Roman Military Service
Ideologies of Discipline in the Late Republic and Early Principate

In this book, Sara Phang explores the ideals and realities of Roman military discipline.

Sara Elise Phang (Author)

9780521882699, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 14 January 2008

334 pages
23.5 x 15.5 x 2.5 cm, 0.6 kg

'… a welcome contribution to our understanding of the important subject of discipline in the Roman army.' Arctos

In this book, Sara Phang explores the ideals and realities of Roman military discipline, which regulated the behaviour of soldiers in combat and their punishment, as well as economic aspects of their service, including compensation and other benefits, work and consumption. This thematically-organized study analyzes these aspects of discipline, using both literary and documentary sources. Phang emphasizes social and cultural conflicts in the Roman army. Contrary to the impression that Roman emperors 'bought' their soldiers and indulged them, discipline restrained such behaviour and legitimized and stabilized the imperial power. Phang argues that emperors and aristocratic commanders gained prestige from imposing discipline, while displaying leadership in person and a willingness to compromise with a restive soldiery.

1. Theorizing discipline: social conflict, legitimation, and power
2. Combat training and discipline
3. Viri militares: habitus and discipline
4. Disciplina and punishment
5. Disciplining wealth: the ideologies of stipendia and donativa
6. Labor militaris: work as discipline
7. Feasts of mass destruction: disciplina and austerity.

Subject Areas: Military history [HBW], Classical history / classical civilisation [HBLA1], Ancient history: to c 500 CE [HBLA]