Riding for Caesar: The Roman Emperor's Horseguard - Softcover

[Speidel] returns to his favorite subject with a systematic and comprehensive analysis of the topic...These troops were the actual protectors of the person of the Emperor, wherever he went, even closer than the Praetorian guard. Since proximity to the Emperor is an index of influence, these troops, though small in number and often of barbarian and provincial origin, had a tremendous influence. Their loyalty was far more impressive than even the Praetorian Guard, and promotion of individual horse guards usually led to influential centurionates in the regular legions. Inscriptions and funeral monuments are the principle sources, outside of the scattered literary texts and ancient military manuals; these are comprehensively handled in masterly fashion by Speidel...Highly recommended. Speidel returns to his favorite subject with a systematic and comprehensive analysis of the topic...These troops were the actual protectors of the person of the Emperor, wherever he went, even closer than the Praetorian guard. Since proximity to the Emperor is an index of influence, these troops, though small in number and often of barbarian and provincial origin, had a tremendous influence. Their loyalty was far more impressive than even the Praetorian Guard, and promotion of individual horse guards usually led to influential centurionates in the regular legions. Inscriptions and funeral monuments are the principle sources, outside of the scattered literary texts and ancient military manuals; these are comprehensively handled in masterly fashion by Speidel...Highly recommended. ancient military manuals; these are comprehensively handled in masterly fashion by Speidel...Highly recommended. Constantine...This authoritative and colorful history of the guard is crafted with meticulous scholarship, clearly written, and readily accessible to the non-specialist. Speidel's exhaustive knowledge of the Roman army emerges on every page...Well researched, rich in new ideas, and attractively produced. -- Everett L. Wheeler "American Historical Review" Only Michael Speidel could have written so thorough and expert an account of the horse guard's place in Roman military and political affairs from its inception under Julius Caesar until it was cashiered by Constantine...This authoritative and colorful history of the guard is crafted with meticulous scholarship, clearly written, and readily accessible to the non-specialist. -- David Cherry "Military History"

Professor Speidel's book represents the first history of the Roman horse guard ever written and provides a readable account of the intricate part these men played in the fate of the Roman empire and its emperors.