Jane’s Reviews > The Last Legionary > Status Update

Soldiers leave Britannia on Stilicho's orders to proceed through Gaul to fight Alaric and the Goths at Mediolanum [Milan]. Many tactics of fighting army laid out, based on ancient writers, e.g., Ammianus Marcellinus and Maurice, from the latter's Strategikon. Striking description of the march across Gaul and the Battle of Pollentia, with the author's fictitious soldier, Gaius and the army.

Religion: paganism, Christianity, Mithraism

We've left the fort and find out what soldiers did 'On the march'. Much of the chapter covers patrolling, by land or sea and stays away from the fort, including kit, shelter, food.

The fort and work--what they wore, jobs, what they ate.

Fascinating! Roman army in late Britain [400 AD], nonfiction BUT illustrates what author's explaining through a fictional common soldier, his fictional contubernium and others, the fort, weapons, so far. Contrast with army of earlier days. Easy to read.