Roman Army Sustainment Operations

[arklore70]

This thought crossed my mind the other day when I was at Castra Roma.

Is there any type of written works or information available on Roman Army Sustainment operations?

For example, after a battle or even on the march, how did the Romans sustain their combat power or regenerate it.

Armor would have to be repaired, buckles re attached, swords sharpened, pila straightened out, etc...

I know there is some written already about battlefield medicine and rations, but what about metal work, wood work, and leather work.

Is this an area of study that one could explore and delve into further? Can anyone be of help to point me in the right direction?

v/r
Mike

[Praefectusclassis]

Good question! I fear that the source material might be quite limited though. Most ancient authors are interested in who won the battle and how many enemies were killed, not in such comparatively mundane things.

[Caballo]

Didn't Mike Bishop give a lecture in Carlisle recently commenting on this called "Ubendum, wemendum"?

Cheers

Britannicus