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Legionary Fortresses can be found all across the Roman Empire. Each one was built as the permanent winter quarters of at least one full legion, making them very sizable constructions. This work provides a detailed gazetteer of these fortresses, covering the entire Roman Empire. The main focus is on the large fortresses of the Principate (the early Empire), with a smaller selection for the Dominate (the later Empire, where the forts were all rather smaller). The focus is entirely on the full sized legionary fortress, so you won't find any of the forts on Hadrian's Wall, all of which were built for smaller units - parts of legions or auxiliary troops.
This is a rather specialised work. There is a forty page introduction that discusses the development, layout and history of the Legionary Fortress, but if you want a general history of Roman fortifications then look elsewhere. If on the other hand you need a gazetteer of Roman Legionary Fortresses, the sources relating to them and the legions that were based in them then this is the book for you. The gazetteer section includes details on location, layout, plans were possible and a list of documentary sources of varying types - contemporary literary sources, units whose presence at the fort is indicated by carvings and other markings, sub-literary references (such as surviving letters or accounts) and modern references.
This is a high quality reference work that will be a very valuable resource for students of the Roman army or of Roman military architecture.
Chapters
1 - Introduction
2 - The Legions
3 - History and Development of Legionary Bases
4 - Defences
5 - The Internal Buildings
6 - Infrastructure
7 - Extramural Buildings
8 - Construction and Demolition
9 - Gazetteers
Appendix 1: Timeline of Legionary Movements
Appendix 2: Glossary
Appendix 3: Late Fortresses in the Nottia Dignitatum
Appendix 4: Sites Excluded
Appendix 5: The Website
Author: M.C. Bishop
Edition: Hardcover
Pages: 209
Publisher: Pen & Sword Military
Year: 2012