Soldier and Society in Roman Egypt: A Social History

The province of Egypt provides unique archaeological and documentary evidence for the study of the Roman army. In this fascinating social history Richard Alston examines the economic, cultural, social and legal aspects of a military career, illuminating the life and role of the individual soldier in the army.
Soldier and Society in Roman Eygpt provides a complete reassessment of the impact of the Roman army on local societies, and convincingly challenges the orthodox picture. The soldiers are seen not as an isolated elite living in fear of the local populations, but as relatively well-integrated into local communities. The unsuspected scale of the army's involvement in these communities offers a new insight into both Roman rule in Egypt and Roman imperialism more generally.

Review: 'A new insight into both Roman rule in Egypt and into Roman imperialism.' - Oxbow Book News

'A very important book ... it can occupy its deserved place among those books which have significantly contributed to our understanding of Roman Egypt and the Roman army.' - Discussiona in Egyptology

'A rare insight into the life of a Roman soldier the book is most informative, provocative and stimulating.' - Bibliotheca Orientalis