Amazon.com description: Product Description: The sword is not only in ancient Rome a product of a highly developed technology, but is it primarily seen as a metaphor for imperial power. Starting with the rise of rome, to the uprising of the peoples in north and east of the empire, which finally forced the roman empire to its knees, this book traces the history of roman weaponry. Simon James offers an new exciting perspective on roman history, by taking the perspective of the legionnaire. In a unique combination of military and social history he shows that rome's rule was based on the cruelty of his soldiers and their excellent armament.