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Antonio Santosuosso
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Storming The Heavens: Soldiers, Emperors, And Civilians In The Roman Empire (History and Warfare) 1st Edition

by Antonio Santosuosso (Author)
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 8 ratings
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In the closing years of the second century B.C., the ancient world watched as the Roman armies maintained clear superiority over all they surveyed. But, social turmoil prevailed at the heart of her territories, led by an increasing number of dispossessed farmers, too little manpower for the army, and an inevitable conflict with the allies who had fought side by side with the Romans to establish Roman dominion. Storming the Heavens looks at this dramatic history from a variety of angles. What changed most radically, Santosuosso argues, was the behavior of soldiers in the Roman armies. The troops became the enemies within, their pillage and slaughter of fellow citizens indiscriminate, their loyalty not to the Republic but to their leaders, as long as they were ample providers of booty. By opening the military ranks to all, the new army abandoned its role as depository of the values of the upper classes and the propertied. Instead, it became an institution of the poor and drain on the power of the Empire. Santosuosso also investigates other topics, such as the monopoly of military power in the hands of a few, the connection between the armed forces and the cherished values of the state, the manipulation of the lower classes so that they would accept the view of life, control, and power dictated by the oligarchy, and the subjugation and dehumanization of subject peoples, whether they be Gauls, Britons, Germans, Africans, or even the Romans themselves.
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  1. ISBN-10
    0813341604
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0813341606
  3. Edition
    1st
  4. Publication date
    August 1, 2003
  5. Part of series
    History and Warfare
  6. Language
    English
  7. Dimensions
    6 x 0.64 x 9 inches
  8. Print length
    278 pages
  9. See all details
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About the Author

Santosuosso, Antonio

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Westview Press; 1st edition (August 1, 2003)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 278 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0813341604
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0813341606
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.15 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.64 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 8 ratings

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Antonio Santosuosso

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Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 out of 5
8 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

lyndonbrecht
4.0 out of 5 stars An indictment of the Roman army.
Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2015
I seem to discover books well after they are published. I have long been interested in the Romans, and this is an interesting take on the role of the Roman armies. It is not a military history, but what I would describe as a combination of sociology and military history applied to this ancient context. It's a history of how the army went from the embodiment of Roman virtue to controlling the state. It chronicles what the author sees as the decay of the army in the sense it increasingly existed to maintain its own status, corrupting the Empire's institutions and creating a state based on force and raw exploitation. Essentially, Santosuosso sees the army as destroying the potential of the Empire.

I found this to be a thought-provoking read. This book is not so easy to describe, so browse it thoroughly before reading it through. It got this reader, at least, wondering if the Romans could have done better and lasted longer. Suppose Rome could have lasted until the 800s, how would that have changed history?
2 people found this helpful
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Paul R. Thomas
4.0 out of 5 stars Good History and Great Storytelling
Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2003
This is a good book to read for a perspective on Roman history that emphasises the role played in that grand drama by Rome's legions. The author discusses the changing political, social and economic effects of how the legions were recruited, commanded and paid, as well as providing significant detail on the structure, command and performance of the legions over time. The effects of the military reforms of Marius, Julius Caesar, Octavian, as well as Septimius Severus and Diocletian are given special attention as are their different offensive and defensive strategies.
The author weaves historical information and his own insights into a well written story that moves along easily over the long time period covered. His discussion of specific battles (e.g. Adrianopole) and brief character studies (e.g. Marius) add personal detail and improve the general story. The book is both educational and entertaining and strongly recommended.
20 people found this helpful
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Cain
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book
Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2023
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Enjoy reading
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Antonio22
5.0 out of 5 stars interesting and a joy to read!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 5, 2015
Verified Purchase
Excellent insight into how the Roman Empire functioned not only militarily but politically and economically. It is written in a way that makes it easy to understand and appreciate the complexity of Ancient Rome. It is one of my favourite books on Rome,well worth a read.
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