) Limited, 35 Bedford
Row, London, England WCIR 4JH. Manufactured in the U.S.A. First
printing of the University of Oklahoma Press edition, 1998.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Page iii
Contents
Page
Illustrations iv
Photographs iv
Drawings vi
Acknowledgements viii
Forewords ix
Introduction By Hugh Elton xi
Abbreviations xxi
Chapter 1
1
Introductory
2 28
Frontier Systems
3 96
The Composition Of The Army
The Roman Cohorts 96
The Legions 102
The Auxilia 141
The Navy 157
4 167
Camps And Forts
5 231
The Army In The Field
Tactics 231
Transmission Of Information By Signals 254
Medical Services 257
Soldiers' Pay 264
6 269
The Army In Peaceful Activities
Religion 275
Civilizing Influences 281
Bibliography 286
Main Historical Sources 286
Classified Bibliography 287
Reports On The Limes Congresses 305
Indices 307
Latin Words And Terms 307
Classical Works Cited 315
Army Units 317
General 321
Page iv
Illustrations
Photographs
Between Pages166 167
AND
PLATETombstone of the centurion Facilis at Colchester
I
IIScenes from Trajan's Column
(a) a sacrifice (suovetaurilia)
(b) legionaries working without their body armour and
using dolabrae
IIICutting and handling turves, a scene on Trajan's
Column
IVPart of the tombstone of the centurion T. Calidius
Severus, at Carnuntum, showing his equipment and
horse with attendant
VThe tombstone of the centurion Q. Sertorius Festus at
Verona
VIThe tombstone of the centurion M. Caelius, who was
killed in the disaster under Varus
VIIThe tombstone of an aquilifer of XIV Gemina, at
Mainz
VIIIScenes from Trajan's Column:
(a) a dragon standard of the Sarmatians
(b) two columns advancing towards a crimp, showing
the cornicines
IX(a) The standards of the praetorians and legionaries
from a scene on Trajan's Column
(b) A praetorian standard-bearer on a fragment of
marble in Boston, Mass.
XStandards on a relief from S. Marcello, Rome
XIThe tombstone of an optio Caecilius Avitus of XX
Valeria at Chester
XIIA battle scene from Trajan's Column showing a stone-
thrower, a native ally and auxiliary infantry
XIIIThe tombstone of a tubicen, from Köln
XIV(a) Moorish horsemen on Trajan's Column
(b) Part of the tombstone of a standard-bearer of the
Ala Petriana at Hexham
Page v
XVPart of the tombstone of a trooper of a Thracian ala
from Cirencester
XVIThe tombstone of a Hamian archer from Housesteads
XVIITwo auxiliaries with oval shields, from Trajan's Column
XVIIIHorse-trappings and saddle
XIXSarmatian cataphracts on Trajan's Column
XXA horse-armour from Dura-Europos
XXILevantine archer on Trajan's Column
XXII(a) A cavalry parade helmet from Ribchester
(b) Parade armour for a horse from Straubing, Bavaria
XXIIICast of part of a cavalry tombstone at Mainz
XXIVScenes from Trajan's Column:
(a) Ships in a harbour of a legionary fortress on the
Danube
(b) Showing a clavicular entrance and two auxiliary
guards with oval shields
XXV(a) Defensive traps (lilia) at Rough Castle on the
Antonine Wall
(b) A scene from Trajan's Column showing the
construction of defences
XXVIA timber building showing after excavation at
Valkenburg, Holland
XXVIIA section through the defences of the legionary fortress
at Chester, showing the turf rampart and log corduroy
XXVIII(a) Model of a large ballista (onager)
(b) Legionaries forming a testudo from Trajan's Column
XXIX(a) A mobile field-gun (carro-ballista) on Trajan's
Column
(b) Model of a field-gun
XXXScenes from Trajan's Column:
(a) a watch tower and a signal station
(b) a field dressing station
XXXIA forage party, from Trajan's Column
XXXII(a) The tombstone of Vellaunus Biturix, a horseman of
Ala Longiniana, carrying a standard
(b) The tombstone of Pintaius, a standard-bearer of Coh
V Asturum