“A fascinating little handbook of serious scholarship and irrepressible wit, Legionary vividly illuminates military life in ancient Rome.”—Boston Globe

Your emperor needs you for the Roman army! The year is 100 CE and Rome stands supreme and unconquerable from the desert sands of Mesopotamia to the misty highlands of Caledonia. Yet the might of Rome rests completely on the armored shoulders of the legionaries who hold back the barbarian hordes and push forward the frontiers of the empire.

This carefully researched yet entertainingly nonacademic book tells you how to join the Roman legions, the best places to serve, and how to keep your armor from getting rusty. Learn to march under the eagles of Rome from training, campaigns, and battle to the glory of a Roman triumph and retirement with a pension plan. Every aspect of army life is discussed, from drill to diet, with handy tips on topics such as how to select the best footwear or how to avoid being skewered by enemy spears. Combining the latest archaeological discoveries with the written records of those who actually saw the Roman legions in action, this book provides a vivid picture of what it meant to be a Roman legionary.

Philip Matyszak's profile page

Philip Matyszak has a doctorate in Roman history from St John’s College, Oxford. He is the author of numerous books on the ancient world, including Forgotten Peoples of the Ancient World, The Greek and Roman Myths, The Gods and Goddesses of Greece and Rome, and Ancient Magic.

A fascinating little handbook of serious scholarship and irrepressible wit, Legionary vividly illuminates military life in ancient Rome. —Boston Sunday Globe

A very useful introduction to military practice in the late First Century.—New York Military Affairs Symposium

…usually checked out for a school project, but students report reading the entire book for pleasure after the fact.—School Library Journal

Highly informative and readable volume lays out in detail the high honor and great risk of defending Rome as a foot soldier…. The author knows his subject thoroughly and presents it with flare, a touch of humor, and authority. The many illustrations, including 16 color plates, add measurably to the enjoyment of the book…. Will more than satisfy.—School Library Journal