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Ancient Warrior Guide
Legionär In Der Römischen Armee: Der Ultimative Karriereführer
Ihr Kaiser braucht Sie!
Rom herrscht unangefochten vom Wüstensand Mesopotamiens bis in die Highlands von Kaledonien. Das Reich ruht auf den kräftigen Schultern der Legionäre, die die Barbarenhorden im Zaum halten und die Grenzen weiter vorschieben. Machen Sie mit und erobern Sie die Welt!
Dieses Buch vermittelt Ihnen alle nötigen Informationen, die Sie brauchen, um in die römische Armee zu kommen und es weit in ihr zu bringen. Lernen Sie:
– wie man bei den Legionen angenommen wird und welche Legion die richtige für Sie ist,
– was Sie auf Feldzügen anziehen – und was lieber nicht,
– wer in der römischen Armee das Sagen hat und wie Sie einen Berber von einem Pikten unterscheiden können,
– wie man einen gladius schwingt und ein Katapult abfeuert,
– wie man eine Stadt erobert und es überlebt,
– wie Sie sich verhalten, wenn Rom Ihre Legion mit einem Triumphzug ehrt
Durch die Verbindung aktueller archäologischer Erkenntnisse mit modernen Rekonstruktionen der experimentellen Archäologie vermittelt dieses Buch ein lebendiges, unvergessliches Bild davon, was es hieß, ein römischer Legionär zu sein.
Rom herrscht unangefochten vom Wüstensand Mesopotamiens bis in die Highlands von Kaledonien. Das Reich ruht auf den kräftigen Schultern der Legionäre, die die Barbarenhorden im Zaum halten und die Grenzen weiter vorschieben. Machen Sie mit und erobern Sie die Welt!
Dieses Buch vermittelt Ihnen alle nötigen Informationen, die Sie brauchen, um in die römische Armee zu kommen und es weit in ihr zu bringen. Lernen Sie:
– wie man bei den Legionen angenommen wird und welche Legion die richtige für Sie ist,
– was Sie auf Feldzügen anziehen – und was lieber nicht,
– wer in der römischen Armee das Sagen hat und wie Sie einen Berber von einem Pikten unterscheiden können,
– wie man einen gladius schwingt und ein Katapult abfeuert,
– wie man eine Stadt erobert und es überlebt,
– wie Sie sich verhalten, wenn Rom Ihre Legion mit einem Triumphzug ehrt
Durch die Verbindung aktueller archäologischer Erkenntnisse mit modernen Rekonstruktionen der experimentellen Archäologie vermittelt dieses Buch ein lebendiges, unvergessliches Bild davon, was es hieß, ein römischer Legionär zu sein.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published June 29, 2009
64 people are currently reading
1333 people want to read
About the author
Philip Matyszak
62 books281 followersPhilip Matyszak is a British nonfiction author, primarily of historical works relating to ancient Rome. Matyszak has a doctorate in Roman history from St. John's College, Oxford. In addition to being a professional author, he also teaches ancient history for Madingley Hall Institute of Continuing Education, Cambridge University.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
November 29, 2018
Legionary was a very interesting read that taught me a lot about a Roman soldier’s lifestyle.
The book takes a light hearted look at every point of a legionary’s life in 100 AD, going from enlisting to the army to life in camp.
Roman culture has always interested me and it was great to learn why the Roman army was so effective in crushing its enemies.
Overall I really enjoyed it and will read the authors other soldier manuals.
The book takes a light hearted look at every point of a legionary’s life in 100 AD, going from enlisting to the army to life in camp.
Roman culture has always interested me and it was great to learn why the Roman army was so effective in crushing its enemies.
Overall I really enjoyed it and will read the authors other soldier manuals.
July 24, 2011
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Legionaries is a light-hearted (?) look at the life and times of a Roman soldier c. AD 100, when Rome was at the height of its power and the legions were at the height of their professionalism, couched as a guidebook about what to expect for the next 25 years of the new recruit’s life.
I’ve been a student of Roman history since I was a kid and saw 8 mm movies in class about the pax Romana or TV movies like Masada so the broad outlines of its military history were familiar enough but it’s fascinating to learn about the details, gleaned from close reading of the surviving histories and archaeological evidence.
The Roman army was an extraordinarily professional and modern-looking instrument of mass destruction. An aspect of legionary service Matyszak tends to downplay in passages like this (describing the aftermath of a siege):
The ethically conscious part of my soul found such dismissiveness distressing and distracting.
But as a description of life in the imperial armies for the general reader, Legionaries is well written, accessible and easy to read.
Some scattered observations:
Prospective legionaries had to be “persons of good character” (to quote Sarek from ST:IV) – no criminal record – and had to carry letters of recommendation. These requirements lapsed in latter decades as the empire’s military situation deteriorated; much like a certain modern superpower that finds itself desperately fighting a number of simultaneous wars.
Even more important than a sharp sword and well oiled armor was footwear. Legionaries marched – a lot. Forty miles in 12 hours is the standard pace (in full kit).
I think it says a great deal that the prospect of serving 25 years with little expectation of promotion or wealth, brutal discipline, and mind-numbing routine looked attractive to young Roman citizens.
Romans were fiends for bureaucratic detail: “The paperwork of a legion is managed with meticulous attention surpassing that of the corn commissioners or civil bookkeeping. Orders, military duties and finances are carefully entered every day…. To prevent too many duties falling unfairly on any man, and to prevent others getting off too lightly, the duties of each man are entered in the records, as also happens when he is granted leave, and for how long.” (From Vegetius’ Military Matters 2.19)
“A legion on the march needs about 18,000 pounds of grain per day, 12,000 gallons of water, and 40,000 pounds of forage for horses, oxen and pack animals.” (p. 148)
conscribe te militem in legionibus, pervagare orbem terrarum, inveni terras externas, cognosce miros peregrinos, eviscera eos
sunt milites veteres, sunt milites audaces, non sunt milites veteres atque audaces
Legionaries is a light-hearted (?) look at the life and times of a Roman soldier c. AD 100, when Rome was at the height of its power and the legions were at the height of their professionalism, couched as a guidebook about what to expect for the next 25 years of the new recruit’s life.
