04-05-2001, 02:38 PM
"The Grand Strategy of the Roman Empire from the First Century AD to the Third"<br>
Luttwak, Edward N.<br>
The Johns Hopkins University Press 1976<br>
ISBN 0-8018-2158-4<br>
<br>
This work, is as the title states, an analysis of the overall strategic considerations of Imperial Rome over a period of three centuries. As a specialist in strategic analysis and international relations, Luttwak has applied a comprehensive approach covering the whole of the empire during a period when fundamental changes in the empire's<br>
direction took place.<br>
It is not a "sword and armor" book even though the topic focuses on the application of military force. It addresses<br>
an evolving civilization and the two main requirements needed to preserve itself, a sound material base and adequate security. Luttwak has identified three systems of<br>
imperial security over the period covered by his work. Each system was intended to deal with a set of priorities. Luttwak uses these priorities to show the changing concept of empire. The first, hegemonic expansionism; the second,<br>
territorial security; the third, survival.<br>
Luttwak goes into great detail concerning the Julio-Claudian client states and mobile armies (chapter 1), the<br>
Flavians to the Severi and what Luttwak calls "scientific"<br>
frontiers,as well as preclusive defense (chapter 2), and covers the crisis of the third century with defense in depth (chapter 3).<br>
<br>
What I got from this book was a clearer sense of the "big picture". We know where many of the legions were posted and when. We know the tactical reasons for their postings and perhaps in a general sense the strategic reasons. Luttwak shows the specific strategic reasons and examines the overall "why". The examination of the various elements that<br>
constitute a strategic analysis, integrated diplomacy, military forces, road networks, and fortifications, helped me to see the complexity of the problem of empire faced by<br>
the Romans.<br>
<br>
This work is heavily footnoted and I suspect many of these references will be familiar ones. Others may not be...<br>
Luttwak also includes usefull maps and illustrations.<br>
An excellent essay on the deffinitions/implications of power and force is included in the appendix. Luttwak does<br>
mention the navy and seapower but as usual the navy gets<br>
"short shrift".<br>
<br>
I would recommend reading this work if you have not already done so.<br>
<br>
Bene vale,<br>
Allectus<br>
<p></p><i></i>
Luttwak, Edward N.<br>
The Johns Hopkins University Press 1976<br>
ISBN 0-8018-2158-4<br>
<br>
This work, is as the title states, an analysis of the overall strategic considerations of Imperial Rome over a period of three centuries. As a specialist in strategic analysis and international relations, Luttwak has applied a comprehensive approach covering the whole of the empire during a period when fundamental changes in the empire's<br>
direction took place.<br>
It is not a "sword and armor" book even though the topic focuses on the application of military force. It addresses<br>
an evolving civilization and the two main requirements needed to preserve itself, a sound material base and adequate security. Luttwak has identified three systems of<br>
imperial security over the period covered by his work. Each system was intended to deal with a set of priorities. Luttwak uses these priorities to show the changing concept of empire. The first, hegemonic expansionism; the second,<br>
territorial security; the third, survival.<br>
Luttwak goes into great detail concerning the Julio-Claudian client states and mobile armies (chapter 1), the<br>
Flavians to the Severi and what Luttwak calls "scientific"<br>
frontiers,as well as preclusive defense (chapter 2), and covers the crisis of the third century with defense in depth (chapter 3).<br>
<br>
What I got from this book was a clearer sense of the "big picture". We know where many of the legions were posted and when. We know the tactical reasons for their postings and perhaps in a general sense the strategic reasons. Luttwak shows the specific strategic reasons and examines the overall "why". The examination of the various elements that<br>
constitute a strategic analysis, integrated diplomacy, military forces, road networks, and fortifications, helped me to see the complexity of the problem of empire faced by<br>
the Romans.<br>
<br>
This work is heavily footnoted and I suspect many of these references will be familiar ones. Others may not be...<br>
Luttwak also includes usefull maps and illustrations.<br>
An excellent essay on the deffinitions/implications of power and force is included in the appendix. Luttwak does<br>
mention the navy and seapower but as usual the navy gets<br>
"short shrift".<br>
<br>
I would recommend reading this work if you have not already done so.<br>
<br>
Bene vale,<br>
Allectus<br>
<p></p><i></i>
