I am currently reading "The Greek Kingdom of Bactria" by H. Sidky which so far I am finding to be an excellent source.
It delves into the sucession wars pretty well but obviously that is not the books primary focus. Can anyone suggest a book that focuses more on wars?
Or are we so short on material that what I am reading here is about the extent of our knowledge of the topic?
Tarn's "The Greeks In Bactria & India" deals with the political history of the region fairly well, but the scholarship has begun to show its age. The newest edition, however, contains a greatly expanded and updated bibliography by Frank Holt and M.C.J Miller that may be of some use to you.
Quote:Tarn's "The Greeks In Bactria & India" deals with the political history of the region fairly well, but the scholarship has begun to show its age. The newest edition, however, contains a greatly expanded and updated bibliography by Frank Holt and M.C.J Miller that may be of some use to you.
The book I just read and mentioned Tarn several times. Basically he tore it apart for way too much artistic license in his interpretation of the minimal evidence that exists.
I will pick it up at some point and read it but it will be with a huge grain of salt.
As one of the first scholars to directly confront many of the "fringe issues" of ancient and especially Hellenistic history, Tarn's various works are often targeted for a good thrashing by more recent specialists. It is interesting to note, however, that many of the same scholars that tear Tarn down also credit his groundbreaking work as an early inspiration to them. Students surpassing the teacher and all that...such is the historical discipline.
As I mentioned earlier though, the real value of Tarn's work is its now-voluminous bibliography (supplied by Tarn, Holt and Miller), in which you should be able to find virtually all the existing scholarship (in several languages) on Bactrian history, military or otherwise.
We (Pen & Sword) have The Wars of Alexanders Successors 323-281BC volume 1 coming out in the UK in July. This first volume concentrates on a narrative of the big events, the shifting alliances, strategy etc..
Volume 2, which will follow in spring 2009 will then go back and look more at the tactical level - at the make up of the armies and give more detail on how the major battles were fought etc.
Authors: Bob Bennett and Mike Roberts. Price £19.99
Phil Sidnell
Commissioning Editor (Ancient Warfare)
Senator Bob Bennett? kudos.
Who? No, not a senator. The authors are both first-time authors, but they've been researching and building a website on the Successors for about ten years.
Don't forget Diodorus Siculus! His account of the wars of Alexander's warlords is the clearest and most readable I've ever read, and is the source for about 60% of what we know of the period. You get get it from Loeb Classical Library as volumes IX and X of his Library of History; I don't know of any other edition.
I would agree with Sean....Diodorus is your best bet !
Two modern books (well, not so modern) that are also good and probably still available ( I have them in paperback) are:-
"History of the Greek World 323-146 BC M. Cary (1950) reprinted many times since (University Paperbacks/Methuen and co...distributed by Harper & Row in the U.S.) ...a good detailed History, covering military aspects quite well, including chapters on Hellenistic Warcraft, and appendices on detailed matters such as numbers at Raphia, Naval operations in the Lamian War,Numbers of ships at Salamis(2), the various Syrian wars etc ....owes a good deal to Tarn.
"The Hellenistic World" F.W. Walbank (1981) many reprints since, Fontana - shorter than the above and no specific military content, but gives a readable overview of this period.
...not forgetting the "Cambridge Ancient History", probably available through inter-library loan !
Quote:We (Pen & Sword) have The Wars of Alexanders Successors 323-281BC volume 1 coming out in the UK in July. This first volume concentrates on a narrative of the big events, the shifting alliances, strategy etc..
Volume 2, which will follow in spring 2009 will then go back and look more at the tactical level - at the make up of the armies and give more detail on how the major battles were fought etc.
Authors: Bob Bennett and Mike Roberts. Price £19.99
Phil Sidnell
Commissioning Editor (Ancient Warfare)
Both sound very interesting. I will have to get them both when they come out. Hopefully they will be available this side fo the pond and I dont have to pay to have them shipped.