What was it like to march with Julius Caesar in Gaul or fight the Goths in the Balkans? This series shows what life was and is like for soldiers. The weapons and technology change, culture changes, but human physical and psychological needs and fears do not. This lively and comprehensive series reveals what kinds of societies produced these soldiers and the ways in which the soldiers, in turn, shaped their societies. This volume provides glimpses into the day-to-day lives of soldiers of the period from the age of the Sumerians in ancient Mesopotamia to the fall of Rome, and addresses the significant political and historic issues of the times. Chapters examine the basics of military life, including recruitment, training, desertion, relations between officers and soldiers, attitudes of the civilian population to the soldiers, food, clothing, health and well-being, injuries and death, strategies and tactics in conflicts, equipment and weapons, discipline and punishment, life after the army, and other issues. The volume also includes the following resources for readers: illustrations and maps; timelines; recommended books, articles, primary documents, correspondence, and Web sites; and comprehensive indexes.