Osprey Military Books

The Roman Army from Caesar to Trajan

[Men-at-Arms 46]
Michael Simkins - Ron Embelton

"Although the common Roman fighting men themselves have left no account, much literature has survived from antiquity. The wealth of archaeological finds, plus the study of surviving Roman sculpture has allowed historians to learn much about the nature of the Roman army which conquered m astonishing expanse of territory. Michael Simkins brings his substantial knowledge to bear on this fascinating subject, covering such topics as army composition, recruitment, training, campaign routine and providing a wealth of detail on weapons, uniforms and equipment."

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The Vikings
[Elite 3]
Ian Heath - Angus McBride

"In this worthy addition to the Elite series, Ian Heath transports us to the time of the Vikings, examining their epic journeys and the ships they made them In, their methods of warfare, the organisation of their armies and tactics employed, their appearance and equipment and the general history of these fascinating warrior-explorers. His authoritative text is complemented by many fine illustrations and photographs including stunning full colour illustrations by Angus McBride, one of the world's most respected military artists."

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The Normans
[Elite 9]
David Nicolle - Angus McBride

"Despite the small geographic extent of Normandy its people played a crucial role in the history of the medieval world. Ferocity, boundless energy, cunning and a capacity for leadership were their heritage, to which modern scholars would add supreme adaptability and a simple piety. Their amazing military successes resulted from careful planning, speed of movement, decisiveness, daring and sheer ruthlessness. Added to this was a strong business sense and an appreciation of the value of money. Veteran Osprey author David Nicolle describes the history, arms and armour of the remarkable Normans in this fascinating volume."

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Greek and Roman Artillery 399 BC-AD 363
[New Vanguard 89]
Duncan B. Campbell - Brian Delf

"The catapult (katapeltikon) was invented under the patronage of Dionysius I, tyrant of Syracuse, in the 4th century BC. At first only the arrow-firing variant was used, and it was not until the reign of Alexander the Great that stone-projecting catapults were introduced. The Romans adopted these weapons during the Punic Wars and further developed them, before introducing the new arrow-firing ballista and stone-throwing onager. This title traces the often controversial design, development and construction of these weapons throughout the history of the classical world."

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Late Roman Infantryman 236-565 AD
[Warrior 9]
Simon MacDowall - Gerry Embelton

Duncan B. Campbell

Campbell, Duncan B. Besieged. New York, NY: Osprey Publishing Ltd., 2006.

"Sieges played a central role in many conflicts of the ancient world, and numerous famous generals such as Darius, Alexander the Great, Hannibal and Scipio Africanus successfully used siegecraft to achieve their objectives.

As siege tactics became an integral part of many conflicts, generals employed engineers and scientists to develop tactics that ranged from breaking through city defences, undermining town walls and creating blockades, to tricks and deception.

This fascinating book explores the development of siege warfare in the ancient world from Persia in the 6th century BC to the 4th century Roman world, examining the techniques and weapons used during the sieges in this period."

Victor David Hanson

Hanson, Victor David. The Western Way of War. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf Inc., 1989.


"The origins of Western warfare lie in classical Greece, on the battlefields of Marathon and Delion, and in the strange, terrible headon collision of Thebans and Spartans at Koroneia. Instead of the ambush, skirmish, or single combat between heroes, the Greeks of the classical age devised a ferocious, brutal, brief, and very destructive form of combat that used armed men of all ages. With this technique, they invetlted the central act of Western warfare-the' decisive infantry battle. In this bold and original study, Victor Davis Hanson's compelling account of what happened on the killing fields of the ancient Greeks raises new issues and questions old assumptions about the raison d'etre for war. "

Philip Matyszak

Matyszak, Philip. The Enemies of Rome. New York, NY: Thames & Hudson, 2004.

"Until recently, it was assumed that Rome carried the torch of civilization into the barbarian darkness, bringing law, architecture and literature to conquered peoples. An alternative view now suggests that many of Rome's enemies - the Celts and Dacians, for example - were developing civilizations in their own right before obliteration at the Roman sword. Indeed, as Philip Matyszak argues, had Rome not crushed rival powers so completely, the drop into the Dark Ages might not have occurred. At Rome's collapse, no other powerful civilizations remained to absorb the impact.
This engrossing book looks at the growth and eventual demise of Rome from the viewpoint of the peoples who fought against it. They varied from the highly cultivated Greeks and Egyptians, to wild and rebellious Britons and Germans, to the Asiatic empires of the Persians and Parthians.
Their leaders were driven by ambition, vindictive hatred, fear, political calculation or naked greed. Some fought to preserve their heritage, some for personal survival and others from a warrior's love of battle.

Defying the might of Rome was a dangerous business, and few of the men and women described in these pages died in their beds. Some, like Vercingetorix andJugurtha, were captured, exhibited in triumph and then, while their conquerors sat down to a festive dinner, killed in the dungeons below. Rather than face such an end, some of Rome's greatest adversaries, including Hannibal, Boudicca and Cleopatra, killed themselves.

Here is the reality behind legends such as Spartacus the gladiator, and the stories of Shapur the conqueror and Mithridates the connoisseur of poisons. Some enemies of Rome were noble heroes, others were murdering villains, but each has a unique and fascinating story. "

Jane Penrose (Editor)

Rome and Her Enemies. New York, NY: Osprey Publishing, 2005.

