Some of the most famous stories in the Bible revolve around coins. From the widow s mite to Judas s thirty pieces of silver, the original narratives and their later translations have used local coins to make the Gospels relate to audiences over the ages. In turn, early Biblical writings have directly inspired the earliest artistic expression of Christian faith on coin designs.
Everyday life in the Roman army is vividly depicted through rare objects and personal testimonies, revealing the experiences of soldiers, women, and enslaved individuals. Letters from young Egyptian soldiers, a tombstone of a child, and artifacts from Herculaneum provide insights into their lives. The narrative spans the army's heyday, exploring social dynamics, the promise of citizenship, and the harsh realities of military life, including battle tactics and the fate of convicted soldiers. This comprehensive account captures both the extraordinary and mundane aspects of their existence across diverse regions.
Follow the life of an ordinary Roman soldier--from enlistment to the battlefield--in this intimate look at everyday life in the Roman army. The scale and organization of the Roman army was unprecedented in the ancient Western world, leading to it becoming the West's first permanent, pensionable military profession. Through the advent of the "career soldier," the Roman army created an avenue for noncitizens to gain enfranchisement, build wealth, and advance their social standing upon the conclusion of their designated term of service. This story focuses on the soldiers, their families, and the many other people who belonged to the military communities scattered throughout the empire to illuminate what life was like for these individuals. Through scholarship and the letters left behind from common soldiers--such as two ordinary provincial recruits, Claudius Terentianus and Apion--we're afforded a deeply personal and micro-level view of military life. This volume dispels preconceived notions about the Roman army--for example, that forts were exclusively the domain of male soldiers--while addressing the violence committed by soldiers toward women, conquered subjects, and enslaved peoples. Furthermore, alongside the vivid picture of army life, this book examines the social evolution of the army and how it gradually transformed the state it was established to protect.