The Roman Army from Hadrian to Constantine (Men at Arms Series, 93)

Rating:
Summary: An unbalanced overview
Review: The book's title is slightly misleading; although the central color plates illustrate representative images from the full range of dates indicated by the reigns cited therein, the text leans the discussion heavily toward the earlier part of the period and Hadrian's Wall in particular. Also, a disclaimer is included stating that much background material (including, presumably, definitions of some military terms used) is to be found in the companion volume, "The Roman Army from Caesar to Trajan."
Relating to the comparatively extensive discussion of helmets, the illustrations are scattered widely and inconveniently throughout the book (sometimes pages after the discussion of their object without any indication an illustration is included, frustrating especially after reading a detailed description) and references are again made to the companion volume. This and other subsections on equipment collectively dwarf other topics such as religion and diet of soldiers.
The author includes some unhelpfully amateurish drawings of his own besides much better photographs of his equipment reconstructions and the illustrator's plates.
The end of this period is treated more fully in Osprey's "Late Roman Infantryman" and "Late Roman Cavalryman," the balance handled in "Imperial Roman Legionary," which I have not seen.

Rating:
Summary: The Roman Army from Hadrian to Constantine
Review: This book expresses the true interpretation of how the Romans actually commanded their army. This experience of fine officers who batteled without fear for the sake of a greater cause. The author tried to display not only factual information but true battle experiences that would help the reader understand. This book was a great piece of literature which helped me a great deal in writing my paper.