Adrian Goldsworthy

Goldsworthy, Adrian. The Complete Roman Army. New York, NY: Thames & Hudson, 2003.

"The Roman army was one of the most successful fighting forces in history. Its organization and tactics were highly advanced and were unequaled until the modern era. Spectacular monuments to its perseverance and engineering skill are still visible today, most notably Hadrian's Wall and the siegeworks around the fortress of Masada.

This book is the first to examine in detail not just the early imperial army, but the citizen's militia of the Republic and the army of the later Empire. The unprecedented scope and longevity of Roman military success is placed in the context of ordinary soldiers' daily lives, whether spent in the quiet routine of a peaceful garrison or in arduous campaign and violent combat.

"The Republican Army" considers the earliest armies, offensive and defensive equipment, the creation of the Roman navy and the militia army that conquered the Mediterranean.

"The Professional Army" describes the reforms under Marius and his successors and the creation of the new legionary structure.

"The Life of a Roman Soldier" looks in detail at all aspects, from recruitment and daily routine - barracks life, training, parades, diet, discipline, medical care to equipment and off-duty life.

"The Army at War" reveals how the army operated, from grand tactics to hand-to-hand combat and siege warfare.

"The Army of Late Antiquity" examines the reorganization after the defeats of the third century and the bitter struggle to maintain the Empire in the fourth century.

Impressive in scope and written for a general audience, the book draws on archaeology, ancient art and original documentary sources to present the most convincing picture ever published of the Roman army. "

J.E. Lendon

Lendon, J.E.. Soldiers and Ghosts. Binghamton, NY: Vail-Ballou Press, 2005.

"Sparta, Macedon, and Rome-how did these nations come to dominate the ancient world? What set their armies apart?
Noting this was an age that witnessed few technological advances, J. E. Lendon shows us that the most successful armies were those that made the most effective use of cultural tradition. Ancient combat moved forward by looking backward tor inspiration-the Greeks, to Homer; the Romans, to the Greeks and to their own heroic past. The best ancient armies recruited soldiers from societies with strong competitive traditions; and the best ancient leaders, from Alexander to Julius Caesar, called upon those traditions to encourage ferocious competition at every rank.

Ranging from the Battle of Champicms between Sparta and Argos in 550 Be through Julian's ilwasion of Persia in 363 AD, Soldiers and Ghosts brings to life the most decisive military contests of ancient Greece and Rome. Lendon places these battles, and the methods by which they were tought, in a sweeping narrative of ancient militarv history. On every battlefield, living soldiers fought alongside the ghosts of tradition-ghosts that would inspire for almost a millenium before ultimately coming to stifle it."

SImon Anglim, et al.

Anglim, Simon. Fighting Techniques of the Ancient World. New York, NY: Thomas Dunne Books, 2002.

"Fighting Techniques of the Ancient World describes the fighting techniques of soldiers in Europe and the Middle East in an age before gunpowder. The book explores the unique tactics required to win battles with the technology available, and points out how little has changed in some respects of the art of war.

Divided into five chapters, the book first examines the individual components of an ancient army, the infantryman, archer, and the mounted soldier, the equipment they wore and used, and how they fought together in units on the battlefield. Fighting Techniques of the Ancient World describes why certain types of unit-like the Greek phalanx and Roman legion-were more effective than others and how their tactics evolved over time, illustrated with references to key battles. The third chapter discusses how these u nits were used together on the battlefield, how commanders controlled their men in the heat of battle, and the importance of a general correctly disposing his troops before the fighting began. This chapter also includes a discussion of naval commanders and their tactics. The fourth part of the book looks at the specialist techniques and equipment developed for siege warfare in the ancient world, with examples of classic battles like Julius Caesar's victory at Alesia and illustrations of catapults and other siege engines. Finally the last chapter covers naval warfare in the ancient world, from the ships in which the men fought to the weapons they carried and the major battles of the period.

Using specially-commissioned color and black-and white artworks to illustrate the battles, equipment, and tactics of the era, Fighting Techniques of the Ancient World shows in detail the methods by which armies, including Assyrians and Roman forces, prevailed over their foes, and why other armies were less successful. The book is an essential companion for any reader interested in warfare in the classical age."

Peter Connolly

Connolly, Peter. Greece and Rome at War. Mechanicsburg, PA: Greenhill Books, 1998.

"In this sumptuous guide to twelve centuries of military development, Peter Connolly combines a detailed account of the arms and armies of Greece and Rome with his superb full colour artwork. These are the best and most accurate representation of how the soldiers from these formidable military empires appeared. Making use of fresh archaeological evidence and new material on the manufacture and use of the weapons of the period, the author presents an attractive and impressive scholarly volume.
Greece and Rome at War lucidly demonstrates the face of battle in the ancient world.
Covering the wars between the Greeks and the Persians and the epic contest between the Romans and their most capable opponent, Hannibal, as well as organisation, tactics, armour and weapons, and much more, it brings the armies of Greece and Rome vividly to life.
Peter Connolly is renowned for his scholarship of the ancient world as well as being a highly respected artist. He is the author and illustrator of The Greek Armies, The Roman Army, The Roman Cavalryman and The Ancient City. "