Roman History books recommendations.

**ray243** · 01-17-2009, 19:51

Originally Posted by ||Lz3||

The complete roman army by Adrian Goldsworthy

I would ignore Goldsworthy, given his analysis of the later era Roman army is pretty weak in my opinion.

If you want something that is really detailed in regards to many eras, try A Companion to the Roman Army By Paul Erdkamp. This book does not glorify the Prinicipate era army, which makes it more useful in my opinion.

Google books has a preview for you guys if you want to read it. A preview which is legal.

The sheer amount of information is huge, and it does not give a bias look at the later era Roman army.

**ray243** · 01-17-2009, 19:54

Originally Posted by ray243

I would ignore Goldsworthy, given his analysis of the later era Roman army is pretty weak in my opinion.

If you want something that is really detailed in regards to many eras, try A Companion to the Roman Army By Paul Erdkamp. This book does not glorify the Prinicipate era army, which makes it more useful in my opinion.

Google books has a preview for you guys if you want to read it. A preview which is legal.

The sheer amount of information is huge, and it does not give a bias look at the later era Roman army.

Here is the link.

http://books.google.com/books?id=hR7...n+army#PPP1,M1

**Aodhan** · 01-17-2009, 22:28

Here are two good ones for the Celtic world, both by Berresford Ellis:

Celt and Roman,
The Celtic Empire

I’ll post others when I remember them.

Celt and Roman, is a good overview of the contact and wars between the Romans and Cis Alpine Gauls.

The Celtic Empire, is a good overview of Celtic expansion, culture, wars, subjugation and other happenings between 1000BC and 51AD, it’s a little dated now but it’s a good starter history.

**thecellarlife** · 01-19-2009, 16:52

The Companion to the Roman Army is pretty good by looking at the preview, but I looked up it's price on Amazon.com. A mind blowing $140. I can't see how it could be worth spending that much. The book I mentioned when I started this thread gave just as much, if not more detailed information about the early kingdom and early republic. It's only 200 pages less, but per-page it fits much more information, and for only $20 at borders.

If the book wasn't so damn expensive I'd probably go and pick it up. Good suggestion though. I'll check out the others you guys mentioned on Carthage and the Gauls.

**Macilrille** · 01-19-2009, 18:14

Questions
1. What is your specific interest?
2. What languages do you read?

Palle Rasmussen, Ma. Hist.

**ray243** · 01-20-2009, 00:53

Originally Posted by thecellarlife

The Companion to the Roman Army is pretty good by looking at the preview, but I looked up it's price on Amazon.com. A mind blowing $140. I can't see how it could be worth spending that much. The book I mentioned when I started this thread gave just as much, if not more detailed information about the early kingdom and early republic. It's only 200 pages less, but per-page it fits much more information, and for only $20 at borders.

If the book wasn't so damn expensive I'd probably go and pick it up. Good suggestion though. I'll check out the others you guys mentioned on Carthage and the Gauls.

You can always use the Library.

**Hax** · 01-20-2009, 01:01

Not so much Roman history, but Pontic:

I just ordered Mithridates the Great by Philip Matyszak. Wonder if it's any good.

**lobf** · 01-20-2009, 02:43

Originally Posted by ray243

I would ignore Goldsworthy, given his analysis of the later era Roman army is pretty weak in my opinion.

If you want something that is really detailed in regards to many eras, try A Companion to the Roman Army By Paul Erdkamp. This book does not glorify the Prinicipate era army, which makes it more useful in my opinion.

Google books has a preview for you guys if you want to read it. A preview which is legal.

The sheer amount of information is huge, and it does not give a bias look at the later era Roman army.

IIRc that book costs ~$170.

**ray243** · 01-20-2009, 14:49

Originally Posted by lobf

IIRc that book costs ~$170.

Which is why I suggest you to look up in the library.

Even so, the preview alone is good enough.

Their infomation about the Roman army after the death of Commodus and during the 3rd century Crisis is helpful.

**Frostwulf** · 01-20-2009, 22:49

Originally Posted by ray243

I would ignore Goldsworthy, given his analysis of the later era Roman army is pretty weak in my opinion.

For my part I read him because of the high remarks in his peer reviews he gets. He is used as a reference in books that are coming out, such as "Soldiers and Ghosts" and a few others I can't recall off hand. I have read a couple other forum folk say they didn't think much of Goldsworthy, I was wondering why? Is there a historian you have read that completely lambastes Goldsworthy? If so I'm interested to know who, it would be in contrast to the multitude of other historians who claim him to be one of the best in his field. But don't go on my word, look up his peer reviews!

**ray243** · 01-21-2009, 15:57

Originally Posted by Frostwulf

For my part I read him because of the high remarks in his peer reviews he gets. He is used as a reference in books that are coming out, such as "Soldiers and Ghosts" and a few others I can't recall off hand. I have read a couple other forum folk say they didn't think much of Goldsworthy, I was wondering why? Is there a historian you have read that completely lambastes Goldsworthy? If so I'm interested to know who, it would be in contrast to the multitude of other historians who claim him to be one of the best in his field. But don't go on my word, look up his peer reviews!

If anything, try and look up on the German Historians in regards to late era Roman army.

A lot of generic ideas like the Roman army was weak in the late empire was rebutted.

**ray243** · 01-21-2009, 16:03

Oh ya, another book to recommend, much cheaper.

http://books.google.de/books?id=r2hB...tcover#PPP1,M1

The Imperial Roman Army
Von Yann Le Bohec

Only 30 plus bucks.

**Frostwulf** · 01-22-2009, 01:10

@ray243 while I haven't read Goldsworthy's Complete Roman army(flipped through some of it) I have read others (Roman army at war 100bc-200ad, Caesar, and a few others) they were well written. I like the link to the book by Le Bohec and was wondering what German authors you were referring to?

A lot of generic ideas like the Roman army was weak in the late empire was rebutted.

When talking of weaker, are you referring to amount of troops,quality of troops, commanders, arms and armor, etc. etc.? What is Goldsworthy being rebutted on?