The Roman Army in the Era of the Empire

Pre-requisites: No prerequisites

Course objectives: Acquiring relevant knowledge on the history of the roman army during the Roman empire.

Course description: On the basis of epigraphical and numismatic sources, students will be introduced to the history of the roman army as it functioned during the era of the Roman empire. The course will address all types of units and detachments - legions, special units, praetorian guard, urban cohorts and vigils, naval floats, numerus). We will examine military hierarchy, duration of service, conditions for discharge, family and social status of soldiers and other questions tied to the history of the roman army.

Learning Outcomes: Acquired knowledge of the history of the roman army during the Roman empire.

Literature/Reading:

• G. Webster, The Roman Imperial Army, London 1969.
• Y. le Bohec, L’armée romaine, Paris 1990.
• M. Durry, Les cohortes prétoriennes, Paris 1938.
• P. A. Holder, Studies in the Auxilia of the Roman Army from Augustus to Trajan, Oxford 1980.
• P. Southern, The Numeri of the Roman Imperial Army, Britannia 20, 1989, 81-140.
• C. G. Starr, Roman Imperial Navy 31 BC – AD 324, Cambridge 1960.