The Roman Cavalry: From the First to the Third Century Ad

Rating:
Summary: The Roman Cavalry From the First to the Third Century A.D.
Review: Basically, I like this book. It is quite similiar to "The Roman Soldier" by G.R. Watson. It moves along very well without becoming tedious, as many other books of this type can. The author covers many subjects pertaining to the Roman cavalry itself, like unit organization and equipment. But, also covers the life of the individual soldier. From recruitment, training, and conditions of service, to how the cavalry was deployed in combat. The author also makes a number of comparisons between the cavalryman and the infantryman of the Roman Legion. This book has taken a subject that has been poorly covered in the past and made it very readable. I highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: The Roman Cavalry From the First to the Third Century A.D.
Review: Basically, I like this book. It is quite similiar to "The Roman Soldier" by G.R. Watson. It moves along very well without becoming tedious, as many other books of this type can. The author covers many subjects pertaining to the Roman cavalry itself, like unit organization and equipment. But, also covers the life of the individual soldier. From recruitment, training, and conditions of service, to how the cavalry was deployed in combat. The author also makes a number of comparisons between the cavalryman and the infantryman of the Roman Legion. This book has taken a subject that has been poorly covered in the past and made it very readable. I highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: Companion to Webster and Keppie
Review: Over thirty years ago Graham Webster wrote "The Roman Imperial Army". It used the forensic approach, with each chapter looking at the soldiers uniforms, daily exsistence, equipment, organization, leadership, training, installations, and of curse how the Roman Army fought it's many wars. Webster's book has since become the touchstone for this area. Some fifteen years ago Dr. Lawrence Keppie wrote The Making Of the Roman Army. Taking the political viewpoint he showed the evolution of the Roman Army from the days of the late Republic to the early Empire. together the two books make a fine set. The Roman Cavalry completes it. Long overlooked by historians thanks to only sketchy information from Roman writers ( the Romans were not horse people ) this work sets out to fill in some gaps. Relying not only on Roman works, but cavalry works from before the Roman Empire and as recently as the nineteenth century the authors manage to fill in those areas which until now have remained blank. The writers also rely on recent archeological finds that have helped to broaden our knowledge of the Roman cavalry. Not suprisingly they have choosen to follow Graham Webster's approach amd each chapter deals with a certain aspect of the horse soldier. Their equipment and weapons, training and recruitment, daily living, tactics and battle, religion, etc. Handsomely illustrated the book is very readable, never lagging, and well researched. A very admirable effort considering the lack of research material.

Rating:
Summary: Companion to Webster and Keppie
Review: Over thirty years ago Graham Webster wrote "The Roman Imperial Army". It used the forensic approach, with each chapter looking at the soldiers uniforms, daily exsistence, equipment, organization, leadership, training, installations, and of curse how the Roman Army fought it's many wars. Webster's book has since become the touchstone for this area. Some fifteen years ago Dr. Lawrence Keppie wrote The Making Of the Roman Army. Taking the political viewpoint he showed the evolution of the Roman Army from the days of the late Republic to the early Empire. together the two books make a fine set. The Roman Cavalry completes it. Long overlooked by historians thanks to only sketchy information from Roman writers ( the Romans were not horse people ) this work sets out to fill in some gaps. Relying not only on Roman works, but cavalry works from before the Roman Empire and as recently as the nineteenth century the authors manage to fill in those areas which until now have remained blank. The writers also rely on recent archeological finds that have helped to broaden our knowledge of the Roman cavalry. Not suprisingly they have choosen to follow Graham Webster's approach amd each chapter deals with a certain aspect of the horse soldier. Their equipment and weapons, training and recruitment, daily living, tactics and battle, religion, etc. Handsomely illustrated the book is very readable, never lagging, and well researched. A very admirable effort considering the lack of research material.