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a1. Legionary
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By Philip Matyszak
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Suggested reading level: Grade 12 and up
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An amusing and informative book written as an
in-character “unofficial guidebook” for the prospective recruit into the Roman
military on the cusp of the emperor Trajan’s war with the Dacian kingdom of
Decabulus. It is full of characterful, and helpful, gems, from how to survive
being stationed on the Rhine frontier to how to avoid the wrath of one’s
centurion
2. Strategikon
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By Flavius Mauricius Tiberius Augustus, aka
Maurice
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Suggested reading level: Grade 9
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Maurice was a soldier emperor in the twilight of
the Roman Empire (reigned from 582-602). His Strategikon has been praised in military circles as the only piece
of sophisticated combined arms theory until World War II. Nothing military
escapes the emperor’s notice: From how infantry and cavalry should be equipped,
to how to march through friendly and enemy territory to tactics for the foes of
the day, to diagrams of how to deploy what forces on certain types of terrain.
3. Legions of Rome
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By Stephen Dando-Collins
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Suggested reading level: Grade 9
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This book lives up to its subtitle; it certainly
is a “definitive history of every imperial Roman legion.” This later
distinction is important, as in the Republic (and final round of civil wars),
there were dozens of non-permanent legions marching hither and yon. There are a
few colored plates with each legion’s colors and heraldic devises, and the
later third of the book is dedicated to important battles of the Imperial
period (roughly 30 BC to 476 AD, for the West).
4. Rome and the Enemy
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By Susan P. Mattern
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Suggested reading level: Advanced students/Teachers
(F-K score: 15)
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As helpfully stated on the back, this book is a
look at the military policy of the Roman Empire during its height (from
Augustus to Hadrian). There are chapters on decision makers of the Empire (re:
The emperor and the Senate for the most part), how they viewed the world (and
geography), general strategy (grand and otherwise), expenditures and sources of
income and state values.
5. An Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Uniforms
of the Roman World
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By Kevin F. Kilney
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Suggested reading level: 11th Grade
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A very readable and visually stimulating book
about, well, the uniforms (and equipment) of the Roman military: Legions,
Auxilia, Navy, later Empire, Byzantine soldiery and Rome’s enemies.
6. De Bello Gallico
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By Gaius Julius Caesar
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Grade level: Advanced students (F-K score 14)
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A first-hand account of a Roman army out and
about in modern-day France. Also of interest are Caesar’s observations of
Gallic society and religion. The escapades of the centurions are particularly
amusing, especially the impromptu “man-off” between Lucius Vorenius and Titus
Pullo while the Nervii are meeting with surprising success in burning down the
camp of Cicero’s younger brother.
7. The Roman Army: A Sourcebook
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By Brian Campbell
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Grade level: Advanced students (F-K score of 13)
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This is a rather dense book, but has an
impressive collection of primary sources ranging from literary to epigraphs,
papyrus records found from Egypt to
archaeological evidence showing the Roman military at war, and at peace. Each
section of the book is themed, with an introduction before jumping into the
primary sources.
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Grade level: 11
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This is the factional section for the Roman
nation in the Rome: Total War modification, Europa
Barbarorum. It features a short history of the Romans, an in-character
description of their starting position on turn 1 of the game, and (most
important to my purposes), pictures and descriptions of the sorts of soldiers
which one can fill out the legions with. The information is highly reliable, as
the mod team boasts a number of historians and the odd professor among its
members.
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By Anthony Kamm
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Grade level: 11th
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A companion website to a textbook of the same
name, this site covers a variety of topics, from the origins of the Roman body
politic through the reign of Domitian. There are also sections on culture, and
(surprise) the army. The section on the army is rather scant, but does describe
the organization and support staff of the legion adequately.
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Grade level: 9th
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An English village’s website, which is sited nearly
atop a Roman fort and one of the possible strongholds of the historic Arthur.
There are a number of good images and short descriptions (and pictures) of
legionary gear. But the village has a very good relationship with a nearby
re-enactment legion, who have a number of clips hosted on the site.
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Grade level : 10th
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A semi-interactive website where a student can
click on a legionary and find out a bit more about parts of his equipment: Not
just combat gear, but the camp/day-to-day items as well. The officers and
specialist are also described (and pictured) and there is a succinct section on
the organization of the legion, too.
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By Legio VI Victris et Legio IX Hispana
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Grade level: 10
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A website run by a pair of modern-day legions,
who to put not too fine a point on it, really know their gear (as they make it
as close to historical specifications as they can). Lots of pictures, which are
always a plus.
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By Flavius Vegetius Renatus
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Grade level: Advanced students (F-K score of 13)
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Written in the dark years of the Western Roman
Empire, Vegetius wrote on very similar subjects as the emperor Maurice would
approximately two to three centuries later. While both men lived in challenging
times, Vegetius makes particularly bold claims, like the reason for the decay
of the troops in his day is because they’re far too weak to wear armor. His
section on how to deal with elephants and chariots is a surprising, yet
amusing, addition.
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By Roman Military Research Society
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Grade level: Teachers, advanced students (F-K
score of 18)
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Another reenactment group’s website, with a
smattering of information about the onset of the Dark Ages, Roman army of
different eras and surprisingly helpful hints on how to manufacture chainmail
and segmentata.
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By the Sega Corporation
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Ages 13 and up
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Featuring BRIAN BLESSED, these videos show off
re-constructed legionary equipment. Quite informative (and ever-helpful
re-enactors to boot) and BRIAN BLESSED. Equal parts amusing and educational. Go
watch them. Right now.
