Roman Special Forces and Special Ops

€ 29,90

Roman Special Forces and Special Ops
Speculatores, Exploratores, Protectores and Areani in the Service of Rome
176 pages, pictures /b/w, colour), maps,references, literature, index, hardbound

Simon Elliott reveals the kinds of special operations conducted by the Romans: tactical scouting ahead of the legions, covert strategic reconnaissance in neighbouring states, espionage, assassination or abduction of dissidents and enemies, counter-insurgency, and close protection of Roman officials and commanders.

While such missions were frequently executed by ad-hoc units or individuals detailed for that specific mission, the author goes on to reveal the evidence for the aforementioned specialist units.

He concludes with an analysis of the extent to which these various forces corresponded to a modern conception of Special Forces.

These men were the eyes and ears of the Empire, the deadly tip of the Roman sword.

„The book by Roman history expert Simon Elliott is a seminal, ground-breaking, impressively detailed, well documented, and truly exceptional work of meticulous and original scholarship that is enhanced for the reader’s benefit with the inclusion of an informative Introduction and Conclusion, and Appendix (Enemies of the Roman Republic and Empire), a section of photographic images, a ten page Reference and Bibliography list, and a three page Index.

Of immense interest and value to academia and the non-specialist reader alike, „Roman Special Forces and Special Ops“ is a unique and unreservedly recommended pick for community, college, and university library Roman Military History collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.“

Dr Simon Elliott is an award winning and best selling archaeologist, historian and broadcaster with a PhD in Classics and Archaeology from the University of Kent where he is now an Honorary Research Fellow. He has an MA in Archaeology from UCL and an MA in War Studies from KCL. Simon is widely published with numerous works in print on various themes relating to the ancient world, with a particular focus on the Roman military, and he makes frequent appearances on TV as a Roman expert. Simon lectures widely to universities, local history societies and archaeological groups, is co-Director of a Roman villa excavation, a Trustee of the Council for British Archaeology and an Ambassador for Museum of London Archaeology. He is also a Guide Lecturer for Andante Travels and President of the Society of Ancients.