Synopses & Reviews
A comprehensive and heavily illustrated guide to warfare in the ancient world.This essential guide to ancient warfare describes the fighting methods of soldiers in Europe and the Middle East in an age before gunpowder. From a detailed examination of the individual components of an ancient army and their equipment, to a fascinating exploration of ancient battle strategies, siege warfare, and naval battles, it explores the unique tactics required to win battles with the technology available. Using specially commissioned color and black-and-white artwork and 24 full-color tactical maps, this book shows in great detail the methods by which armies, including Assyrians and Roman forces, prevailed over their foes, and why other armies were less successful. This is a must-read for any reader interested in ancient warfare.
Simon Anglim is a researcher at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, and has published widely on military history through the ages.
Phyllis G. Jestice is Assistant Professor of Medieval History at the University of Southern Mississippi.
Rob S. Rice is a professor at the American Military University. He has published articles in the Oxford Companion to American Military History and six others and in The Reader's Guide to Military History.
Scott M. Rusch has a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. He has contributed two articles to a book on ancient and medieval warfare published by Salem Press.
John Serrati is a Lecturer at St. Leonard's College at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. He is the co-editor of Sicily from Aeneas to Augustus.
Fighting Techniques of the Ancient World describes the fighting techniques of soldiers in Europe and the Middle East in an age before gunpowder. The book explores the unique tactics required to win battles with the technology available, and points out how little has changed in some respects of the art of war.
Divided into five chapters, the book first examines the individual components of an ancient army, the infantryman, archer, and the mounted soldier, the equipment they wore and used, and how they fought together in units on the battlefield. Fighting Techniques of the Ancient World describes why certain types of unitlike the Greek phalanx and Roman legionwere more effective than others and how their tactics evolved over time, illustrated with references to key battles. The third chapter discusses how these units were used together on the battlefield, how commanders controlled their men in the heat of battle, and the importance of a general correctly disposing his troops before fighting began. This chapter also includes a discussion of naval commanders and their tactics. The fourth part of the book looks at the specialist techniques and equipment developed for siege warfare in the ancient world, with examples of classic battles like Julius Caesar's victory at Alesia and illustrations of catapults and other siege engines. Finally the last chapter covers naval warfare in the ancient world, from the ships in which the men fought to the weapons they carried and the major battles of the period.
Using specially commissioned color and black-and-white artworks to illustrate the battles, equipment, and tactics of the era, Fighting Techniques of the Ancient World shows in detail the methods by which armies, including Assyrian and Roman forces, prevailed over their foes, and why other armies were less successful. The book is a companion for any reader, student, or educator interested in warfare in the classical age. "The book lucidly organizes a huge amount of information that illuminates ancient warfare from many perspectives, from the grand strategy of generals to the minutiae of spear lengths and sword-fighting drills."Publishers Weekly
Synopsis
A comprehensive and heavily illustrated guide to warfare in the ancient world.This essential guide to ancient warfare describes the fighting methods of soldiers in Europe and the Middle East in an age before gunpowder. From a detailed examination of the individual components of an ancient army and their equipment, to a fascinating exploration of ancient battle strategies, siege warfare, and naval battles, it explores the unique tactics required to win battles with the technology available. Using specially commissioned color and black-and-white artwork and 24 full-color tactical maps, this book shows in great detail the methods by which armies, including Assyrians and Roman forces, prevailed over their foes, and why other armies were less successful. This is a must-read for any reader interested in ancient warfare.
Synopsis
Includes bibliographical references (p. 250) and index.
About the Author
Simon Anglim is a researcher at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, and has published widely on military history through the ages. Phyllis G. Jestice is Assistant Professor of Medieval History at the University of Southern Mississippi. Rob S. Rice is a professor at the American Military University. Scott M. Rusch has a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. John Serrat is a Lecturer at St. Leonard's College at the University of St. Andrews in the U.K.
Table of Contents
The role of infantry -- Mounted warfare -- Command and control -- Siege warfare -- Naval warfare.