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'Military Dress and Court Regalia in the Later Romano-Byzantine Empire' is the sub-title of this richly illustrated book. Drawing on literary and artistic sources, archaeology and reconstructions, this is the most detailed study of its kind to date accompanied by 60 black and white images and 24 specially commissioned colour plates by Graham Sumner. Dawson examines the range and style of clothing worn in the Roman Empire from the 6th century to the end of the Empire in 1453. The regalia embrace not only garments of distinctive form and decoration, but also both dress and non-dress accessories. Among the 24 full colour full page plates we can view up close judicial officers, soldiers on parade in the 10th century, a courtier and servant, ladies of the court circa 650-900, robing an emperor and an empress in the 6th century. Garments were crucial in displaying rank and function on an everyday basis and varied considerably for special occasions. Military dress largely reflected form current amongst ordinary men with an emphasis on functionality. In the colour image of the Empress we see the decoration of sementa on the shoulders and knees, and klavoi projecting up from the hem in accord with venerable Roman custom, although more typical of male dress. The sleeves are of the Persian form, and she holds a crown or diadema. The dress is pale blue, the decoration in rich gold with red and green embroidery. With full coverage of turbans, footwear, overgarments, headgear and regalia tunics called kamision and khiton. A Pen & Sword glamorous 170 large page volume.