I’ve been a student of Roman history since I was a kid and saw 8 mm movies in class about the pax Romana or TV movies like Masada so the broad outlines of its military history were familiar enough but it’s fascinating to learn about the details, gleaned from close reading of the surviving histories and archaeological evidence.
The Roman army was an extraordinarily professional and modern-looking instrument of mass destruction. An aspect of legionary service Matyszak tends to downplay in passages like this (describing the aftermath of a siege):
“Ghastly things happen during the sack of a city, but a wise general will let it go on for hours, or even days, before he calls his troops back to heel – not least because there is a good chance that no one will listen to him if he tries to do it sooner.” (p. 164)
The ethically conscious part of my soul found such dismissiveness distressing and distracting.
But as a description of life in the imperial armies for the general reader, Legionaries is well written, accessible and easy to read.
Some scattered observations:
Prospective legionaries had to be “persons of good character” (to quote Sarek from ST:IV) – no criminal record – and had to carry letters of recommendation. These requirements lapsed in latter decades as the empire’s military situation deteriorated; much like a certain modern superpower that finds itself desperately fighting a number of simultaneous wars.
Even more important than a sharp sword and well oiled armor was footwear. Legionaries marched – a lot. Forty miles in 12 hours is the standard pace (in full kit).
I think it says a great deal that the prospect of serving 25 years with little expectation of promotion or wealth, brutal discipline, and mind-numbing routine looked attractive to young Roman citizens.
Romans were fiends for bureaucratic detail: “The paperwork of a legion is managed with meticulous attention surpassing that of the corn commissioners or civil bookkeeping. Orders, military duties and finances are carefully entered every day…. To prevent too many duties falling unfairly on any man, and to prevent others getting off too lightly, the duties of each man are entered in the records, as also happens when he is granted leave, and for how long.” (From Vegetius’ Military Matters 2.19)
“A legion on the march needs about 18,000 pounds of grain per day, 12,000 gallons of water, and 40,000 pounds of forage for horses, oxen and pack animals.” (p. 148)
conscribe te militem in legionibus, pervagare orbem terrarum, inveni terras externas, cognosce miros peregrinos, eviscera eos
sunt milites veteres, sunt milites audaces, non sunt milites veteres atque audaces
June 28, 2014
-¡No esperes hasta el próximo dilectus, valiente lector! ¡Únete ahora al ejército romano! ¡Viajarás, conocerás otras culturas, otras gentes, e incluso puede que vuelvas para contarlo! ¡El Imperio Romano te necesita!-.
Género. Ensayo
Lo que nos cuenta. Manual (no oficial) del soldado romano, según el subtítulo, pero en realidad una guía para que todos aquellos que lean este libro en tiempos de Trajano conozcan más lo que implica alistarse en el ejército y anticipen todas las ventajas y maravillas que podrán disfrutar cuando se unan. O si va usted a ser reclutado por la fuerza, que sepa lo que le espera. Y si alguien lo llegase a leer en el siglo XXI, una breve y humorística aproximación al ejército romano, su equipamiento, estructura, enemigos más frecuentes y forma de hacer campaña.
¿Quiere saber más del libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
Género. Ensayo
Lo que nos cuenta. Manual (no oficial) del soldado romano, según el subtítulo, pero en realidad una guía para que todos aquellos que lean este libro en tiempos de Trajano conozcan más lo que implica alistarse en el ejército y anticipen todas las ventajas y maravillas que podrán disfrutar cuando se unan. O si va usted a ser reclutado por la fuerza, que sepa lo que le espera. Y si alguien lo llegase a leer en el siglo XXI, una breve y humorística aproximación al ejército romano, su equipamiento, estructura, enemigos más frecuentes y forma de hacer campaña.
¿Quiere saber más del libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
June 28, 2014
-¡No esperes hasta el próximo dilectus, valiente lector! ¡Únete ahora al ejército romano! ¡Viajarás, conocerás otras culturas, otras gentes, e incluso puede que vuelvas para contarlo! ¡El Imperio Romano te necesita!-.
Género. Ensayo
Lo que nos cuenta. Manual (no oficial) del soldado romano, según el subtítulo, pero en realidad una guía para que todos aquellos que lean este libro en tiempos de Trajano conozcan más lo que implica alistarse en el ejército y anticipen todas las ventajas y maravillas que podrán disfrutar cuando se unan. O si va usted a ser reclutado por la fuerza, que sepa lo que le espera. Y si alguien lo llegase a leer en el siglo XXI, una breve y humorística aproximación al ejército romano, su equipamiento, estructura, enemigos más frecuentes y forma de hacer campaña.
¿Quiere saber más del libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
Género. Ensayo
Lo que nos cuenta. Manual (no oficial) del soldado romano, según el subtítulo, pero en realidad una guía para que todos aquellos que lean este libro en tiempos de Trajano conozcan más lo que implica alistarse en el ejército y anticipen todas las ventajas y maravillas que podrán disfrutar cuando se unan. O si va usted a ser reclutado por la fuerza, que sepa lo que le espera. Y si alguien lo llegase a leer en el siglo XXI, una breve y humorística aproximación al ejército romano, su equipamiento, estructura, enemigos más frecuentes y forma de hacer campaña.
