Roman Legionary AD 69-161 (Osprey Warrior 166)

Between AD 69 and 161 the composition of the Roman legions was transformed. Italians were almost entirely replaced by provincial recruits, and yet the ‘Roman-ness’ of these Germans, Pannonians, Spaniards, Africans and Syrians, fostered in isolated fortresses on the frontiers, was incredibly strong. Like the Italian yeomen who had battled Pyrrhus and Hannibal centuries before, the provincial legionaries were imbued with the traditional ethos of the Roman army. They were highly competitive, jealous of their honour, and driven by the need to maintain and enhance their reputations for virtus, that is manly courage and excellence. This title examines life of the typical Roman legionary of the period from his enlistment onwards, how his legion was organized for battle, how he was trained for combat, and what his life was like on campaign.