Roman Military Equipment from the Punic Wars to the Fall of Rome, second edition - M. C. Bishop

Rome's rise to empire is often said to have owed much to the
efficiency and military skill of her armies and their
technological superiority over barbarian enemies. But just how
'advanced' was Roman military equipment? What were its origins
and how did it evolve? The authors of this book have gathered a
wealth of evidence from all over the Roman Empire - excavated
examples as well as pictorial and documentary sources - to
present a picture of what range of equipment would be available
at any given time, what it would look like and how it would
function. They examine how certain pieces were adopted from
Rome's enemies and adapted to particular conditions of warfare
prevailing in different parts of the Empire. They also
investigate in detail the technology of military equipment and
the means by which it was produced, and discuss wider questions
such as the status of the soldier in Roman society. Both the
specially prepared illustrations and the text have been
completely revised for the second edition of this detailed and
authoritative handbook, bringing it up to date with the very
latest research. It illustrates each element in the equipment of
the Roman soldier, from his helmet to his boots, his insignia,
his tools and his weapons. This book will appeal to
archaeologists, ancient and military historians as well as the
generally informed and inquisitive reader.