Legio17

Superb review written with an in-depth knowledge of the times and subject matter. Thank you for taking the time and making the effort to tell us about this wonderful book.

The reviewers enthusiasm and able description is what I look for in a book review. Great job.

Excellent review. A must have book. New concepts, old ones overturned. Maybe a better picture of the battle near Adrianople and the role of cavalry.

That was truly one of the most fascinating interviews I've read. This was an entirely new research area for me and drove me to look up several terms used in the interview that were unfamiliar. The individual conducting the interview and the book's two authors did an outstanding job.

Sometimes, as we all know, we have to suffer through a not "edge of my seat" read, but this book sounds like it may shed some light on a very tumultuous period in Roman history. Having read the historical fiction novel Galba's Men by L.J. Trafford and thus received an introduction to the year of the Four Emperors, it would be interesting to compare the two books. My compliments to the reviewer for an honest and detailed review.

I thought the review was exceptionally well written and leaves no doubt as to the content and scholarship of the book. I hope it has maps and illustrations to help the reader with the geography of the vast area covered by the book. Am puzzled as to why he is not funded by a University.

I am equally impressed with the review as with the book itself. Dr. Mates write that the book is "an extraordinary erudite book." I would add that the review falls in the same category. Congratulations for a job well done!

The book sounds absolutely fascinating and the reviewer did an outstanding job!

I'm happy to announce that I just published book #4 in the Legio XVII series on Amazon and Smashwords. I think it's the best one yet! Lots of action! Here's the book's description: Following Hannibal’s defeat by Publius Cornelius Scipio at the Battle of Zama in 202 BC, Rome dramatically reduces the size of its Army and withdraws her Legions from Northern Italy. Carthaginian General Hamilcar though had remained in Northern Italy after Mago’s defeat in 203 BC to stir the Gauls to rebellion against Rome, leading to the sacking of the Roman colony at Placentia and the siege of the colony at Cremona. Rome responds to the threat by sending three Legions to the area who come face to face with 35,000 Gauls in the Battle of Cremona. Shortly after the battle, Legio XVII is forced to take refuge on a hill and fortify it against repeated attacks by 13,000 Apuani warriors who arrive too late to fight at Cremona but still aim to do their part to destroy Rome. This story follows Titus, son of retired Praetor Manius Tullus of Legio XVII, from the time he marries the daughter of the Cenomani Chief in 205 BC, through his military training, to his participation in the Battle of Cremona in 200 BC and its exciting aftermath. Here's the Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Legio-XVII-Strikes-Thomas-Timmes-ebook/dp/B01I8HH38S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1468247842&sr=8-1&keywords=Legio+XVII%3A++The+Eagle+Strikes

At the moment, I would be most interested in the third book on the list, "Republican Roman Warships 509-27 BC." According to the book description, the author dwells on the Roman navy during the Punic Wars, which has been my focus of study for the last five years.

Good call Viggen. Too bad about the server problem. I remember Mr. Walsh's question, so it's not lost. This post addresses the missing question from the South African Armor officer. First accept my congratulations for a long and distinguished career in the SANDF. In the picture you posted, it appeared you were atop an Oliphant Mark Two tank? You asked an interesting question, which as I recall, addressed Roman Officer training vis a vis the use of mercenaries by the Carthaginians as a possible reason for Roman victories in Spain and at Zama. I scanned Vegetius and read several articles that discussed Roman Officer training. Best I can determine is that there was no formal Roman Officer training and education programs like those that exist in most modern armies today. There was no Roman equivalent of West Point, Officer Basic and Advance Courses, Command and General Staff College or Senior Service Colleges not to mention the innumerable shorter courses most Officers are required to attend. It appears that Roman leaders learned their skills via on-the-job training. Fathers took their Roman sons on campaigns to begin the process and individuals were appointed to leadership positions to observe and learn. Despite this lack of formal training and education, the Roman Officer corps performed admirably. I attribute this to the corps of professional officers in lower, but highly influential, leadership positions such as the Centurions. A few intangible factors also contributed to Roman Army success. The men were similarly trained and equipped. They were disciplined and physically conditioned. They had esprit de corps, knew the man on their left and right, fought for one another, trusted their leadership, and were subsequently honored for their service. Use of mercenaries presents a whole host of problems including language incompatibility, differing tactics and weapons, questionable loyalty and physical stamina, and lack of common command and control techniques, to name a few. For these reasons, I agree with your hypothesis that a homogenous army has the advantage over an army comprised mostly of mercenaries from several different cultures.

Thank you for asking an excellent question. I addressed this question in the Preface to my first book, Legio XVII: Roman Legion at War, but upon reflection, I realized that a complete answer goes much deeper. Your question really got me thinking because, I believe, it speaks to the much broader issue of what drives our interests, hobbies, and, perhaps, even our choice of employment. I'm not sure how widely this may apply, but for me, Personality is behind so much of what motivates me to do what I do. I like order, neatness, logical rules, an orderly progression of events, simplicity and justice, which is pretty hard to find in our world. I found the order I was seeking by joining the Army. We were a good match! As I read about ancient Rome, I admired the Republican period as an era that shared my views. To this day, I have little desire to read about the Imperial period or of Rome in decline. I can't identify with it, too messy, whereas I feel comfortable with Rome in the 300-100 BC time period. So, the short answer is that I'm more at home with Rome during the Punic and Gallic wars, than Rome of a later period. Thanks for a thoughtful question!

I'm very pleased to announced publication of my latest book. The Legio XVII series, Roman Legion at War, Battle of the Danube, and just published Battle of Zama are historical fiction novels that take place during Rome’s Second Punic War with Carthage (218 - 202 BC). The fictional exploits of Legio XVII are impacted by the Punic War and its military operations are conducted in support of the overall war effort, but do not intrude into or alter actual historical events. Together, the three books present a complete summary of that ancient War. It’s available at Amazon, B&N, Apple, Smashwords, etc. Here’s the link to Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Legio-XVII-Battle-Thomas-Timmes-ebook/dp/B00ZDZONZ0/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1434061497&sr=1-1&keywords=legio+XVII%3A+Battle+of+Zama Hope you enjoy it as much as I did writing it! Legio XVII: Battle of Zama - by Thomas A. Timmes

Thank you Caldrail. Sound practical advice.

Onasander, Wow! I hardly know how to respond to such a stunning display of knowledge! I had to "goggle-search" my way through your review to try to keep up with you. You've written a master piece of analysis. Calling it a "Book Review" doesn't do it justice. It's a stand-alone history lesson that challenges the reader's curiosity. Congratulation! Exceedingly well done.