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Military History Books
Roman Military Tombstones by Alastair Scott Anderson: NEW 1984 1st Edition Softcover Paperback (Copy) (Copy)
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Roman military tombstones are standing stone stelae (vertical slabs) that provide key historical insights into the lives, service, and identities of Imperial Roman soldiers.
Key Characteristics & Style
- Form & Structure: Typically tall, standing stone stelae that are taller than they are wide.
- Inscriptions: Detailed Latin text noting the soldier's name, unit, rank, origin, age at death (often rounded to the nearest 5 or 10), and length of service.
- Enlistment Data: Epigraphic studies show that about 50% of Roman soldiers enlisted between ages 17 and 20, and up to 80% enlisted between 17 and 24.
- Iconography: Relief carvings often depicted the deceased in uniform or action—such as auxiliary cavalrymen trampling a fallen enemy, or legionaries displaying insignia, weapons, and symbols of rank like a centurion's vine stick.
Famous Examples
- Longinus Sdapeze: Found in Colchester, dating to around AD 55; commemorates a cavalry officer of the First Cavalry Regiment of Thracians who invaded Britain in AD 43.
- Sextus Valerius Genialis: Displayed at the Corinium Museum in Cirencester, showing a 1st-century AD auxiliary cavalryman.
- London Museum Tombstone: An inscribed limestone relief from London (AD 40–140) depicting a non-commissioned officer with writing tablets and scroll, indicating administrative or clerical work for the provincial governor.
This book is OLD NEW STOCK; an book which, for whatever reasons, has not been offered for sale from the date of publication to the date of this listing. It is NEW but old stock and is in New condition. Any deviation from the new condition will be detailed separately.
