Ross Cowan is a British historian and author specialising in Roman military history.
Education and career
Cowan studied at the University of Glasgow, completing an MA in classical civilisation in 1997 and a PhD in history in 2003. His doctoral thesis was on the Praetorian Guard and Legio II Parthica, entitled Aspects of the Severan Field Army AD 193–238.
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.
Cowan's research focuses on courage, heroism, glory and warrior culture in the Roman military. Cowan has noted his appreciation of heroic fantasy author David Gemmell. Cowan dedicated his 2007 work, For the Glory of Rome, to the memory of Gemmell.
Publications
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
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
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
References
External links
Academia.edu
https://rosscowan.substack.com/
https://about.me/rosscowan
Living people
Year of birth missing (living people) British historians Alumni of the University of Glasgow