Fun, short, simple and in full colour! You won't end up knowing the list of the 4th century emperors, but you'll never again confuse a Roman legionary of Augustus with one of Constantine, and one of Constantine with a Viking. Weapons and helmets, formations, logistics, their families or religion, explained in a few lines and with more than 50 drawings which fill these pages with life. Nothing else is intended. Watch to learn. For those who already know the period, it might seem brief, for the rest it opens the doors to the most unknown and decisive period of the Roman Empire; and well, the drawings are so cute...

A full-color history of the late Roman Army, many of which were commissioned for this book. It cover the period from 250 to 500 AD, with information on both the eastern and western Empire

The twilight of the Roman Empire saw a revolution in the way war was waged. The drilled infantryman, who had been the mainstay of Mediterranean armies since the days of the Greek hoplite, was gradually replaced by the mounted warrior. This change did not take place overnight, and in the 3rd and 4th centuries the role of the cavalryman was primarily to support the infantry. However, by the time of the 6th century, the situation had been completely reversed. Late Roman Cavalryman gives a full account of the changing experience of the mounted soldiers who defended Rome's withering western empire.

The Imperial Army established by Augustus drew heavily on the nomenclature and traditions of the late Roman Republic, but was revolutionary in its design. He decided to meet all the military needs of the Empire from a standing, professional army. Military service became a career, and pay and service conditions were established that took account of the categories of soldier in the army: the Praetorian Guard, the citizen legionary troops, and the non-citizen auxiliaries. Enlistment was for 25 years (16 in the Guard), and men were sometimes retained even longer. The loyalty of the new army was to the emperor as commander-in-chief, and not to either the Senate or the People of Rome. Imperial legions became permanent units with their own numbers and titles and many were to remain in existence for centuries to come. Likewise, the auxiliary units (auxilia) of the army were completely reorganized and given regular status. Trained to the same standards of discipline as the legions, the men were long-serving professional soldiers like the legionaries and served in units that were equally permanent. Drawn from a wide range of peoples throughout the provinces, especially on the fringes of the Empire, the auxilia were non-citizens and would receive Roman citizenship upon completion of their twenty-five years under arms.

An illustrated history exploring the Imperial Roman army’s many facets, including uniforms, weapons, buildings, and their duties. Compared to modern standard, the Roman army of the Imperial era was surprisingly small. However, when assessed in terms of their various tasks, they by far outstrip modern armies—acting not only as an armed power of the state in external and internal conflicts, but also carrying out functions nowadays performed by police, local government, customs, and tax authorities, as well as constructing roads, ships, and buildings. With this volume, Thomas Fischer presents a comprehensive and unique exploration of the Roman military of the Imperial era. With over 600 illustrations, the costumes, weapons and equipment of the Roman army are explored in detail using archaeological finds dating from the late Republic to Late Antiquity, and from all over the Roman Empire. The army’s buildings and fortifications are also featured. Finally, conflicts, border security, weaponry, and artifacts are all compared, offering a look at the development of the army through time. This work is intended for experts as well as to readers with a general interest in Roman history. It is also a treasure-trove for re-enactment groups, as it puts many common perceptions of the weaponry, equipment, and dress of the Roman army to the test.

Fran Guil returns with a new visual and informative work. This time we travel to Sengoku-jidai Japan, the Country at War (16th century), where they fight day in and day out. The samurai are at their peak, but are these famous warriors really what we think they are? Are they really guided by bushido? Is the katana really the soul of the samurai? Sengoku samurai or Edo samurai - which is the real thing? Amusing, full-colour vignettes illustrate in detail the appearance and the most diverse situations of these legendary warriors. We will discover the real protagonists of the battlefields of the time: the ashigarus (light-footed). Sieges, battles, Mongols, warrior monks, samurai women, Korea, the arrival of the Portuguese, the arquebus, the recipe for oniguiri. And we'll still find time to talk about ninjas! In the same vein as the previous The Late Roman Cartoon Army! (2020), this book is short, succinct and entertaining. The protagonists are undoubtedly the more than 50 drawings that, accompanied by an explanatory text, make up the chapters of the book. In this case, the reference to films reinforces this visual work.