Roman Battle Tactics 109BC–AD313 (Elite, 155)

There are hundreds of topics in the Osprey line of military books offered in series such as Elite, Warrior, Men-at-Arms, to name just a few. Military aficionados may find it worthwhile to invest in every single slim volume of every single category, but at an average of .31¢ per page, it’s a pricey education for those who have a topical interest in the various subjects. My recommendation for the fly-by historian: order any one book in any category for a pretty good general idea of the subject matter. If you like that book well enough, you can order more within the series. For instance, there are two books in the Elite series titled “Roman Battle Tactics.” One volume covers 390-110 BC; the other, 109 BC – AD 313. Of the two, the latter book reviewed here, is the more interesting history. The two works are written and illustrated by different people, which leads me to my second suggestion: buy follow-up books by authors you like. “Roman Battle Tactics 109 BC – AD 313” is written by Ross Cowan, a prolific author within the Osprey line. His attention to detail is impressive. I particularly liked the illustrations by Adam Hook featuring the testudo or ‘turtle’ defensive formation – by both foot and cavalry soldiers - as well as the numerous battle-line drawings featuring the ‘pig’s head’, battle arrays and attacking tactics. For such a thin volume, Cowan wisely focuses on premier generals like Pompey, Octavian, and Caesar. A highly readable and visual account of Republican and Imperial Rome’s battlefield tactics.

As expected clean copy

In “Introduction” (pp. 3-13), Cowan explains that his emphasis will be on legionary infantry (although he certainly covers cavalry and auxiliaries), gives his rationale for the parameter of 109 BC – AD 313 (from the last battle fought by two armies, organized in maniples, to the last battle fought by two armies, organized in cohorts). He then explains the organization of the fading manipular legion and the new cohort-style legion, all the way down to squad level (although he debates whether the conturbernium is was a tactical unit). He then covers the legion’s and cohort’s basic formations, and the importance of intervals to their flexibility. “Legionary Battle Lines and Manoeuvres” (pp. 13-46) and “Offensive and Defensive Formations” (pp. 46-57) discuss legions positioned with their cohorts 1, 2, 3, or 4 deep, the columnal pig’s head formation, squares, various testudo formations, charging uphill and downhill, and surprise attacks. Cowna illustrates each formation with one or more tactical examples, against a variety of opponents, illustrating the advantages and/or disadvantages of each (although a disproportionate number of the narratives come the triumvirate periods). “Epilogue” (pp. 57-58) discusses the Battle of Adrianople (AD 313), the last battle fought by two cohort-style forces, after which the Roman infantry became more defense minded, with emphasis on the shield wall, although the Battle of Ctesiphon (AD 363) did an effective assault by Roman infantry (thrown away by a failure to exploit). Photos and illustrations, with accompanying commentary, supplement the text. The commissioned illustrations (pp. 33-40) are: A century in closed and open order, with the centurion, optio, tessarius, standard bearer, and trumpeter picked out; A 2-page bird’s eye view of an army with a legion (plate A), with auxiliary infantry and cavalry cohorts, and the legion commander and his aquilifer picked out (plates D & E), different testudo formations (B); A century in the assault (F); Cooperation between heavy and light infantry (G); A cavalry turmae in wedge and testudo formations (H). There is a list of named places with both their ancient and modern names (p. 2), a bibliography (p. 59) with modern secondary sources for further reading (ancient sources are used as in-text citations) and an index (p. 48). Debatable Issue: Cowan’s conclusion that there was no cohort commander because there was no specific cohort standard does not necessarily jive. Training and experience help, but that does not necessarily turn five or six century commanders a hive mind. It probably would have made a cohort the only thing it the Late Roman Republic or Empire that DIDN’T have someone in charge. ;) I suspect that the senior commander would have taken the lead, even if “cohort commander” wasn’t a formal position. Positive: 1) Cowan supports his conclusions with in-text citations. If a conclusion is debatable, the author notes the fact, and gives his reasoning; 2) Maps help explain the tactical action in the narrative, and are generally on the same page (not every Osprey book does this); Quibbles: In my copy, the last letter of each word in the last two paragraphs on page 9 were clipped off for some reason, although you can figure it out. I considered giving this only 4.5 stars, due to some of Cowan’s debatable conclusions, but he grants these, allowing the reader to come to their own conclusions, so 5 stars. James D. Glick PO1, USNR (ret.) Austin Peay State University Clarksville, TN

