climate the Roman army had to cope with

[Cornelius A]

Do you know any references (sources/studies) to the severity of winter or the heat of summer or seasonal hardship the Roman army had to cope with?

[Longovicium]

You might want to read Ammianus where he describes the march to battle at Adrianople by the praesental army under the Augustus Valens. The heat of August is referenced as contributing to the discomfort of the Roman soldiers. They had to march a fair distance without their baggage and water in this hot summer heat. Ammianus explicitly states that this was one of the causes which contributed to the Roman defeat.

[Cornelius A]

Thank you! Do you have the exact reference?

[Renatus]

Thank you! Do you have the exact reference?

The battle of Adrianople, including the march to the battlefield, the battle itself and its aftermath, is described in Amm. XXXI. 12. 10 - 13.19.

As to winter conditions, the Roman army did not normally campaign in winter but you might like to consider Tacitus' description of Corbulo toughening up the army of Syria by keeping it under canvas throughout the winter of AD58 (Ann. XIII. 35).

[Macedon]

You only want examples that involve Romans?

Some you might go through would be :

Herodianus, Ab excessu divi Marci, B.6, ch.6, s.3
Appianus, Iberica, s.336
Appianus, Iberica, s.197
Plutarchus, Marius, ch.23, s.3

Strabo, Geographica, B.17, ch.3, s.20
Plutarchus, Antonius, ch.47, s.2
Plutarchus, Pompeius, ch.35, s.2

[Cornelius A]

Much appreciated!
Out of curiosity: How did you track these references?

[Macedon]

Just one of about 300 chapters and subchapters in the book/study I am working on. Regarding marching in heat/arid lands/deserts/cold/snow I have 58 quotes (out of a total of more than 13,000 catalogued at the moment) I have more about other difficulties during march.

[Lothia]

The topic sounds fascinating. Let me know how the book is progressing.
Tom

[Macedon]

thx, I will. My study encompasses all aspects of land warfare (apart from sieges). Actions outside pitched battle, like the challenges of marching are of course a sizable part of it.