Late Roman eastern field armies book

[nikgaukroger]

One for the real late Roman army aficionados.

There is a new book out about the organisation of the eastern field armies by Anthony Kaldellis and Marion Kruse - "The Field Armies of the East Roman Empire, 361–630". Expensive as it is a short book (it has previously been mentioned elsewhere on this forum).

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Field-Armies-Roman-Empire-361-630/dp/1009296949

Not got it yet myself but feel myself weakening.

They have also done a podcast in which they chat about writing it and the basis behind it which is rather interesting IMO. They also discuss revisionism in general.

https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/field-armies-of-the-east-roman-empire-361630/0B4DBB95C31B874F4891BB8B111DD80F#

Certainly reminded me why basing any theory on late Roman armies on the Notitia Dignitatum is a pretty risky proposition 

[Mark G]

Not an impulse purchase price though, unfortunately

[Richard Lockwood]

I fear I will have to buy this book. But may wait to see if the price falls.

[nikgaukroger]

I caved in and got it a while back.

[Imperial Dave]

 

It does look good mind

[nikgaukroger]

The book makes a good case that the field army structure for the eastern armies in the Notitia is probably better dated to the mid-C5th rather than the (now) traditional late C4th. It certainly fits the challenges facing the eastern empire better for the later date IMO.

[nikgaukroger]

I'm looking forward to seeing reviews by historians of the period to see how it is received and what issues with it are identified.

There is a review here already which was written very shortly after publication and is not really a critique but does make some useful points - https://deremilitari.org/2023/10/anthony-kaldellis-and-marion-kruse-the-field-armies-of-the-east-roman-empire-361-630-reviewer-evan-schultheis/

[CarlL]

Thank you Nik, for the link to the book review. It sounds as if the CUP editorial team failed to challenge this books weaknesses but that the book throws down a gauntlet to re-evaluate the history of the Eastern Roman forces in the 5th and 6th centuries (AD or is that now CE).
CarlL

[Imperial Dave]

How does that influence thinking on the western dating or doesn't it?

[nikgaukroger]

It doesn't, or at least the book does not cover it. Making no reference to the western portion could itself be a weakness of the book IMO and I was a bit surprised that the review I posted did not mention it.

[Imperial Dave]

I was wondering if it did or not