Legion: life in the Roman army

Legion: Life in the Roman Army is a wonderful, lasting depiction, providing a unique perspective on the Roman army. Mary Beard praises it as offering "a very different view of the Roman army," while Terry Deary, author of Horrible Histories, describes it as "erudite, entertaining and eloquent." According to Classics for All, it is "splendidly direct, clear and jargon-free," providing a comprehensive account unlikely to be surpassed.

The Roman army's scale and organisation were unprecedented in the ancient Western world. This book details the everyday aspects of army life during the Roman Empire's zenith—from life in a tent to the food soldiers consumed—and explains its hierarchy, roles, equipment, and place in a vast, multiethnic society divided between citizens and subjects.

While the Roman army is often immortalised in heroic art and screen epics, Legion: Life in the Roman Army reveals what life was truly like for an ordinary soldier. The book explores daily life, including the experiences of women and enslaved people, through various rare objects and testimonies. These include letters from Apion and Terentianus, young Egyptian soldiers writing home to their families, the tombstone of 4-year-old Vacia, a poignant reminder of children's presence near forts, the remains of a soldier found at Herculaneum, killed in the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79, and a board game played by soldiers in their spare time.

Human experiences are set within the first three centuries of the common era, widely recognised as the Roman army's heyday. During this period, forces were divided into legions of citizen-only troops and auxiliary units of non-citizen troops, with the latter offered a possibility for citizenship and social advancement after approximately 25 years of service. The book not only describes the social dynamics within the army but also addresses its violent reality for both civilians and troops, examining battle tactics, weaponry, and the risks convicted soldiers faced, including the possibility of becoming amphitheatre entertainment.

The narrative travels from the deserts of North Africa to the chilling climes of Scotland, detailing the gruesome life of a medic and the loving correspondence between friends. Readers gain a vivid picture of life in the Roman army, encompassing both spectacular and ordinary experiences.

Praise for the British Museum Legion: Life in the Roman Army exhibition:

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Evening Standard

Time Out