08-30-2009, 12:46 PM
Hello,
For problems with discipline and the quality of soldiers in late antiquity see Chapter 28 Companion to Roman Army and Chapter 12 Cambridge History of Greek and Roman Warfare volume 2.
For the issue of cutting off thumbs and the problems the late empire had in recruitment see Theodosius Empire at Bay by Williams and Friell p16
For general discussion on the diference in motivation of professional soldiers = Rome versus warriors = Barbarians I would recommend Azar Gat's War in Human Civilization or Van Creveld's Transformation of War.
For corruption I would Treadgold as mentioned, Goldsworthy How Rome Fell and MacMullen's Corruption and the Decline of Rome
For problems with discipline and the quality of soldiers in late antiquity see Chapter 28 Companion to Roman Army and Chapter 12 Cambridge History of Greek and Roman Warfare volume 2.
For the issue of cutting off thumbs and the problems the late empire had in recruitment see Theodosius Empire at Bay by Williams and Friell p16
For general discussion on the diference in motivation of professional soldiers = Rome versus warriors = Barbarians I would recommend Azar Gat's War in Human Civilization or Van Creveld's Transformation of War.
For corruption I would Treadgold as mentioned, Goldsworthy How Rome Fell and MacMullen's Corruption and the Decline of Rome
Andrew J M
