Vt Milites DicVntVr: A Dictionary of Roman Military Terms and Terminology: Volume 5 (Per Lineam Valli)

An excellent quick-reference book, whether you're a professional historian/archaeologist or a 'layman' looking to learn more. If you're not sure about the difference between a tribulus and a tribunus, this is the place to go (for the record, one's a caltrop, the other's an officer). Bear in mind it is what a claims to be - a dictionary, not an encyclopaedia, so the definitions are generally quite terse. If you want to know, say, details about the construction and appearance of a carroballista, you'll need to look elsewhere. It's also worth noting that the vast majority of terms are in Latin or Greek (rendered into the modern English alphabet) so, for example, if you're looking for 'legionary' you'll need to look under 'legionarius'. The dictionary contains both original terms and the most common modern terms (like 'lorica segmentata'), clearly distinguished and referenced. It also has a handy list of epigraphic abbreviations, useful in translating inscriptions, and an interesting list of late Latin military commands. Although not heavily illustrated, there is a good selection of photos, drawings and diagrams to help clarify certain points.

This is a really good book and I have been using constantly as I learn the Latin language in my previous review and comments about the Cambridge Latin Course Books 1 and 2 and the Cambridge Latin Grammar Book, but is also a great asset to have when I read my other Roman History books to find the meaning of a word which is Latin.

If you want to understand the Roman military, especially the obscure bits, this is for you.

Very good - no I can understand the military terminology.

Great