¿Quiere saber más del libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
February 18, 2024
Libro ameno a la par que instructivo, ligero de leer a la par que claro
October 4, 2017
Един древен еврейски цар е казал за тогавашните най-големи врагове на държавата му: "Римската битка е като строева подготовка, само с добавена кръв.".
Наистина, римската армия разчита не толкова на по-доброто оръжие, броня, численост или иновативна стратегия, за да побеждава всевъзможни противници по всички краища на света - точно обратното, римляните са скучни, предвидими, често са значително по-малко на брой... но е невъзможно да спреш военнта им машина, разполагаща легион след легион отлично тренирани, добре екипирани войници с нечувана за времето си прецизност и организация.
Римската армия (след реформите на Марий и особено след Октавиан Август) въвежда за пръв път много основополагащи и за днешните армии практики: многобройна професионална армия, близка до днешната командна и организационна структура, определен брой години за прослужване, пенсия след успешно уволнение, издигане на строевата подготовка в култ, издигане на логистиката на придвижване, на изграждане на временни фортификации и на снабдяване до важна (дори по-важна от боя) част от военното изкуство, стандартизирана екипировка и т.н.
В типичния си стил, проф. Матишак използва общодостъпен език, за да опише различните аспекти на римската военна машина и да ни помогне да си представим какво би било да си легионер в различните краища на империята преди две хиляди години.
Това, което може би ще ви направи впечатление е неочакваният (но логичен) факт, че през по-голямата част от времето си легионерите не участват в бойни действия - дори могат да минат десетилетия преди някой легион да види битка или да тръгне на кампания. През повечето време легионите изпълняват различни цивилни задачи, като "опазване на мира", изграждане на пътища, конвоиране на търговци, лов на бандити и т.н.
Наистина, римската армия разчита не толкова на по-доброто оръжие, броня, численост или иновативна стратегия, за да побеждава всевъзможни противници по всички краища на света - точно обратното, римляните са скучни, предвидими, често са значително по-малко на брой... но е невъзможно да спреш военнта им машина, разполагаща легион след легион отлично тренирани, добре екипирани войници с нечувана за времето си прецизност и организация.
Римската армия (след реформите на Марий и особено след Октавиан Август) въвежда за пръв път много основополагащи и за днешните армии практики: многобройна професионална армия, близка до днешната командна и организационна структура, определен брой години за прослужване, пенсия след успешно уволнение, издигане на строевата подготовка в култ, издигане на логистиката на придвижване, на изграждане на временни фортификации и на снабдяване до важна (дори по-важна от боя) част от военното изкуство, стандартизирана екипировка и т.н.
В типичния си стил, проф. Матишак използва общодостъпен език, за да опише различните аспекти на римската военна машина и да ни помогне да си представим какво би било да си легионер в различните краища на империята преди две хиляди години.
Това, което може би ще ви направи впечатление е неочакваният (но логичен) факт, че през по-голямата част от времето си легионерите не участват в бойни действия - дори могат да минат десетилетия преди някой легион да види битка или да тръгне на кампания. През повечето време легионите изпълняват различни цивилни задачи, като "опазване на мира", изграждане на пътища, конвоиране на търговци, лов на бандити и т.н.
July 22, 2019
What a wonderful surprise! I thought purchasing "Legionary" would be an impulse buy as most of books with a description like this tend to be of low quality with lots of fanboy-ism. Not this one which makes me glad and positively surprised for purchasing it.
It really reads as a manual, how-to guide of the life of a Roman legionary with details about the status of the empire at the time (100AD). Nice details, references, very well articulated, and while it is a contemporary book hence an anachronism things are somehow in place, in a way that is very difficult to describe but very easy to feel while reading it.
Good intro to the subject about an era that I want to learn more about. Next stop "The Jewish War by Flavius Josephus".
It really reads as a manual, how-to guide of the life of a Roman legionary with details about the status of the empire at the time (100AD). Nice details, references, very well articulated, and while it is a contemporary book hence an anachronism things are somehow in place, in a way that is very difficult to describe but very easy to feel while reading it.
Good intro to the subject about an era that I want to learn more about. Next stop "The Jewish War by Flavius Josephus".
June 24, 2019
Es un libro breve, pero repleto de información sobre las circunstancias del legionario tipo en el siglo I. Además trae un montón de ilustraciones, mapas y fotos. Parece algo obvio pero muchos libros de este estilo lo ignoran o van saliendo del apuro con las mismas láminas de siempre. Matyszak se preocupa de ofrecer la máxima información posible sin agobiar al lector.
Y es que esa es otra característica clave del libro, está redactado en un tono informal, desenfadado e incluso humorístico. Con ello intenta atraer al lector ocasional y espantar ese tono académico habitual en los libros de ensayo histórico que podría penalizarlo. Está bien, aunque a veces, en mi opinión personal, se pasa un poco con tanto humor. Pero en general es un libro muy recomendable si te interesa el tema. Y si no te interesa especialmente puede ser una buena forma de empezar a hacerlo...
Y es que esa es otra característica clave del libro, está redactado en un tono informal, desenfadado e incluso humorístico. Con ello intenta atraer al lector ocasional y espantar ese tono académico habitual en los libros de ensayo histórico que podría penalizarlo. Está bien, aunque a veces, en mi opinión personal, se pasa un poco con tanto humor. Pero en general es un libro muy recomendable si te interesa el tema. Y si no te interesa especialmente puede ser una buena forma de empezar a hacerlo...
August 20, 2016
I almost didn't buy this book upon perusing it at the Hayward Public Library in Wisconsin. The price was right, the book externally attractive with high quality paper. At a dollar, in pristine condition, it was quite a deal--and I've been interested in Roman history since childhood. What disquieted me was the internal setup of the thing. This is no straight, albeit illustrated, text punctuated by colored plates. No, at first glance it appeared like something written for children: suspiciously many illustrations, short chapters, shorter subsections and subsections to the subsections, lots of fonts, lots of italicized quotations set off from the text, lots of lists, side remarks set off in boxes--for children or for persons with very short attention spans. Still, at a dollar, what could I be risking? I could always pass it on.
