In AD 400 Roman rule in Britain was collapsing as the thinly stretched empire was besieged on all sides. In "The Last Legionary", Paul Elliot explores all aspects of Late Roman military life, from recruitment to weaponry, marriage to wages, warfare to religion. It explores the world of the Roman soldier through the eyes of one man, posted to a British garrison at the edge of the empire, and follows the soldier's life through training and battle, marriage and business dealings, finally following him south as he leaves Britain for good in defence of Rome. When the legionary finally escapes the worst posting in the Roman Empire, it is only to join what effectively became a death march over the Alps, without food or shelter. To know what is was like to face the chanted battle cry, the charge and slashing axes of the Goths, and to understand why the order 'March out!' was so terrifying, read Paul Elliott's mesmerising, meticulously accurate account.
- ISBN10 0752474669
- ISBN13 9780752474663
- Publish Date 23 September 2016 (first published 15 March 2007)
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country GB
- Imprint The History Press Ltd
- Format eBook (EPUB)
- Pages 240
- Language English