The logistics of the Roman army in North Africa

Chapter 1 introduces the dissertation. Basic pertinent historical information is provided as well as an explanation of source materials for this study.;Chapter 2 offers an analysis of current historical opinion on the concept of a grand strategy as the primary defensive mechanism for the armies of the Roman Empire. The examination includes a variety of opinion from modern scholars like Edward Luttwak, John Mann, A. R. Birley, and C. R. Whittaker, as well as the views of numerous classical writers to better clarify the mindset of Romans toward the concept of frontiers like those found in North Africa.;Chapters 3 and 4 work in tandem to provide a general description of the physical environmental in each North African province in which the Roman army actively operated. Chapter 3 offers a description of the terrain and environmental conditions of Mauretania Tingitana and Mauretania Caesariensis. Chapter 4 contributes the same information about Numidia and Africa Proconsularis. Each chapter also contains a gazette offering a brief description of select frontier forts.;Chapter 5 describes the structure of a Roman legion with emphasis on those officers and posts in the legio III Augusta which evidence suggests were important to the food and material provisioning of the legion.;Chapter 6 discusses the tripartite division of the auxilia in North Africa into cohortes equitatae, cohortes peditae, and alae; unit distribution in each province before A.D. 238; and conclusions drawn by some modern scholars pertaining to this deployment.;In chapter 7, evidence is presented to demonstrate the pattern of recruitment which provided the legio III Augusta with a continued supply of soldiers during the early principate.;Chapter 8 analyzes the material and logistical needs of the North African army including food supply and provision of arms. This study will, as far as evidence permits, offer the most likely scenario for how the challenges of provisioning a frontier army were met.;The epilogue in Chapter 9 briefly discusses the Roman army in North Africa after A.D. 238.;Chapter 10 concludes the dissertation.