As it happens, while written at an introductory level and while appropriate for reading in short snatches of time, Matyszak's book isn't bad. What he does is review the careers of archetypal soldiers, sailors and auxiliaries from enlistment to retirement under the reign of Trajan, when the empire was at its height. While doing this he gives the general background of Roman military organization, technology and tactics, with some history of how things came to be as they were in 100 CE. As a whole, the book provides somewhat of a concrete sense of the soldier's life back in those days and, in so doing, something of a sense of what life in the empire was like.
Matyszak tries to be funny. He tries hard. His jokes and asides, while pretty obvious and predictable, reminded me of some high school teachers, ones who were trying to reach out to us kids. I appreciated their efforts then and I can see how the author's efforts to reach out with humor set within what approximates a two-dimensional representation of the hyperdimensional internet might work together to make this a good gift for a youngster.
As it happens, while written at an introductory level and while appropriate for reading in short snatches of time, Matyszak's book isn't bad. What he does is review the careers of archetypal soldiers, sailors and auxiliaries from enlistment to retirement under the reign of Trajan, when the empire was at its height. While doing this he gives the general background of Roman military organization, technology and tactics, with some history of how things came to be as they were in 100 CE. As a whole, the book provides somewhat of a concrete sense of the soldier's life back in those days and, in so doing, something of a sense of what life in the empire was like.
Matyszak tries to be funny. He tries hard. His jokes and asides, while pretty obvious and predictable, reminded me of some high school teachers, ones who were trying to reach out to us kids. I appreciated their efforts then and I can see how the author's efforts to reach out with humor set within what approximates a two-dimensional representation of the hyperdimensional internet might work together to make this a good gift for a youngster.
March 12, 2019
Written in the style of a manual for the would-be legionary in 100 AD, this book manages to both educate and entertain in equal measure.
Starts with requirements for joining up, looks at different parts of the army, explains where legions are based (and what can be expected there), then goes into everything from boot-camp up to taking part in a siege and the triumphal return (if you've managed to stay alive).
A lot is made of what the legionary has to help kill/pacify Rome's enemies, as well as what they will be using to try and pacify you.
Each chapter starts with a pithy military style saying in Latin (with translation), and there are several colour plates through the book as well as good line drawn illustrations.
The author is a historian, and has done an excellent job of writing a well researched book, which comes across as a veteran taking a green recruit to one side and filling him in on the things the recruiting officer may have neglected to mention.
Starts with requirements for joining up, looks at different parts of the army, explains where legions are based (and what can be expected there), then goes into everything from boot-camp up to taking part in a siege and the triumphal return (if you've managed to stay alive).
A lot is made of what the legionary has to help kill/pacify Rome's enemies, as well as what they will be using to try and pacify you.
Each chapter starts with a pithy military style saying in Latin (with translation), and there are several colour plates through the book as well as good line drawn illustrations.
The author is a historian, and has done an excellent job of writing a well researched book, which comes across as a veteran taking a green recruit to one side and filling him in on the things the recruiting officer may have neglected to mention.
May 4, 2013
A friend discovered this and couldn't wait to call and tell me. I looked up the author and said "big gun"; and read on. So I ended up ordering and reading three of Dr. Matyszak's books, and will go back for the others.
It's rare to find a top rate scholar who can look at history with a grin on his face; I think the good Doc does. I do know that it was funny as hell. I know I learned a lot...and that brings up a good point. I don't think you have to be scholarly and grim to write and teach people. In fact I'd make a bet. I'd bet that reading this book would teach a newbie .... let me correct that....the newbie would know more and remember more from this book than he would from a normal textbook on the same subject.
The humor in it cracked me up; the narrator sounded like the Marine Corps recruiter AFTER you had signed on the dotted line. Here it comes bud!
It's rare to find a top rate scholar who can look at history with a grin on his face; I think the good Doc does. I do know that it was funny as hell. I know I learned a lot...and that brings up a good point. I don't think you have to be scholarly and grim to write and teach people. In fact I'd make a bet. I'd bet that reading this book would teach a newbie .... let me correct that....the newbie would know more and remember more from this book than he would from a normal textbook on the same subject.
The humor in it cracked me up; the narrator sounded like the Marine Corps recruiter AFTER you had signed on the dotted line. Here it comes bud!
February 23, 2018
Ha Ha - hilarious. Definitely recommend this for any military history buffs.
January 24, 2017
This was one of the more entertaining reads regarding the Roman military I've come across. It's billed as a sort of a "New Recruit's Guide to the Legions" and the author manages to weave humor into rich historical detail regarding the myriad facets of the Imperial Army during Trajan's reign. I recommend it to anyone new to the study of the Roman Army or even the Roman Empire itself. It's worth the day or so it'll take to read. Will likely read again in the future - especially when I start getting my kit together for reenactments!
August 27, 2022
I have never been fond of military history, or reading any books about military tactics, equipment, etc. However, I've come to realize that the military is so important to Roman history that I needed a bit more knowledge. Fortunately, I found this book. It's highly readable, written as a "manual" for the potential soldier during the Roman Empire. It's chock full of details, but never seemed boring while reading.
October 22, 2022
Well-researched and full of dry humor. Would have been quite practical for a green recruit!
July 23, 2020
Muy, muy divertido. No esperes un texto histórico y erudito, pero si una introducción muy divertida.
February 7, 2019
Simultaneously good history and a hilarious read. Definitely worth it if you want a solid account of what a military career in imperial Rome was probably like. The conceit of being written as a guide to new recruits makes it easy to get into, but the author is perfectly willing to jettison it whenever it gets in the way.
