Ross Cowan is a British historian and author specialising in Roman military history.

Cowan studied at the University of Glasgow, completing an MA in classical civilisation in 1997 and a PhD in history in 2003.^[1] His doctoral thesis was on the Praetorian Guard and Legio II Parthica, entitled Aspects of the Severan Field Army AD 193–238.^[2]

Since earning his PhD Cowan has been an independent scholar, writing books on Roman military history for Osprey Publishing, Greenhill Books, Pen & Sword Books and Frontline Books. He is a contributor to Ad Familiares (Journal of the Friends of Classics), Ancient Egypt, Ancient History, Ancient Warfare, Archäologisches Korrespondenzblatt, BMCR, Classics Ireland, Historia, Medieval Warfare, Military History Monthly and Military Illustrated.^[3]

Cowan's research focuses on courage, heroism, glory and warrior culture in the Roman military.^[4] Cowan has noted his appreciation of heroic fantasy author David Gemmell.^[5] Cowan dedicated his 2007 work, For the Glory of Rome, to the memory of Gemmell.^[6]

Books

• For the Glory of Rome: A History of Warriors and Warfare
• Roman Conquests: Italy
• Roman Battle Tactics 109 BC–AD 313
• Roman Legionary 109-58 BC: The Age of Marius, Sulla and Pompey the Great
• Roman Legionary 58 BC–AD 69
• Roman Legionary AD 69-161
• Imperial Roman Legionary AD 161-284
• Roman Legionary AD 284-337: The Age of Diocletian and Constantine the Great
• Milvian Bridge AD 312: Constantine's Battle for Empire and Faith
• Roman Guardsman 62 BC–AD 324

Select Articles

Hoplites

• But Two Swords Never: A Hoplite Armed With a Kopis and a Xiphos?

Arms & armour and military organisation in pre-Roman Italy:

• The Art of the Etruscan Armourer
• An Important Italic Helmet Rediscovered
• The Samnite Pilum
• Gladius Gallicus
• Etruscan and Gallic Pila
• Tales of the Axe
• Weapons of the Early Legions
• Warlords and Warbands. Revised version here.

Battle Tactics

• Later Roman Battle Tactics
• Changing Formations and Specialists: Aspects of Later Roman Battle Tactics

Centurions

• Centurion
• Before Baculus: Some Sullan Centurions
• Lifeless He Fell: The Centurion in the Third and Fourth Centuries AD

Praetorian Guard

• Roman Adventurers
• Grim Guardians: Emperor Claudius and His Praetorians

Roman Britain and the Ninth Legion

• History as it Ought to Have Been
• The Defeat of Victory: Tacitus on Boudicca's Last Battle

Roman Warriors

• Catiline's Eagle: Patrician Ambition in Late Republican Rome
• Wounds to the Front
• Champions and Tradition: Single Combat in the Age of Belisarius
• Roman Warriors: The Myth of the Military Machine
• Head-Hunting Roman Cavalry

War Cries and Weapons Clashing

• The Clashing of Weapons and Silent Advances in Roman Battles

Later Roman Army

• Dreams and Visions in the Roman Military
• Old Weapons For New Soldiers
• Exploratores: Scouting for the Soldier Emperor

Charioteers

• Despised and Idolized: The Lives of Roman Charioteers

Scottish Warfare

• Late Medieval Scottish Swords: Strength and Balance From the North
• More Like Lions Than Men