| Abstract: |
The work was composed, ostensibly as advice to the Emperor, by one known as 'the Anonymus', who wrote, on A Cameron's assessment, c 368/9. The document appears to discuss many aspects of Imperial warfare as practised at that time. J J G Alexander (11-15) compares the illustrations of DRB and the Notitia (the two documents were put together in ?9th century). M E Henig (17-38) discussing late antique book illustration believes the Gallic Prefecture could have provided the Notitia illustrations, and those for Vergilius Romanus might have been produced in Britain. K D White (39-45) finds the Late Roman harvesting machines too localized to have inspired the Anonymus's tichodifrus. The DRB references to coins and coinage are explored by R M Reece (59-66). For J S Johnson (67-75) nothing in the DRB descriptions is surprising in the context of frontier policy before 367. M W C Hassall's re-examination (77-99) of the Anonymus's 'inventions' concludes that even the most bizarre were practicable, the scythed chariots as well as the ballistae, ox-driven paddleboat, tichodifrus ('wallchariot'), and inflatable bridge. Some comments on plumbatae are offered by P A Barker (97-9) and D H Sherlock (101-2), while J P Wild (105-10) discusses the thorocomachus (undershirt) and other clothing improvements of the DRB. Sources mentioning siege machines, collected by D H Hill (111-17), show a more advanced post-Roman technology than is usually allowed for. Considering the later influence of the Anonymus, H M W Hodges (119-26) concludes that though he was required reading in Renaissance times, it was for historic interest only, not application. The second part of the volume has text, translation, commentary, and reproductions of the MS illustrations of DRB. |