May 28, 2020
3,5 Sterne
Als ich kürzlich die Biographie von Julius Caesar (von Philip Freeman - empfehlenswert!) gelesen habe, war ich fasziniert davon, wie die Legionäre ihm jahrzehntelang gefolgt sind. Auf Militärkampagnen vom nebligen Großbritannien, durch das wilde Gallien, am rauschenden Rhein vorbei bis in die Wüste Nordafrikas. Und das alles zu Fuß!
Als ergänzende Lektüre war Legionary deshalb sehr spannend. Auch die Pseudo-Ratgeber Form ist wunderbar gelungen. Unterhaltsam und trotzdem ist offensichtlich, dass die Fakten gut recherchiert sind.
Ich finde so sollten Sachbücher viel öfter geschrieben sein.
Hier ein paar lesenwerte Zitate, die ich mir markiert habe:
Joining the Roman Army
What happens in the next few minutes will shape the next 25 years. Or the rest of your life– whichever is shorter.
Service is for 25 years, but as you become a citizen on discharge, it is technically possible to join the auxilia at age 16, and then enrol in the legions at age 41, but many find that being in the army for over two decades cures their desire for a military career.
Get the best footwear possible. Because proper footwear is so important, this overview of a legionary’s equipment starts with the item on which Rome’s military superiority is based– the caliga, the Roman soldier’s sandal.
Unusually for a stabber, there are no blood runnels; that is, grooves in the blade to let air into a wound. Without these runnels, flesh clamps around a blade and holds it in, so immediately after stabbing the sword needs a vicious twist to allow it to be withdrawn at once for re-employment elsewhere.
The pommel at the back of the sword is round and larger than with most swords, partly to better balance the weight of the sword, and partly because if the sword sticks in an opponent’s flesh, the pommel gives good support for a backward pull.
When you receive two contradictory orders, obey them both.
Major punishments– to be avoided!
Also among the principales is the optio, a man designated to take over the responsibilities of the centurion should the centurion be unavailable due to his other duties or because he has a spear embedded in his chest.
To the average legionary, all centurions are dolori posteriori (pains in the backside) and are most appreciated when they are away on detached duty, which is often the case.
One of the joys of serving with the Roman army is that the enemy comes in a huge variety of guises. Just as you have become accustomed to dealing with naked German tribesmen leaping out of ambush and stabbing away with fire-hardened pointy sticks (which is harder to deal with than it sounds), a transfer can bring you against Parthian cavalrymen with levelled lances riding knee-to-knee, armoured from their toes to their impassive iron face masks, thundering down in their serried hundreds. Whether dealing with a chariot charge by blue-painted Picts in the Caledonian snows, an unexpected dagger thrust from a sicarius in a Jerusalem tavern, or a storm of javelins coming out of an African dust cloud stuffed with Numidian horsemen, the more a legionary knows about his foes, the better his chances of surviving them.
To fight the original Germanic warrior, one has to go north or east. Peoples like the Semnones or the Quadi still go into battle with a minimum of clothing and carrying only the framea, the dreaded Germanic battle spear. What their battle tactics lack in subtlety is compensated for by rabidly enthusiastic blood-lust, and the lack of sophisticated equipment is made up for with numbers. The usual battle tactic is to pack a huge mass of warriors into a tight wedge, with the better-armoured types on the outside, and hurtle at great speed into the Roman lines. This furor Teutonicus– the savage German battle charge– apparently has to be experienced to be fully appreciated,
The Germans are not very gentle with their prisoners, and practise human sacrifice in a particularly messy and painful form.
The good thing about the average German is that he is lazy, disorganized and undisciplined, unlike the efficient, industrious and well-drilled Italians. It has been found that by and large, Germans like to fight each other as much as they enjoy killing Romans. Many an attack on the Roman lines (called limes, or ‘limits’ in these parts) has been foiled by delivering a waggon-load of wine to one set of enemies in return for their falling upon another set. ‘Divide and conquer’ is a time-honoured Roman tactic, and it works particularly well in the Rhinelands.
1. Avoid bogs and forests. This basically involves staying out of Germania.
2. The most ferocious part of a German attack is over in four minutes. The trick is to be still alive after five minutes.
3. If you can avoid fighting the Germans for long enough, they will fight each other instead.
Life in a desert outpost consists of long periods of boredom punctuated by short periods of sudden death.
Those unfamiliar with life in the legions are often surprised by how much of a legionary’s time is spent on manual labour such as carrying and digging and how little of his career is spent actually killing people.
Desertion is always a problem in the army, and the prospect of going into battle and having lengths of sharp iron inserted into one’s insides tends to induce wanderlust in the contemplatively minded.
The main problem with ox transports is that the animals need to spend about six hours every day eating.
Wood is so essential to siege operations that Josephus reports that after the siege of Jerusalem there was not a tree left standing for 18 miles around.
does not matter how large the attacking army, at some point the odds come down to the first legionary over the walls versus the entire defending army. That legionary is automatically given an award (the corona muralis)– but unless his comrades are very quick, it is bestowed posthumously.
Summary of a siege
1. Spend days, or weeks, building things while the enemy throws sharp and heavy objects at you.
2. Fight off occasional sallies in which the enemy attempt to burn or demolish what has already been built.
3. On the signal to attack, advance into a hail of arrows, slingshot and boiling oil.
4. Climb a ladder to meet a large number of desperately homicidal individuals waiting at the top.
5. Fight back down various towers and staircases to ground level.
6. Deal with last-ditch defenders on a house-by-house basis while the ladies of the household throw bricks and tiles at your head (it was one such roof-tile that killed Pyrrhus of Epirus midway through his last Pyrrhic victory).
