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09-11-2003, 08:38 PM

I'm looking for some books recommendations. I'm especially interested in the Roman army but Rome and Greece in general is fine. 
 
One that I've enjoyed (and believe to be fairly acurate) is 
"Warfare in the Classical World: By John Gibson Warry " 
 
I've heard good things about 
"Greece and Rome at War: By Peter Connolly " 
 
Are they very similar or are there enough differences to warrant a purchase? 
 
I saw "The Ancient City: Life in Classical Athens & Rome 
By Peter Connolly", and I have to say I'm tempted. Is it any good? 
 
Other books that I'm considering and would like opinions on are: 
 
1) Roman Warfare (History of Warfare) 
by Adrian Goldsworthy, 
 
2)Eagle in the Snow: A Novel 
by Wallace Breem 
 
3)Byzantine Wars,The 
by John Haldon 
 
4)Byzantium: The Early Centuries 
by John Julius Norwich 
 
5)Meditations 
by Marcus Aurelius-Modern Library translation (This one I'm especially concerned about. Is it an enjoyable read after translated? Interesting?) 
 
 
I'd appreciate any opinions on the above books as well 
as other recommendations you might have.

09-12-2003, 06:35 AM

"The Ancient City" is wonderful; as a classics teacher I'm constantly referring to it. Connolly's illustrations are superb and always based on extensive research; the text, by Hazel Dodge, is very sound and informative. 
 
I've got both the Warry and "Greece and Rome at War"; I find the Connolly book more useful but I'm not a military expert, just a dabbler. 
 
"Eagle in the Snow" is excellent - thank the gods it's now back in print (another positive "Gladiator" side effect, I believe); I've read a lot of historical fiction and this is one of the more impressive. 
 
Anything by John Julius Norwich is worth a read; he's a real polymath and his written style is superb. There is a condensed version of his Byzantium series available, but the individual volumes are well worth the extra. 
 
Even as a Latin teacher I found Marcus Aurelius hard going; I read his stuff years ago at the pace of one meditation a day. But I don't have the right temperament for philosophy, I fear. 
 
I haven't read the others you mention, though another Goldsworthy book, "The Roman Army at War 100BC-AD200" is fascinating. 
 
Shaun

Jeroen Pelgrom · 09-12-2003, 07:05 AM

the books which are listed in the bookstore of Roman army.com are all highly recommended. And, if you purchase through RA.com, RAT gets some of the money! 
 
(a little salesmen talk...) Volo anaticulam cumminosam meam!

09-12-2003, 08:52 AM

Salve, 
 
The index should point to relevant threads to answer some of those questions (egRoman warfare or Good ones). 
 
Warry's Warfare in the classical world and Connolly's Greece and Rome at war cover much the same ground and the text and illustrations comparable in quality. A more recent introduction to the generally interested reader would be Goldsworthy's Roman warfare. For a good introduction with annotations and source references I can recommend Campbell, B., War and society in imperial Rome (London 2002) 208p. 
 
Haldon, J., The Byzantine wars (Stroud 2001) 160p, gives an overview of a selection of campaigns of the Byzantine period, covering both the fighting and the characteristics of the Roman army at the time. A nice read though if working on a limited budget more value to the money would be provided by getting a more detailed overview of the early Byzantine army by the same author: Haldon, J., Warfare, state and society in the Byzantine world 565-1204 (London 1999) 389p. 
 
Regards, 
 
Sander van Dorst Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub45.ezboard.com/bromanarmytalk.showUserPublicProfile?gid=sandervandorst@romanarmytalk>Sander van Dorst</A> at: 9/12/03 10:53 am

derek forrest · 10-17-2003, 05:11 PM

Peter has a new book on Pompeii published on the 16th

**richsc** · 10-17-2003, 10:41 PM

By whom you mean Peter Connolly? in addition to his other book on Pompeii? Do you have an isbn ? 
 
He has a new book on the colliseum: 
 
www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obi...61-4399647 Legio XX 
Fortius Conamur 
 
Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub45.ezboard.com/bromanarmytalk.showUserPublicProfile?gid=richsc@romanarmytalk>RichSC</A> at: 10/18/03 12:43 am

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