The Persian Wars of Heraclius
by Kurs In this article, I will try to throw some light on the Persian campaigns of the emperor Heraclius (who reigned AD 610 – 641), which in most historical …
The Roman Empire Timeline: An Animated Journey Through Antiquity
An animated map showing the growth of Rome over the years from its start as a Republic and transformation into an Empire. It then splits into the Eastern Byzantine Empire …
Aurelian’s Campaign in the East
AD 272/273 by ‘Emperor Aurelianus’ Background to the Conflict The conflict between Zenobia of Palmyra and Aurelian took place for the most part in 272ad, in the second year of …
To what extent were economic factors to blame for the deterioration of the Roman Empire in the Third Century A.D?
by Julian Fenner For centuries, historians have tried to understand the causes of the decline of the Roman Empire, in particular the causes of the third century crisis. The fact that …
Army Soldier Dress, Armor, & Weapons
A collection of pictures of soldiers with their armour/equipment (recreated from historical accounts). Hoplite (5th century BC) Veles, plural: velites (3rd/2nd century BC) Hastatus (3rd/2nd Century BC) Triarius (3rd/2nd Century BC) …
Siege Warfare
Siege Warfare – Tactics Ancient Romans were experts in siege warfare. In conducting sieges, the Romans showed their practical genius combined with ruthless thoroughness. If a place could not be …
Roman Navy
The Roman Navy was always considered an inferior arm and was strictly under army control. But already during the First Punic War, Rome proved itself capable of launching a fleet …
Roman Military Training: The Foundation of Rome’s Conquest
Introduction: Discover the unparalleled training techniques that built the Roman Military into an iconic force in ancient history. This comprehensive guide delves into the rigorous training regimens that transformed ordinary …
Army Career
Roman society was governed by class and so in effect, there were three separate army career options possible, that of the common soldier in the ranks, that of the equestrians, …
How to become a Roman soldier?
The Recruit of the Republican Army (before the Reforms of Marius) War offered the Roman citizen of the republic the possibility of returning covered in glory, having won both land …
The Auxilia
There were three kinds of units in the auxilia of the early empire. The cavalry alae, the infantry cohorts and the mixed infantry and horsemen cohortes equitatae. The Ala (The …
The Roman Standards
Nothing in military history quite matches the Roman standards. Perhaps the closest equivalent is the regimental colors in contemporary armies. The Roman standards, the signa were a recognition signal and …
Legion Name List
This is not a complete list of all legions, but a listing of examples of legionary nick-names and their origins. NAME ORIGIN OF NAME TIME OF CREATION I Adiutrix pia …
Roman Military Tactics
Information about tactics can be derived from accounts of battles, but the very military manuals known to have existed and to have been used extensively by commanders, have not survived. …