Roman Military Service: Ideologies of Discipline in the Late Republic and Early Principate [Hardcover]

In this book, Sara Phang explores the ideals and realities of Roman military discipline.In this book, Sara Phang explores the ideals and realities of Roman military discipline, using both literary and documentary sources. Contrary to the impression that Roman emperors bought their soldiers and indulged them, discipline restrained such behavior and legitimized and stabilized the imperial power, while earning such leaders prestige.In this book, Sara Phang explores the ideals and realities of Roman military discipline, using both literary and documentary sources. Contrary to the impression that Roman emperors bought their soldiers and indulged them, discipline restrained such behavior and legitimized and stabilized the imperial power, while earning such leaders prestige.In this book, Sara Phang explores the ideals and realities of Roman military discipline, which regulated the behavior 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 behavior 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. ...Roman Military Service is an innovative and often vl#