6A. Note that by now it is quite likely that– by accident or design– the city is on fire as well, so you are fighting people with nothing to lose amid burning and collapsing buildings.
As the Jewish general Josephus remarked, ‘Roman battles are just drills with extra blood’.
And remember that when fighting almost shoulder-to-shoulder with your comrades wild sword swings are hazardous to everyone around, not just the enemy. While in formation, keep it simple, keep it stabby.
There are old soldiers, and there are bold soldiers. There are no old, bold soldiers.
Als ich kürzlich die Biographie von Julius Caesar (von Philip Freeman - empfehlenswert!) gelesen habe, war ich fasziniert davon, wie die Legionäre ihm jahrzehntelang gefolgt sind. Auf Militärkampagnen vom nebligen Großbritannien, durch das wilde Gallien, am rauschenden Rhein vorbei bis in die Wüste Nordafrikas. Und das alles zu Fuß!
Als ergänzende Lektüre war Legionary deshalb sehr spannend. Auch die Pseudo-Ratgeber Form ist wunderbar gelungen. Unterhaltsam und trotzdem ist offensichtlich, dass die Fakten gut recherchiert sind.
Ich finde so sollten Sachbücher viel öfter geschrieben sein.
Hier ein paar lesenwerte Zitate, die ich mir markiert habe:
Joining the Roman Army
What happens in the next few minutes will shape the next 25 years. Or the rest of your life– whichever is shorter.
Service is for 25 years, but as you become a citizen on discharge, it is technically possible to join the auxilia at age 16, and then enrol in the legions at age 41, but many find that being in the army for over two decades cures their desire for a military career.
Get the best footwear possible. Because proper footwear is so important, this overview of a legionary’s equipment starts with the item on which Rome’s military superiority is based– the caliga, the Roman soldier’s sandal.
Unusually for a stabber, there are no blood runnels; that is, grooves in the blade to let air into a wound. Without these runnels, flesh clamps around a blade and holds it in, so immediately after stabbing the sword needs a vicious twist to allow it to be withdrawn at once for re-employment elsewhere.
The pommel at the back of the sword is round and larger than with most swords, partly to better balance the weight of the sword, and partly because if the sword sticks in an opponent’s flesh, the pommel gives good support for a backward pull.
When you receive two contradictory orders, obey them both.
Major punishments– to be avoided!
Also among the principales is the optio, a man designated to take over the responsibilities of the centurion should the centurion be unavailable due to his other duties or because he has a spear embedded in his chest.
To the average legionary, all centurions are dolori posteriori (pains in the backside) and are most appreciated when they are away on detached duty, which is often the case.
One of the joys of serving with the Roman army is that the enemy comes in a huge variety of guises. Just as you have become accustomed to dealing with naked German tribesmen leaping out of ambush and stabbing away with fire-hardened pointy sticks (which is harder to deal with than it sounds), a transfer can bring you against Parthian cavalrymen with levelled lances riding knee-to-knee, armoured from their toes to their impassive iron face masks, thundering down in their serried hundreds. Whether dealing with a chariot charge by blue-painted Picts in the Caledonian snows, an unexpected dagger thrust from a sicarius in a Jerusalem tavern, or a storm of javelins coming out of an African dust cloud stuffed with Numidian horsemen, the more a legionary knows about his foes, the better his chances of surviving them.
To fight the original Germanic warrior, one has to go north or east. Peoples like the Semnones or the Quadi still go into battle with a minimum of clothing and carrying only the framea, the dreaded Germanic battle spear. What their battle tactics lack in subtlety is compensated for by rabidly enthusiastic blood-lust, and the lack of sophisticated equipment is made up for with numbers. The usual battle tactic is to pack a huge mass of warriors into a tight wedge, with the better-armoured types on the outside, and hurtle at great speed into the Roman lines. This furor Teutonicus– the savage German battle charge– apparently has to be experienced to be fully appreciated,
The Germans are not very gentle with their prisoners, and practise human sacrifice in a particularly messy and painful form.
The good thing about the average German is that he is lazy, disorganized and undisciplined, unlike the efficient, industrious and well-drilled Italians. It has been found that by and large, Germans like to fight each other as much as they enjoy killing Romans. Many an attack on the Roman lines (called limes, or ‘limits’ in these parts) has been foiled by delivering a waggon-load of wine to one set of enemies in return for their falling upon another set. ‘Divide and conquer’ is a time-honoured Roman tactic, and it works particularly well in the Rhinelands.
1. Avoid bogs and forests. This basically involves staying out of Germania.
2. The most ferocious part of a German attack is over in four minutes. The trick is to be still alive after five minutes.
3. If you can avoid fighting the Germans for long enough, they will fight each other instead.
Life in a desert outpost consists of long periods of boredom punctuated by short periods of sudden death.
Those unfamiliar with life in the legions are often surprised by how much of a legionary’s time is spent on manual labour such as carrying and digging and how little of his career is spent actually killing people.
Desertion is always a problem in the army, and the prospect of going into battle and having lengths of sharp iron inserted into one’s insides tends to induce wanderlust in the contemplatively minded.
The main problem with ox transports is that the animals need to spend about six hours every day eating.
Wood is so essential to siege operations that Josephus reports that after the siege of Jerusalem there was not a tree left standing for 18 miles around.
does not matter how large the attacking army, at some point the odds come down to the first legionary over the walls versus the entire defending army. That legionary is automatically given an award (the corona muralis)– but unless his comrades are very quick, it is bestowed posthumously.
Summary of a siege
1. Spend days, or weeks, building things while the enemy throws sharp and heavy objects at you.
2. Fight off occasional sallies in which the enemy attempt to burn or demolish what has already been built.
3. On the signal to attack, advance into a hail of arrows, slingshot and boiling oil.
4. Climb a ladder to meet a large number of desperately homicidal individuals waiting at the top.
5. Fight back down various towers and staircases to ground level.
6. Deal with last-ditch defenders on a house-by-house basis while the ladies of the household throw bricks and tiles at your head (it was one such roof-tile that killed Pyrrhus of Epirus midway through his last Pyrrhic victory).
