Nicholas Secunda's Early Roman Armies

Reviewed by Paul Rice

The Early Romans, by Nicholas Secunda and Simon Northwood, illustrations by Richard Hook (Osprey Men at Arms Series #283, July 1995). Softcover, 48 pages.

This Osprey title covers Roman armies from the founding of Rome, 753 BCE, through the Pyrhhic invasion, 275. Indeed, the first plate is of Romulus and Remus it doesnšt get any earlier than that!

The first section is the history of the early conquests within Latium from the expulsion of the last Etruscan King, Tarquinius Superbus, in 509, through the Samnite Wars, 290 BCE. They use Peter Connollyšs excellent Greece and Rome at War as a major source, and list the cities conquered, including the sub-tribes, the Sabine, Aequi, and Volsci. Kudos for having maps of the areas. This early history includes discussions on the Salii priests.

The authors essentially divide the book into three major sections: pre-hoplite, hoplite, maniples. Sections are:

Romešs Early History
The Pre-Hoplite Army
The Hoplite Army
Early Cavalry
The Expansion of Roman Military Strength
Manipular Warfare

Rome learned of the phalanx from the Etruscans, and converted to it under Servius Tullius, ca. 550. The book shows the gradual organizational changes within the phalanx, emphasizing the recruiting aspect. The authors credit battling the Samnites -- and not the Gauls -- for the change from phalanx to maniples. They conclude it was a gradual transition in the 4th century. The text covers the Samnite army in detail, devoting about 4 pages. Oddly, the plate chosen for the cover of The Early Romans is one showing Samnites, who didnšt get incorporated into the Roman sphere until after the close of this book.

There is little to no information on battles. It is largely an archaeology book, as the authors search for any record of how the ancient Roman armies were recruited, organized, and equipped. They state their assumptions, and their conclusions are sound and not surprising. This is not one of Ospreyšs better books, but then this is a difficult subject on which to find any material.

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