Roman Army Units in the Western Provinces (2): 3rd Century AD

The appearance of Roman soldiers in the 3rd century AD was uncertain due to central control collapse and civil war, but garrisons held together and Diocletian's reforms rebuilt the Empire. This book reveals their uniforms, equipment, and deployments during this period.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 48 pages
Publication date: 25 July 2019
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The appearance of Roman soldiers in the 3rd century AD has long been a matter of debate and uncertainty, largely due to the collapse of central control and perpetual civil war between the assassination of Severus Alexander in 235 and the accession of the great Diocletian in 284. During those years, no fewer than 51 men were proclaimed as emperors, some lasting only a few days. Despite this apparent chaos, however, the garrisons of the Western Provinces held together, by means of localized organization and the recruitment of barbarians to fill the ranks. They still constituted an army in being when Diocletian took over and began the widespread reforms that rebuilt the Empire – though an Empire that their forefathers would hardly have recognized. Fully illustrated with specially chosen color plates, this book reveals the uniforms, equipment, and deployments of Roman soldiers in the most chaotic years of the Empire.

Weight: 164g
Dimension: 241 x 189 x 4 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781472833471