Historians and laypeople alike marvel at Roman abilities and accomplishments, and try to identify the key to Rome’s many successes. This is certainly the case in the field of warfare. Endless Manpower traces Rome’s eastward expansion not to retell the story of its military conquests and imperial growth, but to examine how Roman armies overcame three different military systems—traditional heavy infantries in its Mediterranean wars, swift cavalry armies in the Parthian Wars, and guerrilla armies in the Jewish Wars.
This study identifies Rome’s advantage in manpower reserves as the key to Rome’s success in the face of such vastly different military challenges. Its immense advantage in manpower reserves allowed it either to overwhelm its enemies on the battlefield or to outlast them in long wars of attrition. The key to Rome’s success was not tactical, strategic, logistical, or technological. Rather, the key in its imperial wars was the same as it was in its Italian wars—superior numbers.
About the Author:
Guy Chet (guychet.com) is Professor of History at the University of North Carolina. Raised in Ness Ziona, Israel, he earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Haifa, and his MA and PhD at Yale University. He has published five books and multiple articles.
