Early Roman Warfare: From the Regal Period to the First Punic War

This ancient Roman military study examines the origins of the Classical world's most formidable war machine.
While copious amounts have been written about the Roman army, most study has focused on the later Republic or the Imperial period when the legionary system was already well-developed. Here Dr. Jeremy Armstrong traces the development of Rome's military might from its earliest discernible origins down to the First Punic War.
Armstrong shows how the early Roman armies evolved from ad-hoc forces from individual clans to the sophisticated legions that went on to dominate all of Italy and, eventually, the entire Mediterranean world. The author reviews both literary sources and archaeological evidence to provide a fresh analysis of Roman military organization, equipment, tactics, and strategy. This study also examines how Rome's military apparatus adapted to meet the changing strategic needs of new enemies and broader ambitions.