Excellent artwork by Seán Ó Brógáin enlivens author Ross Cowan's informative narrative in Roman Guardsman 62 BC-AD 324. Cowan chronicles how the fighting abilities of praetorians, speculatores, singulares and protectores serving as shock troops or bodyguards influenced the course of Roman history. The author outlines the nature of these troops and how they changed. Also examined are their organization, varied appearance, weapons and equipment. In addition, Cowan concisely covers guardsmen's operational successes and failures, from their beginnings in the Late Republic to their climactic losing battle against Constantine the Great.

Toy Soldier and Model Figure magazine

... a very interesting read about a subject that often fires the imagination but about which few really know.

Scott Van Aken, www.modelingmadness.com