Digital Maps of the Ancient World

Identity in the Roman Army

Embark on a journey into the complexities of identity within the Roman army with our curated reading list.

Explore the multifaceted dimensions of identity formation among soldiers serving in the legions and auxilia of ancient Rome. Our selection of scholarship delves into the diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, and cultures represented within the ranks of the Roman military, shedding light on how individuals negotiated their identities amidst the rigid structures of the army. From discussions on citizenship, social status, and cultural assimilation to examinations of soldiers’ loyalty, camaraderie, and sense of belonging, these works offer nuanced perspectives on the intricate interplay between personal identity and collective military identity in the Roman world. Delve into the experiences of soldiers from diverse regions of the empire, from the Italian heartland to the far-flung provinces, and uncover the ways in which their identities were shaped by their service in one of history’s most renowned military institutions.

General

• Coulston, J.C.N., ‘Military identity and personal self-identity in the Roman army’, in L. De Ligt, E.A. Hemelrijk and H.W. Singor (ed.), Roman Rule and Civic Life: Local and Regional Perspectives, Amsterdam, 2004, 135-52.

Further Reading

• Alston, R., ‘The ties that bind: soldiers and societies’, Goldsworthy & Haynes 1999, 175-95.
• Birley, A.R., Officers of the Second Augustan Legion in Britain: The Third Annual Caerleon Lecture. In Honorem Aquilae Legionis II Augustae, 1990, Cardiff.
• Bishop, M.C., ‘On parade: status, display and morale in the Roman army’, in H. Vetters and M.
• Kandler (ed.), Akten des 14. internationalen Limeskongresses 1986 in Carnuntum, Wien, 1990, 21-30.
• Bishop, M.C., ‘The early imperial “apron”‘, Journal of Roman Military Equipment Studies 3, 1992, 81-104.
• Brunt, P.A., ‘Did imperial Rome disarm her subjects?’, Phoenix 29, 1975, 260-70.
• Coulston, J.C., ‘Three legionaries at Croy Hill’, in Coulston 1988, 1-29.
• Coulston 1998.
• Coulston, J.C.N., ‘Art, culture and service: the depiction of soldiers on funerary monuments of the 3^rd century AD’, in Blois, L. de and Lo Cascio, E. (ed.), The Impact of the Roman Army (200 BC – AD 476). Economic, Social, Political, Religious and Cultural Aspects, Impact of Empire 6, Leiden, 2007, 529-61.
• Cowan, R., Roman Legionary: 58 BC-AD 69, Oxford, 2003.
• Cowan, R., Roman Guardsman 62 BC-AD 324, Oxford, 2014.
• D’Amato, R., Roman Centurions: 31 BC-AD 500, Oxford, 2012.
• Fields, N., Roman Auxiliary Cavalryman: AD 14-193, Oxford, 2006.
• Fields, N., Early Roman Warrior: 753-321 BC, Oxford, 2011.
• Gardner, A., ‘Identities in the Late Roman army: material and textual perspectives’, in G. Fincham, G. Harrison, R. Holland & L. Revell (ed.), TRAC 2000. Proceedings of the Tenth Theoretical Roman Archaeology Conference, Oxford, 2001, 35-47.
• Gardner, A., An Archaeology of Identity. Soldiers and Society in Late Roman Britain, Walnut Creek, 2007.
• James, S., ‘The community of the soldiers: a major identity and centre of power in the Roman empire’, in P. Baker, C. Forcey, S. Jundi & B. Witcher (ed.), Proceedings of the Eighth Annual Theoretical Roman Archaeology Conference, Leicester, 1998, Oxford, 2000, 14-25.
• Pegler, A., ‘Social organisations within the Roman army’, in K. Meadows, C. Lemke & J. Heron
• (ed.), TRAC 1996. Proceedings of the Sixth Theoretical Roman Archaeology Conference,
• Oxford, 1997, 37-43.
• Speidel, M.P., ‘The fustis as a soldier’s weapon’, Antiquités Africaines 29, 1993, 137-49.