Roman Military Architecture on the Frontiers

Roman Military Architecture on the Frontiers
Author: Rob Collins
Publisher: Oxbow Books
Total Pages: 153
Release: 2015-11-30
Genre: History
ISBN: 178297993X

The Roman army was one of the most astounding organizations in the ancient world, and much of the success of the Roman empire can be attributed to its soldiers. Archaeological remains and ancient texts provide detailed testimonies that have allowed scholars to understand and reconstruct the army’s organization and activities. This interest has traditionally worked in tandem with the study of Roman frontiers. Historically, the early imperial period, and in particular the emergence of the frontiers, has been the focus of research. During those investigations, however, the remains of the later Roman army were also frequently encountered, if not always understood. Recent decades have brought a burgeoning interest in not only the later Roman army, but also late antiquity more widely. It is the aim of this volume to demonstrate that while scholars grappling with the late Roman army may want for a rich corpus of inscriptions and easily identifiable military installations, research is revealing a dynamic, less-predictable force that was adapting to a changing world, in terms of both external threats and its own internal structures. The dynamism and ingenuity of the late Roman army provides a breath of fresh air after the suffocating uniformity of its forbears. The late Roman army was a vital and influential element in the late antique empire. Having evolved through the 3rd century and been formally reorganized under Diocletian and Constantine, the limitanei guarded the frontiers, while the comitatenses provided mobile armies that were fielded against external enemies and internal threats. The transformation of the early imperial army to the late antique army is documented in the rich array of texts from the period, supplemented by a perhaps surprisingly rich archaeological record.

The Near East under Roman Rule

The Near East under Roman Rule
Author: B.H. Isaac
Publisher: BRILL
Total Pages: 504
Release: 2018-07-17
Genre: Literary Criticism
ISBN: 9004351531

The studies in this collection deal with a variety of subjects. Their focus is the Roman Empire in the East, the Roman army, Judaea in the Roman period, and Jewish history. Inscriptions are published in them and literary sources discussed. First, Judaea in the period before the arrival of the Romans as well as under Roman rule forms the centre of attention. Here, articles on specific documents are presented and historical problems discussed ranging from the Seleucid period to the Later Roman Empire. The second part of the book contains studies of the wider area and the third part is concerned with the Roman army, its organisation and aims in the Frontier areas. Many of these papers are hard to find and it is particularly valuable to have all of them together and logically arranged in one volume. Moreover extensive discussions of recent publications and newly published material have been added here.

A Companion to the Roman Army

A Companion to the Roman Army
Author: Paul Erdkamp
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 610
Release: 2011-03-31
Genre: History
ISBN: 1444393766

This companion provides an extensive account of the Roman army, exploring its role in Roman politics and society as well as the reasons for its effectiveness as a fighting force. An extensive account of the Roman army, from its beginnings to its transformation in the later Roman Empire Examines the army as a military machine – its recruitment, training, organization, tactics and weaponry Explores the relationship of the army to Roman politics, economics and society more broadly Considers the geography and climate of the lands in which the Romans fought Each chapter is written by a leading expert in a particular subfield and takes account of the latest scholarly and archaeological research in that area

Discovering Rome's Eastern Frontier

Discovering Rome's Eastern Frontier
Author: Timothy Bruce Mitford
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Total Pages: 496
Release: 2021-11-30
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 0192655353

The eastern frontier of the Roman Empire extended from northern Syria to the western Caucasus, across a remote and desolate region 800 miles from the Aegean. It followed the great Euphrates valley to penetrate the harsh mountains of Armenia Minor and south of the Black Sea, along the Pontic coast to the finally reach the foothills of the Caucasus. Though vast, this terrain has long remained one of the great gaps in our knowledge of the ancient world, barely visited and effectively unknown — until now. Here, Timothy Bruce Mitford offers an account of half a century of research and exploration over sensitive territory, in challenging conditions, to discover the material remains of Rome's last unexplored frontier. The geographical framework introduces frontier installations as they occur: fortresses and forts, roads, bridges, signalling stations, and navigation of the Euphrates. The journey is enriched with observations of consuls and travellers, memories of Turkish and Kurdish villagers, and notes and photographs of a way of life little changed since antiquity. The process of discovery was mainly on foot; staying in villages with local guides, following ancient tracks, and conversing with great numbers of people - provincial and district governors, village elders and teachers, police and jandarma, farmers and shepherds, and everyone in between. This came with its perils and pleasures; encounters with treasure hunters and apparent bandits, tales of saints and caravans, arrests and death threats, bears and wild boars, rafts and fishing, earthquakes, all amid the tumultuous events of the second half of the twentieth century. Richly illustrated with large-scale maps, photographs, and sketches, this is an account of travel and discovery, set against a background of a disappearing world encountered in the long process of academic exploration.

The Roman Eastern Frontier and the Persian Wars AD 363-628

The Roman Eastern Frontier and the Persian Wars AD 363-628
Author: Geoffrey Greatrex
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 406
Release: 2005-06-29
Genre: History
ISBN: 1134756453

Late Antiquity was an eventful period on the eastern frontier of the Roman empire. From the failure of the Emperor Julian's invasion of Persia in 363 AD to the overwhelming victory of the Emperor Heraclius in 628, the Romans and Persians were engaged in almost constant conflict. This book, sequel to the volume covering the years 226-363 AD, provides translations of key texts on relations between the opposing sides, taken from a wide range of sources. Many have never before been available in a modern language, and all are fully set in context with expert commentary and extensive annotation. For more information please visit the author's supplementary website at http://aix1.uottawa.ca/~greatrex/ref.html

Muslim Military Architecture in Greater Syria

Muslim Military Architecture in Greater Syria
Author: Hugh N. Kennedy
Publisher: BRILL
Total Pages: 426
Release: 2006
Genre: History
ISBN: 9004147136

This book investigates the Muslim castles of greater Syria from c.700 to c.1700 from archaeological and historical perspectives.

The Roman Frontier with Persia in North-Eastern Mesopotamia

The Roman Frontier with Persia in North-Eastern Mesopotamia
Author: Anthony Comfort
Publisher: Archaeopress Publishing Ltd
Total Pages: 148
Release: 2023-01-26
Genre: History
ISBN: 1803273437

This volume investigates the Roman city of Singara and the fortifications and roads in the surrounding area. The Rome / Persia frontier has been little studied, in part because of the difficulty of access for scholars, but was of great importance because it separated the two major civilisations of the early first millennium CE.

Procopius on Soldiers and Military Institutions in the Sixth-Century Roman Empire

Procopius on Soldiers and Military Institutions in the Sixth-Century Roman Empire
Author: Conor Whately
Publisher: BRILL
Total Pages: 311
Release: 2021-06-22
Genre: History
ISBN: 9004461612

In Procopius on Soldiers and Military Institutions in the Sixth-Century Roman Empire, Conor Whately examines Procopius’ coverage of rank-and-file soldiers in his three works, reveals the limitations, and highlights his value to our understanding of recruitment.