This is an appealing little addition to your history library, but if you’re searching for something appropriate for the younger historian, I’d recommend this volume for its gorgeous, colorful, lavishly-detailed drawings with content divided into easily-digested, self-contained bites. The drawing to text ratio is just about ideal for young readers who, like my grandson, are very taken with the glory that was Rome. It may not be perfect in every single way, some facts are perhaps of questionable veracity, but overall it’s quite serviceable and provides as an informative gateway introduction to the topic. I must confess a reasonable familiarity with the major players, but this volume goes far beyond those into many lesser-known figures and even obscure, minor. supporting cast members In both the Empire and its far-flung and numerous enemies. I’m learning about some of those characters right along with my grandson—and that’s worth quite a lot to me. Read more
This is the book you need if visual representations of military units in the Roman world are what you are looking for. I have bought nearly all of the Men-at-Arms Series books and I always find this Encyclopedia (which I'll refer to as IEURW) in my hands when a quick reference is needed. Don't get me wrong, the MAA Series books are great and have far more literary details than the IEURW if that's even possible for such a large book. The IEURW is so scarce on details that I often have to use the MAA and other books I have to get more info on the pictures I am looking at. Things like; how often did the men wear this type of armor, at what point did this helmet stop being worn, which tribes used this type of shield, etc. are only mentioned generally and in broad terms in the IEURW forcing me to look at other references. Don't look for details on specific tribes or cultures in the IEURW either. There are a few highlighted ones in there but for the most part, Celts are all lumped together, Germanics all one bunch, Celt/Iberians yup... Don't get me started on the eastern cultures. Even with the literary short-comings of this book, really it is the pictures that are the reason people seek out this book. You cannot beat the number of images it has of the various armor, weapons, helmets, shields, etc. I'd say this book is the exact opposite of the MAA books. In the MAA's, there are the usual 8 or so plates and that is the extent of the visual aids you get to go along with the history lesson. The IEURW is the opposite, far more images than historical text. It is the perfect supplement to look up a type of armor or weapon that you might have read in another book or use as a visual to paint that mini figure for your table-top game. My 5 yr old likes to look at the colorful pictures inside and I could definately see one who only likes to read books with lots of pictures would have a ball with this one. I have seen people trying to sell their copies of this book for over $100 but don't fall for it. For some reason, maybe because it is highly sought after, they don't publish near enough copies of this book to keep up with demand. Just be patient and wait for the regular $23 price which is what I got it for on Amazon in December of 2013. Anything over $30 you've paid too much! Read more
I’m always on the lookout for resources that will help me write historically accurate fiction set during the reigns of Trajan and Hadrian. This book is a visual feast for anyone writing about the Roman era or for any Romanophile who simply enjoys a gorgeous book. The illustrations cover the uniforms, weapons, artillery, siege engines, horse trappings, ships, and fortifications of the Romans and their enemies and allies: Etruscans, Samnites, Carthaginians, Macedonians, Gauls, Germans, British Celts, Jews, Parthians, Sarmatians, Goths, Vandals , and many others. The only pictorial omission I noticed was a detailed visual of the Dacians, who were a brief entry under the Germanic enemy. The differences between Republic, Early Empire, Late Empire, and Byzantine Empire are well represented. The text is well written and highly informative. It includes concise historical summaries and timelines that include military events that are often omitted. Clothing, weapons, and fighting characteristics are clearly presented for most people groups. The glossary is a boon to writers looking for exactly the right term. I can enthusiastically give this book 5 stars. Read more
