Aspects of defence in Roman Europe, AD 350-500
This thesis has three parts which can be briefly described as the nature of the threat, the instrument of response and the method of response. Before discussing the military system of the Roman empire, it is necessary to examine its enemies, to see how and why they fought. The first part of the thesis looks at the limitations of the evidence concerning barbarians. It then discusses the social and economic basis of barbarian life, showing their potential for war and the type of threat presented to the Roman empire. The next section deals with the types of conflict between Rome and the barbarians and the reasons for it. There then follows a detailed discussion of barbarian armies and their equipment, strategy and tactics when fighting the Romans. The second section discusses the Roman army. Initially, the organisation of the army is examined, then its troop types and their equipment. This is done with regard to both land and naval forces. Then the sources of soldiers and the problem of barbarization are discussed in some depth. Lastly, the types of fixed defences are briefly examined. Having examined the instrument of response, the third section discusses how it was used. It starts by examining the conditions
Elton, Hugh William
Army ; Defenses ; History ; Strategic aspects ; Rome ; Germanic Invasions, 3rd-6th centuries
Aspects of defence in Roman Europe, AD 350-500. This thesis has three parts which can be briefly described as the nature of the threat, the instrument of response and the method of response. Before discussing the military system of the Roman empire, it is necessary to examine its enemies, to see how and why they fought. The first part of the thesis looks at the limitations of the evidence concerning barbarians. It then discusses the social and economic basis of barbarian life, showing their potential for war and the type of threat presented to the Roman empire. The next section deals with the types of conflict between Rome and the barbarians and the reasons for it. There then follows a detailed discussion of barbarian armies and their equipment, strategy and tactics when fighting the Romans. The second section discusses the Roman army. Initially, the organisation of the army is examined, then its troop types and their equipment. This is done with regard to both land and naval forces. Then the sources of soldiers and the problem of barbarization are discussed in some depth. Lastly, the types of fixed defences are briefly examined. Having examined the instrument of response, the third section discusses how it was used. It starts by examining the conditions
aspects defence roman europe three_part briefly describe nature threat instrument response method response discuss military system roman_empire necessary examine enemy see fought first_part look limitation evidence_concern barbarian discus social_economic basis barbarian life show potential war type threat present roman_empire next_section deal type conflict rome barbarian reason follow_detailed discussion barbarian army equipment strategy_tactic fight romans second_section discus roman_army initially organisation army examine troop type equipment regard land naval force source soldier problem discuss depth lastly type fix defence briefly_examine examine instrument response third_section discus use start examine condition