Warrior Imperial Roman Legionary 161-284AD Osprey Books

Beween AD 161 and 244 the Roman legions were involved in wars and battles on a scale not seen since the late Republic. Legions were destroyed in battle, disbanded for mutiny and rebellion and formed to wage wars of conquest and defence. For the first time a legion was stationed in Italy itself. The status and appearance of the legionary changed considerably during this period, and the fashions set by the miltary were in turn followed by the civilian population, including senators and patricians. The legionary's pay was raised for the first time in more than a century and successive rises caused revolts because of the resulting massive tax burden. More importantly from the soldier's point of view, after a ban of more than two centuries he was finally allowed to contract a legal marriage. This volumes explores the experience of the imperial legionary, concentrating on Legio II Parthica. Raised by the emperor Septimus Severus in 193/4, it was based at Albanum near Rome and as the emperor's personal legion became one of the most important units in the empire. It was the last traditionally organised legion to fight as a complete unit, and the first to contain official corps of lanciarii (light javelin men and bodyguards), phalangites and archers.