"This book describes how Rome conquered the world with citizen-soldiers. Like many expansionist states throughout history, Rome instilled something violent and vicious in its soldiers, making them more effective than their opponents. But unlike other civilizations, it did so with part-timers. The Romans perfected civic militarism in a way no other civilization has. It transformed average farmers into ambitious killers capable of conquering the Mediterranean"--...

A unique and splendidly researched story, following the trials and triumphs of Julius Caesar's Legio X-arguably the most famous legion of its day-from its activation to the slogging battle of Munda and from Thapsus, Caesar's tactical masterpiece, to the grim siege of the Jewish fortress of Masada. More than a mere unit account, it incorporates the history of Rome and the Roman army at the height of their power and gory glory. Many military historians...