At its height the Roman Empire stretched across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, maintained by an army of modest size but great diversity. In popular culture these soldiers are often portrayed in a generic fashion,
but continuing research indicates significant variations in Roman armour and equipment not only between different legions and the provincially-raised auxiliary cohorts that made up half of the army, but also between different regions within the empire. With reference to the latest archaeological and documentary evidence Dr D'Amato investigates how Roman Army units in the Western provinces were equipped, exploring the local influences and traditions that caused the variations in attire.

Raffaele D'Amato, PhD, is the author of some 40 books and has written numerous articles on the Roman Empire, Byzantium, medieval Europe and the military of Ancient Greece. He has taught at the University of Ferrara, and was a visiting professor at Fatih University, Istanbul. He currently lives in England, working as an archaeological consultant and lawyer for Timeline Auctions Ltd of Harwich, and also as an external researcher for the Laboratory of the Danubian Provinces at the University of Ferrara.

Introduction/ Chronology/ The borders and the Roman army/ Distribution of the Roman army in the Western Provinces of Europe and North Africa: legiones, auxilia, numeri, vexillationes/ Table of identified units/ Arms, equipment and clothing in the Western Provinces: Belgica, Britannia, Aquitania, Gallia Lugdunensis, Gallia Narbonensis, Germania Inferior, Germania Superior, Raetia, Alpes Poeninae, Alpes Maritimae, Alpes Cottiae, Italia, Sicilia, Sardinia; Noricum, Pannonia, Dalmatia, Tarraconensis, Baetica, Lusitania; Africa, Mauretania Tingitana, and Mauretania Caesariensis/ Bibliography