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