This is the interesting Biography of a cany Military man but an even more impressive politician who stabilized the Empire after the Year of the Five Emperors and founded a Dynasty that would span forty years.

NetGalley, CASPER HILEMAN

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Roman history is a mystery to me. I actually felt I understood the hows and whys of change in the Roman Republic after reading this book. The Roman Army is needed to back up a Caesar and during times of stress or family quarrels that army can decide who rules Rome and who doesnt . Also the senate is discussed and the realities of their importance and influence on Rome are given, The period of time Mr Sage has written about was not a period I thought was important until reading this book! The whole future of the Roman Empire is affected by the decisions of the leaders and this book tells the tale of brilliant leadership and greed.

NetGalley, Patrick Carmen

An interesting read. I like history and when I saw this title, I was very intrigued. Upon reading it, it held my interest and kept me reading until I finished it in one sitting.

NetGalley, Norma Carroll

“Sage performs a masterful job putting Severus into a broad strategic overview of the times.”

The Historical Miniatures Gaming Society

Sage provides a well-written and confident potted biography of Severus, in which he picks his way through the various arguments that are closely tied to the sources and their interpretation of events.

Beating Tsundoku

Review by Dr Simon Elliott

Overall, Michael Sage's new work on Septimius Severus and the Roman military is highly recommended to fans of the Roman Empire, and of the Roman Military, old and new alike. It is easily accessible and well written, and it features research of the highest quality.

Ancient Warfare, Vol XIV, Issue 3

Overall this is a good overview of the life and reign of Septimius Severus, portraying him as a successful ruler during his own lifetime, but one whose legacy may have included over-extending the Empire in the east, exposing his successors to a series of clashes with the Persians, and leaving the Empire to his clearly unsuitable sons.

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History of War

I enjoyed this book. I predict that serious military historians and classicists will welcome Septimius Severus and The Roman Army. It will find a place in many academic libraries. But will the general reader enjoy it? Yes, if he or she is an avid student of ancient Rome. It is packed with detail and refers to many original sources, both famous and obscure. It has exemplary Notes, Bibliography and Index.

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Army Rumour Service (ARRSE)

This is a good read that carefully brings together the strategic overview into which the author inserts the critical events that conditioned the actions of Severus. Throughout is the necessary connection between Emperor and his Army and the need to keep the army focused through pay and other benefits. The writing style is clear concise and easy to read.

Michael McCarthy. Battlefield Guide

Michael McCarthy