Armies of the Late Roman Empire, AD 284–476: History, Organization & Equipment

by Gabriele Esposito

This guide to the Late Roman Army focusses on the dramatic and crucial period that started with the accession of Diocletian and ended with the definitive fall of the Western Roman Empire. This was a turbulent period during which the Roman state and its armed forces changed.

Gabriele Esposito challenges many stereotypes and misconceptions regarding the Late Roman Army; for example, he argues that the Roman military machine remained a reliable and efficient one until the very last decades of the Western Empire. The author describes the organization, structure, equipment, weapons, combat history and tactics of Late Roman military forces. The comitatenses (field armies), limitanei (frontier units), foederati (allied soldiers), bucellarii (mercenaries), scholae palatinae (mounted bodyguards), protectores (personal guards) and many other kinds of troops are covered.

The book is lavishly illustrated in color, including the shield devices from the Notitia Dignitatum. The origins and causes for the final military fall of the Empire are discussed in detail, as well as the influence of the 'barbarian' peoples on the Roman Army.

194 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2018

About the author

The author of numerous books on armies and uniforms, Gabriele Esposito is a contract professor of Medieval, Modern and Contemporary History at the "Luigi Vanvitelli" University of Campania.

Reviews

[Philip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Generally a good introduction to the topic of the Late Roman military, without too much delving into details. The latter fact is the main disappointment in the book, despite the very well known "abundance" of clear sources. Also a huge page count was dedicated to the replication of the shield patterns of the Notitita Dignitatum, while I'd have appreciated for example a more detailed helmet classification and list. Overall, a good read, but lacking in terms of details.

[Comes · Rating 2 out of 5]

I want more from this book, and not in a good way. The author puts good effort in introducing the Late Roman army to the reader and following their transformation from the Principate but is not an in depth look. Some sections such as equipment are disappointingly small. Lots of images of reenactors are used for examples but can feel like they are bloating the book and sometimes feel like they have been placed randomly. The book includes a part of the Notitia Dignitatum for military units but takes up a considerable backend of the book. The book does the job, but not admirably. For the price there are far better alternatives to this book.