History provides us with a number of examples of nations or individuals riding a tiger they dare not dismount. The ancient Spartans conquered and enslaved their neighbors, the Messenians, around 700 B.C. Fearing a bloody uprising, the Spartans redesigned their society to prevent such an event. Every Spartiate male was required to train as […]
How Did the Roman Republic Differ from the Roman Empire?
June 1, 2024 By Leave a Comment
The Roman Republic was a plutocratic oligarchy. As is generally true of republics, it was a mixed constitution with a monarchic component, the Consuls, and aristocratic component, the Senate, and a democratic component, the Assemblies of the Plebes. The plebes had their representatives, the Tribunes of the Plebes who could veto proposals of the Senate. […]
Legionary: The Roman Soldier’s (Unofficial) Manual by Philip Matyszak
May 12, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Anyone writing historical fiction or non-fiction about ancient Rome would do well to read Legionary, the Roman Soldier’s (Unofficial) Manual. This book tells all of the ins and outs of the Roman army-recruitment, training, gear, working conditions, benefits and drawbacks, possible assignments and promotion opportunities, various places you may be sent to, characteristics of possible […]
Book Review: Marching With Caesar-Civil War
January 21, 2013 By Leave a Comment
In the first novel of R.W. Peake’s Marching With Caesar series readers were treated to a detailed account of what life was like as a Roman legionary involved in foreign conquests. Peake’s latest historical novel, Marching with Caesar-Civil War is in some ways even more fascinating than the first because the central character, Titus Pullus […]
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