Crawford gives us several good accounts of various campaigns, including excellent analyses of a number of battles and sieges; notably those of Strasbourg, Amida, and Bezobde [...] This is a good read for anyone interested in the late Empire.

The NYMAS Review, Spring 2020

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Roman Society

Constantine 1. Yes! He was one of the great Roman emperors, one of the “big 5”. And Julian “the Apostate”, well with a label like that, he has to have been the target of a few Wikipedia searches. But who knows about Constantius II, sandwiched between Constantine and Julian?

According to this book, we should know at least as much about Constantius II. He was Augustus of the entire Roman empire for 24 years, and Caesar of the Western half for 13 years before that. In common with Constantine his father, and most other rulers of the age, he was ruthless and bloody when it suited him, including killing members of his own family.

However, at a time when the Roman Empire was beset by multiple powerful enemies, he defended most expertly, the Rhine and the Danube frontiers against the “barbarians” and the Eastern borders against the Persians. He successfully fought several civil wars. His successes as a general, often with limited resources, caused his enemies to fear him. Yet, because he basically fought defensively and conquered no new territories for Rome, he was barely remembered.

This book is authoritatively written, very readable, with 8 very good maps, diagrams of major battles, lists of emperors and usurpers, and a very detailed section of footnotes and sources. The introduction and summary of the century leading up to Constantius II sets the scene thoroughly.

This book is another excellent read from Pen and Sword. Highly recommended.

Dr John Viggers, Freelance

Fills a great emptiness in biographies
of characters of the Late Roman Empire.

VaeVictis, January - February 2017