Roman Army

The Roman Army was one of the wonders of the ancient world. In the imperial period, a long-service, largely volunteer, professional force of at least 300,000 men guarded the frontiers, policed the provinces and the seas and protected the emperors. It was well-organized and equipped and very "modern" in its practices - not least its paperwork which tells us so much about it.

Courses on the Roman Army have been offered by UWA Extension beginning with one surveying the army from the regal period to the end of the Roman Empire (8th century BC to the 5th century AD).

The most recent course was that offered in June 2008:

Professor David Kennedy

"Everyday Life in the Roman Army"

Thursdays at 6.30-8.30: (5, 12, 19, 26 June 2008)

Session 1: Introduction. The Roman Imperial Army: First and Second Centuries AD
Session 2: Recruitment, Training and Service
Session 3: Soldier and Civilian. Families
Session 4: Survival and Retirement

Forthcoming

It is expected a further course will be offered in 2009. Provisionally that may be "The Face of Battle in the Roman World".

A discharge "diploma" on a bronze sheet issued in AD 160 to a Roman auxiliary soldier stationed in Syria in the Cohors I Sebastenorum (CIL XVI: 173). This regiment had probably originally been raised by the Jewish king Herod the Great but then incorporated into the Roman army after his death c. 6 BC.