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Gladius: The World of the Roman Soldier

By: Guy de la Bédoyère
Narrated by: Piers Hampton
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Publisher's summary

The Roman army was the greatest fighting machine in the ancient world. More than that, it was the single largest organization in Western antiquity, taking in members from all classes, from senators to freed slaves. The Roman Empire depended on its army not just to win its wars, defend its frontiers, and control the seas, but to act as the very engine of the state.

In Gladius, Guy de la Bedoyere takes us straight to the heart of what it meant to be a part of the Roman army. Rather than a history of the army itself, or a guide to military organization and fighting methods, this book is a ground-level recreation of what it was like to be a soldier in the army that made the empire. Surveying numerous aspects of life in the Roman army between 264 BCE and 337 CE, Gladius draws not only on the words of famed Roman historians, but also those of the soldiers themselves, as recorded in their religious dedications, tombstones, and even private letters and graffiti.

By illuminating the history of one organization that reflected all corners of the Roman world, gives us a portrait of an ancient society that is unprecedented in both its broad sweep and gritty intimacy.

©2020 Guy de la Bédoyère (P)2021 Tantor
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History
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What listeners say about Gladius: The World of the Roman Soldier

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Decent

Liked it. Nicely done. A lot of info and not bogged down with useless facts.

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Excellent listen

Good narrator, excellent book, recommend it completely, I will and have brought other books by same author

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Well done !

The book flows nicely. The story is easy to understand and very clear story chapters.

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A really easy listen

I’d recommend this book to everyone who wants a relaxing listen of the life of a roman soldier. Finished it in a week, the book really captivated me from the start.

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1 person found this helpful

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Well done narrative

The chapters are broken down quite well. So that the listener does not get overwhelmed by details.

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Nothing new here

Me: Why do you pronounce the great Roman historian’s name “Tackitus”?

Narrator: You imbecile, Latin is pronounced with a hard “c.”

Me: No other historian I’ve encountered pronounces it that way.

Narrator: I’m happy to be the only person pronouncing it correctly.

Me: Then why don’t you pronounce the great statesman Cicero as “Kickero”?

Narrator: [Looks down and shuffles his feet] Eh, well, um.

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4 people found this helpful