Gladius: The World of the Roman Soldier

By: Guy de la Bédoyère

Narrated by: Piers Hampton

The Roman army was the greatest fighting machine in the ancient world. More than that, it was the single largest organization in Western antiquity, taking in members from all classes, from senators to freed slaves. The Roman Empire depended on its army not just to win its wars, defend its frontiers, and control the seas, but to act as the very engine of the state.

In Gladius, Guy de la Bedoyere takes us straight to the heart of what it meant to be a part of the Roman army. Rather than a history of the army itself, or a guide to military organization and fighting methods, this book is a ground-level recreation of what it was like to be a soldier in the army that made the empire. Surveying numerous aspects of life in the Roman army between 264 BCE and 337 CE, Gladius draws not only on the words of famed Roman historians, but also those of the soldiers themselves, as recorded in their religious dedications, tombstones, and even private letters and graffiti.

By illuminating the history of one organization that reflected all corners of the Roman world, gives us a portrait of an ancient society that is unprecedented in both its broad sweep and gritty intimacy.

©2020 Guy de la Bédoyère (P)2021 Tantor

Excellent

Extremely insightful description of Roman soldiers. I highly recommend this one for those searching for an understanding of the ancient world.

Decent

Liked it. Nicely done. A lot of info and not bogged down with useless facts.

Well done !

The book flows nicely. The story is easy to understand and very clear story chapters.

Great Details

Really enjoyed this one. The details were great. The narration was excellent as well. Very. well done.

Excellent research that reads like a thriller novel!

Guy de la Bedoyere is a well-known historian who sifts through the many facts available on ancient Rome, its life, and its well-known soldiers, and organizes these details to create books that are very interesting. His writing flows, and the readers feel they get to know the individual people and the reasons for their actions. The author provides details to explain the pros and cons of particular battles and the effects of these events on future generations.