Imperial Roman Naval Forces 31 BCAD 500 (Osprey Men-at-Arms #451)

The men that served in the roman fleets (classis) are described with great assertivity by the author, Raffaele D'Amato, in this great introduction to this long overlooked subject that curiously reflects the prejudices that the romans had against naval service. I must remind the reader that this book is about the Roman imperial naval forces; after de battle of Actium, not the Roman republican navy. You won't find information about the sea battles of the punic wars and the introduction of the corvus or the perfect campaign of Pompeus against the pirates. Most of this work centers in the early imperial period, but there are interesting snippets of information about the entire imperial period. Very good photographs of the usual sculptural evidence but also of some rare finds like a muscled cuirass found in a shipwreck dated Ist to IIIrd Century AD. The original art was painted by Graham Sumner...competently drawn, respecting archeological, sculptural or epigraphic evidence. Almost every aspect of the imperial naval forces are summarized including the way they were viewed, recruitment, the legions adiutrices, duties and daily life, clothing and their favorite colour (the blue), armour and weapons (both personal arms and the ships weaponry like the beak/rostrum, the turrets/pyrgoi or the artillery), etc. Also detailed are the organization of the fleets, localization of military ports, a chronology of the main naval engagements and a description of the several types of sailers, marines and officers. For a 48 page book its difficult to ask for more. The Roman Navy, Although Somewhat Overshadowed By The Legions, Played An Important Role For The Roman Empire. For The Army To Conquer And Rule Its Vast Territories, Control Of The Sea Lanes Was Essential. The Navy Fleets Needed To Be Structured And Powerful In Order To Dominate The Trade Routes, Transport Legions And Defend And Attack Against Pirates And Other Enemies. Under Augustus In 31bc, The Navy Consisted Of 800 Warships With Many Being Sent To Ravenna And Misenus In Italy, And Smaller Squadrons To The External Coasts (e.g. Gaul, Spain, Britain) And To The Major Rivers, To Support Land Operations (e.g. Rhine, Danube, Seine And Others). When Roman Coasts Came Under Attack From Teutonic Raiders In The 3rd And 4th Centuries, The Navy Played A Key Part In The Defense Of The Empire. This Book Provides A Detailed Re-evaluation Of The Vital Contribution Made By The Roman Navy To Imperial Power, Covering The Organization Of The Fleets And The Everyday Life Of The Soldiers.--publisher's Description. The Fleets -- Organization -- Clothing -- Armour & Weapons -- The Ships -- War At Sea. Raffaele D'amato ; Illustrated By Graham Sumner. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 42-43) And Index. The Roman navy, although somewhat overshadowed by the Legions, played an important role for the Roman Empire. For the army to conquer and rule its vast territories, control of the sea lanes was essential. The navy fleets needed to be structured and powerful in order to dominate the trade routes, transport Legions and defend and attack against pirates and other enemies. Under Augustus in 31BC, the navy consisted of 800 warships with many being sent to Ravenna and Misenus in Italy, and smaller squadrons to the external coasts (e.g. Gaul, Spain, Britain) and to the major rivers, to support land operations (e.g. Rhine, Danube, Seine and others). When Roman coasts came under attack from Teutonic raiders in the 3rd and 4th centuries, the navy played a key part in the defense of the empire. This book provides a detailed re-evaluation of the vital contribution made by the Roman navy to imperial power, covering the organization of the fleets and the everyday life of the soldiers. Previously unpublished research is complemented by superb color reconstructions of the uniforms and equipment, making this a central resource on a neglected piece of ancient history. COVER......Page 1 CONTENTS......Page 2 INTRODUCTION......Page 5 CHRONOLOGY......Page 6 THE FLEETS......Page 9 ORGANIZATION......Page 10 Officer ranks and specialists......Page 11 Recruitment......Page 13 Terms of service......Page 15 Duties ashore......Page 16 Cloaks and tunics......Page 18 Footwear......Page 19 Colours......Page 20 Helmets......Page 22 Body armour......Page 23 Shields......Page 24 Weapons......Page 25 Weapons......Page 35 Construction......Page 36 Propulsion......Page 37 Ship types......Page 38 Armament and decoration......Page 40 WAR AT SEA......Page 42 SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY......Page 44 PLATE COMMENTARIES......Page 46 INDEX......Page 50 COVER......Page 52 Beskrivelse af det romerske kejseriges flådestyrker i perioden 31 f. Kr. til 468 e. Kr., herunder flådens organisation, personellet, rekruttering, tjenestetid og tjenesten i øvrigt, beklædning, personlig udrustning og våben, skibenes konstruktion og krigen til søs Offers a re-evaluation of the vital contribution made by the Roman navy to Roman imperial power, covering the organisation of the fleets and the everyday life of the soldiers.