In this book, Dr. Jeremy Armstrong tracks the development of Rome's military power from its earliest beginnings to the First Punic War. He analyzes how its military forces evolved from improvised groups of warriors organized by branch for the city's survival, to the sophisticated organization of the legions that dominated all of Italy and later the entire Mediterranean world. The author examines both the literary sources and the latest archaeological findings to offer a new analysis of the organization, equipment, tactics, and strategy of the Romans. He shows how Rome's military structures adapted to changing strategic needs and ambitions. This study of the origins of the classical world's most formidable war machine will interest anyone with an interest in classical and particularly Roman military history.