This companion provides an extensive account of the Roman army,exploring its role in Roman politics and society as well as thereasons for its effectiveness as a fighting force. An extensive account of the Roman army, from its beginnings toits transformation in the later Roman Empire Examines the army as a military machine ? itsrecruitment, training, organization, tactics and weaponry Explores the relationship of the army to Roman politics,economics and society more broadly Considers the geography and climate of the lands in which theRomans fought Each chapter is written by a leading expert in a particularsubfield and takes account of the latest scholarly andarchaeological research in that area