Though Osprey has provided a myriad of books on the appearance, gear, and organization of the legionaries and auxiliaries of Imperial Rome, this is one of the first to deal with exactly how these men fought in great detail. Cowan, the author of the highly useful Legionary Warrior titles, describes both the various formations and the actual fighting styles of the legions, and supports his concise text with drawings and battle plans. As in his previous Osprey titles, he does not breeze over the warfare of the 3rd Century, but deals equally with all the general periods of Roman history held within these dates. Also supplementing the text are plates by Adam Hook and numerous photos of military gravestones and other related items.

Felt more like a bunch of brief accounts of Roman battles organized according to tactics. But it was pretty interesting and the illustrations were good.

This is a historical overview of the topic that doesn't bog you down with details, but still gives a reasonable understanding.

The book has a narrow focus - stated by the title. If this is your area of interest, you should read it.

Pretty good. Told about how Roman Legion Changed from Old style to the new Legion.

2007年に日本でもHBOの大作ドラマ、「ROME」が放映された。 そこで描かれた戦闘シーンは短いながらも、かなり印象的なものだった。 軍団兵は鎖帷子を着込み、姿勢を低く保ちながら、敵の突撃をしのぎ、百人隊長の笛とともに後ろの兵士と交代する。 とても”合理的”なローマ軍団の戦闘が見られたのである。 それは、従来の”合戦”シーンに比べれば、とてもそれらしく作られていたものであった。 しかし、この本に拠れば、ローマ軍はそんな戦い方をしていなかったのだそうだ。確かに、かのドラマでは投槍を投げることもしなかったけれど、2分ごとに隊長の命令で前線の兵士が交代する。白兵戦のつらさをしのぐには良い方法だが、一体、どう違うと言うのだろうか？ 答えは簡単。つまり、ローマ軍は交代などしなかったのだ。本当に剣で渡り合い、敵にぶつかっていくのは最前列のみで、後ろはただの”逃走防止用の壁”だったのだ。 勿論、兵士一人一人が剣術に熟練し、前線の兵士が倒れたとき、それに変わって戦列を崩さないようにするのは重要だ。しかし、それよりも重要なのは、敵がどれほど攻撃しようとも隊形を維持し、持ちこたえること。そして、ただ一撃で敵を打ち崩すことが出来る衝撃力だったのだ。 故に、この本では、百人隊が突撃するときの隊形は、従来の幅20人、縦4人ではなく、幅8人、縦10人の隊形で描いている。 では、なぜ彼らは現代の機動隊のような（恐らく、「ROME」の戦い方は、機動隊の暴徒鎮圧にヒントを得ている）戦列の維持をメインとした戦い方ではなく、突撃とそれによって生じる衝撃力を重視したのだろうか？それは、ローマ時代の会戦において犠牲者は、両者が交戦している時よりも、どちらか一方の指揮が崩れ、敗走を始めたときに生じ始めると言う（これは、戦いの記録において、勝者の犠牲者数と敗者の犠牲者数に大きな差が生じていると言うところから導き出されている）ことを考えれば、よくわかる。 また、その事実に基づいた合理的な戦術は、なぜローマ軍団が古代世界において最強を誇ったかと言うことの証明でもある。 本書は、いわゆるマリウスの軍制改革以後のローマ軍団が、内乱と元首政期の対蛮族戦、混乱の時代を経てコンスタンティヌスが権力を掌握し、新しい軍団が生まれるまで、どのような戦術で戦ったかと言うことを、歴史書、戦術書、考古学的遺物などを駆使して、コンパクトに纏め上げられた、ローマ軍団の戦術解説書として、高い完成度を誇る本である。 いつか、市川定春氏や、新紀元社が邦訳してくれることを願わずにはいられない。

Fascinating to anyone interested in the origins of modern warfare tactics.

Very good explanation of the tactics employed by the Romans. Key battles are looked at and explained. Great little book if you have an interest in the Roman Legions.

Very informative easy to read.

Good