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Rating: 
Summary: An intriguing look at life on the Roman frontier.
Review: "Life and Letters on the Roman Frontier" is a fascinating analysis of a collection of wooden writing tablets found in the ruins of an old Roman fort in northern Britain. The tablets reveal much about the life of Roman soldiers on the British frontier, of whom most seem to have come from other peoples conquered by Rome. Through the tablets we are able to get a glimpse at the organization of the Roman army at that time and in that region, as well as at the domestic life in the Praetorium.The book also includes the Latin text of the most important tablets as well as photographs of the tablets and of other articles found at the site from that period (such as a leather sandal and a textile sock). The book also shows that the Roman army depended on written correspondence and therefore had a surprisingly high level of literacy, surprising at least to the modern person who assumes that all, or most, who lived in past ages were thoroughly ignorant. In fact, the higher-ups seemed to enjoy a higher lifestyle than one would expect from the frontier, being able to import such luxuries as vintage wine and pepper. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and recommend it to anyone with an interest in Roman society in general or Roman military life on the frontier in particular.
Rating:
Summary: I have this on my top shelf!
Review: If you want to have a feel for the thoughts, needs, and everyday interaction of the Roman soldier and family on the frontier, step into a time machine and go there, or, get this book and read the writings of the Camp commander's wife, the soldiers request for leave, and lists of purchases! You can't get a time machine, so this is the next best thing. The author helps you put the writings in the proper context, how they were found and about when they were written, but this book lets you look over the shoulder of the ancient Roman on the British frontier. Get it! You will read it because you are just as interested in the gossip as the commander's wife!
Rating: 
Summary: Very Disappointing
Review: The dry writing prevented me from getting excited about the subject. And at only 167 pages in flimsy paperback, this book is not worth the price it's listed for here at Amazon.
Rating: 
Summary: A solid read
Review: This book was solid. It appears to be meant for people doing research for their own books, or academic work. So there is no real flow or story. It may just be me, but I did not catch the logic behind the arrangement of the chapters. That being said, I would recommend this book to anyone interested in knowing what it was like to be a man on the frontline in the Imperial Roman world. Ever wonder how Rome was able maintain dominance over the world for so long with so few people? This provides great insight. Although the reading was not so exciting, I am very glad to have read this, book as it provides huge amounts of food for thought. I would have preferred to give this book 3.5 stars, but no such option.
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