12-30-2002, 11:01 AM
Avete!<br>
<br>
Just picked up <em>Caesar's Legion</em>, by Stephen Dando-Collins (John Wiley & Sons, Inc, NY, c/r 2002), and it's absolutely <em>spectacular!</em> Written in a similar genre to Michael Shaara's ACW epic The Killer Angels, it covers in detail the history of Legio X, from it's recruitment in Spain to just after they storm Masada. What makes it unique is that, to my knowledge, there's never been a comprehensive history written about an individual Roman legion before, only relatively brief overviews. Here's a few lines in the opening pages [the Xth, led personally by Julius Caesar, is advancing on the forces of Pompey]:<br>
<br>
"The men of the 10th would have been anxious to make out the identity of the legion on the flank directly facing them, hoping it wouldn't be their brother Spaniards of the 8th. The 10th and the 8th had been through thick and thin together over the past 16 years. It would not be easy to fight and kill old friends. But they would do it. For Caesar."<br>
<br>
A bit pricey at $24.95, but so far, worth every penny!<br>
<br>
Mr. Dando-Collins, whose apparently spent some 30 years of his life researching specific Roman legions, claims to have unearthed enough information to write similar books on other legions (he mentions XIII GMV, III Aug, VI Vic, and XII Fulm. specifically). One can only hope more volumes are forthcoming.<br>
<br>
Best to all,<br>
Gil / Gaius Darius <p></p><i></i>
<br>
Just picked up <em>Caesar's Legion</em>, by Stephen Dando-Collins (John Wiley & Sons, Inc, NY, c/r 2002), and it's absolutely <em>spectacular!</em> Written in a similar genre to Michael Shaara's ACW epic The Killer Angels, it covers in detail the history of Legio X, from it's recruitment in Spain to just after they storm Masada. What makes it unique is that, to my knowledge, there's never been a comprehensive history written about an individual Roman legion before, only relatively brief overviews. Here's a few lines in the opening pages [the Xth, led personally by Julius Caesar, is advancing on the forces of Pompey]:<br>
<br>
"The men of the 10th would have been anxious to make out the identity of the legion on the flank directly facing them, hoping it wouldn't be their brother Spaniards of the 8th. The 10th and the 8th had been through thick and thin together over the past 16 years. It would not be easy to fight and kill old friends. But they would do it. For Caesar."<br>
<br>
A bit pricey at $24.95, but so far, worth every penny!<br>
<br>
Mr. Dando-Collins, whose apparently spent some 30 years of his life researching specific Roman legions, claims to have unearthed enough information to write similar books on other legions (he mentions XIII GMV, III Aug, VI Vic, and XII Fulm. specifically). One can only hope more volumes are forthcoming.<br>
<br>
Best to all,<br>
Gil / Gaius Darius <p></p><i></i>