6A. Note that by now it is quite likely that– by accident or design– the city is on fire as well, so you are fighting people with nothing to lose amid burning and collapsing buildings.
As the Jewish general Josephus remarked, ‘Roman battles are just drills with extra blood’.
And remember that when fighting almost shoulder-to-shoulder with your comrades wild sword swings are hazardous to everyone around, not just the enemy. While in formation, keep it simple, keep it stabby.
There are old soldiers, and there are bold soldiers. There are no old, bold soldiers.
June 13, 2009
This is a very great read for those interested in military history, especially more about the life of a soldier and the things outside of the battle parts of military history. Here are the chapters:
1. Joining the Roman Army
2. The Prospective Recruit's Good Legion Guide
3. Alternative Military Careers
4. Legionary Kit and Equipment
5. Training, Discipline and Ranks
6. People Who Will Want to Kill You
7. Life in Camp
8. On Campaign
9. How to Storm a City
10. Battle
11. Aftermath
As this book is very short (around 200 pages and some pictures and diagrams) I was able to read this is a 2 hour period on a weekend outside of the local library, though I did skim through some of the chapters that didn't interest me. I would seriously consider for anybody that wants to know more about life in the Roman Military to borrow this book from the library, and if really interested in this kinda stuff, maybe buy it online or from your local bookstore.
1. Joining the Roman Army
2. The Prospective Recruit's Good Legion Guide
3. Alternative Military Careers
4. Legionary Kit and Equipment
5. Training, Discipline and Ranks
6. People Who Will Want to Kill You
7. Life in Camp
8. On Campaign
9. How to Storm a City
10. Battle
11. Aftermath
As this book is very short (around 200 pages and some pictures and diagrams) I was able to read this is a 2 hour period on a weekend outside of the local library, though I did skim through some of the chapters that didn't interest me. I would seriously consider for anybody that wants to know more about life in the Roman Military to borrow this book from the library, and if really interested in this kinda stuff, maybe buy it online or from your local bookstore.
January 3, 2017
Tres estrellitas porque no voy a ser legionario. Si fuera a serlo, cinco estrellitas. Mucha información útil si vas a ser legionario. Altamente recomendado.
December 7, 2018
I am certain that reading this entertaining and informative book offers a lot more fun than the life of a legionary offered to the original cast. However, I suspect that those in the ranks of Rome’s legions who could read and write would have greatly appreciated this “Soldier’s Handbook” intended for anyone interested in Rome and its soldiers. Author Philip Matyszak masterfully blends history and humor as he describes how to be a Roman legionary in less than 200 pages, supported by some 90 illustrations including 30 in color.
In the first three chapters he tells the reader how to become a Roman legionary and describes his “career” options in Roman military service. Over the next several chapters he discusses life in the legions – the soldier’s equipment and what was expected of him, as well as what he could expect if he failed meet the expectations of his commanders! The final chapters describe what a legionary might experience in combat on the battlefield or during a siege, having already listed the enemies of Rome that he would face on that field and each one’s unique set of skills and capabilities in combat against Rome.
This is a history book and a geography text, and draws upon the latest archaeological work to present a comprehensive view of life in the Roman legions. The main text is accompanied by a glossary and a list of recommended original Roman authors and their writings on the Roman military and their wars. The author also draws on these listed works for the quotes and excerpts with which he presents the various chapters. Legionary is a great introductory text for anyone interested in Rome and not just its armies as well as a handy reference guide for even the expert.
November 14, 2023
This was a really fun book. 7.5/10, consistently good and occasionally GREAT!
As someone with a degree in ancient history, I appreciated how well rounded the book was. Rome, with its complex systems and long history, has so many nooks and crannies to explore and it feels near impossible to have a sound knowledge of it all, because of this, every niche (and there's a lot) has intense research behind it, making it a long road to consume it all. This book covers a lot of angles and aspects of Rome's military procedure. This helps develop a rounded insight into the army as a whole, without spending hours upon hours researching it all.
Despite this, the book does lack nuance and is a little too light on the history of Rome and its development over its long history, BUT, I don't believe this is the purpose of the book, so the lack of nuance isn't so much an issue. It's great for casual people with an interest in Roman history without subscribing to thousands of pages of research.
ALSO, the HUMOUR is really good and it kept it enjoyable as well as educational, which risks being dull. The humour is subtle and never the focus, making it more of a compliment to a point and not the point itself, and I loved it.
Recommend to casual Rome learners as a gateway to greater research.
As someone with a degree in ancient history, I appreciated how well rounded the book was. Rome, with its complex systems and long history, has so many nooks and crannies to explore and it feels near impossible to have a sound knowledge of it all, because of this, every niche (and there's a lot) has intense research behind it, making it a long road to consume it all. This book covers a lot of angles and aspects of Rome's military procedure. This helps develop a rounded insight into the army as a whole, without spending hours upon hours researching it all.
Despite this, the book does lack nuance and is a little too light on the history of Rome and its development over its long history, BUT, I don't believe this is the purpose of the book, so the lack of nuance isn't so much an issue. It's great for casual people with an interest in Roman history without subscribing to thousands of pages of research.
ALSO, the HUMOUR is really good and it kept it enjoyable as well as educational, which risks being dull. The humour is subtle and never the focus, making it more of a compliment to a point and not the point itself, and I loved it.
Recommend to casual Rome learners as a gateway to greater research.
September 20, 2019
El manual del legionario es una recreación bastante divertida y fácil de leer, sin perder de lado la precisión histórica con la que se evidenciaba a la legión típica de la
Primera centuria D.C.
En esta obra, el autor nos indicará que requisitos debemos cumplir para enlistarnos, que debemos hacer una vez dentro, cómo equiparnos, luchar y sobrevivir tanto a los enemigos de fuera, como a la propia instrucción, sin dejar de lado a los elementos. Todos éstos harán lo imposible para llevar al legionario a la tumba apenas puedan. Si hemos podido sobrevivir, nuestra recompensa será poder cobrar un pensión y vivir de ella durante lo que quede o bien, volver al camino de las armas una vez más.
Si bien es liviana y tiene buen balance de diversión y educar, no tiene tanta profundidad. A pesar de esto es un libro que vale la pena leer para condensar todo lo que una persona no experta debería saber sobre el soldado romano.
Primera centuria D.C.
En esta obra, el autor nos indicará que requisitos debemos cumplir para enlistarnos, que debemos hacer una vez dentro, cómo equiparnos, luchar y sobrevivir tanto a los enemigos de fuera, como a la propia instrucción, sin dejar de lado a los elementos. Todos éstos harán lo imposible para llevar al legionario a la tumba apenas puedan. Si hemos podido sobrevivir, nuestra recompensa será poder cobrar un pensión y vivir de ella durante lo que quede o bien, volver al camino de las armas una vez más.
Si bien es liviana y tiene buen balance de diversión y educar, no tiene tanta profundidad. A pesar de esto es un libro que vale la pena leer para condensar todo lo que una persona no experta debería saber sobre el soldado romano.
February 28, 2019
Com um texto leve e irreverente o autor transmite um vasto conteúdo sobre os legionários e tudo que envolvia suas vidas.
Alguns dos tópicos abordados são: alimentação; equipamentos; tipos de lanças, escudos, espadas; as diferentes funções que um legionários podia exercer; a formação das legiões e modo de combate; treino; disciplina; recrutamento; aposentadoria; salário e recompensas; breve descrição das 28 legiões de 100 d.c..
O livro é recheado de citações de escritores da época e conta com diversas imagens ilustrativas do texto.
Leitura bem abrangente, detalhada e superinteressante. Segue o mesmo formato do “Gladiator: The Roman Fighter's [Unofficial] Manual” do mesmo autor, apesar de não ter a mesma excelência. Recomendado para os interessados no assunto.
Alguns dos tópicos abordados são: alimentação; equipamentos; tipos de lanças, escudos, espadas; as diferentes funções que um legionários podia exercer; a formação das legiões e modo de combate; treino; disciplina; recrutamento; aposentadoria; salário e recompensas; breve descrição das 28 legiões de 100 d.c..
O livro é recheado de citações de escritores da época e conta com diversas imagens ilustrativas do texto.
Leitura bem abrangente, detalhada e superinteressante. Segue o mesmo formato do “Gladiator: The Roman Fighter's [Unofficial] Manual” do mesmo autor, apesar de não ter a mesma excelência. Recomendado para os interessados no assunto.
June 4, 2021
Not what I was expecting from a book on history! This could have been a typical nonfiction book in the way it presented its information, but Matyszak decided to change it up a little by creating a scenario of you living in AD 100 Rome and eager to join the Roman army, and providing you with details on different aspects of it. It was also funny with a few quips here and there. This was a very interactive and engaging way to pass on knowledge of one of history's greatest empire's army.
I'm so happy that it's part of a series with other books on 'manuals' of different roles throughout history, and will definitely check them out!
I'm so happy that it's part of a series with other books on 'manuals' of different roles throughout history, and will definitely check them out!
January 1, 2020
Con este manual de Philip Matyszak tienes toda la información necesaria para ser un auténtico legionario romano.
Armas, vestimenta, normas... todo ello descrito con minuciosidad. Este historiador tiene una manera de escribir absolutamente didáctica, sus obras son entretenidas, incluso divertidas, lo que hace que la lectura de sus obras sea fácil. Te traslada sin darte cuenta a esa época, por lo que enseguida te sientes como un futuro legionario. Espero que disfrutéis tanto como yo con la lectura de este manual.
Armas, vestimenta, normas... todo ello descrito con minuciosidad. Este historiador tiene una manera de escribir absolutamente didáctica, sus obras son entretenidas, incluso divertidas, lo que hace que la lectura de sus obras sea fácil. Te traslada sin darte cuenta a esa época, por lo que enseguida te sientes como un futuro legionario. Espero que disfrutéis tanto como yo con la lectura de este manual.
January 15, 2020
Matyszak excels at writing books that are original, engaging, entertaining and educational all at the same time. This is a ‘handbook’ for soldiers joining the legion in the reign of Trajan and is packed full of useful information. The book has a lot of photos and illustrations that beautifully complement the text and help to bring everything to life. There also many quotes from original source material throughout the book. A great read for history fans, especially those who are interested in the Roman legion.
April 19, 2020
I emerged from four years of high school Latin with an abiding interest in ancient Rome, not least its military. This little book gives the reader an excellent view of what life was like for a legionary in 100 CE. It occurs to me that Rome created the template for a professional military, one to which we still adhere - high recruiting standards, rigorous training, relatively good pay, surprisingly good medical care, and a generous early retirement. It certainly worked for them - at least for several hundred years.
September 5, 2018
Escrito no estilo de um manual mesmo, para quem deseja se alistar nas legiões romanas e conhecer o trabalho dos soldados sob o império de Trajano, no auge de Roma. O autor explica a diferença entre os postos, como centuriões e auxiliares, a importância das botas, o dia a dia dos legionários, treinamento, disciplina, equipamento, combate. Não é muito profundo, mas achei bom o bastante para torná-lo uma pesquisa divertida e fluida.
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