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Good evening,
First post here. And it's probably going to be one of those annoying posts.
I've relatively recently become interested in Ancient history, the horizon of my interests creeping slowly backwards from the Medieval and Renaissance periods.
I've read a few pretty good books on the formation of Rome, and the development and deployment of its armies against itself and its many enemies.
What I have not found a lot written about is the military organisations and armaments of Rome's enemies. It's all well and good to be well versed in Roman military history, but is it not also important to know exactly who these armies were meant to face off against? That is, of course, when they're not facing off against themselves.
To the point:
I'd be most grateful for any recommendations for books that discuss the armies of Rome's enemies, from any and all periods of Rome's history.
Thanks!
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There are a few Osprey books that aren't terrible, though too short to really do any one enemy justice. If you really want to learn about s specific enemy pick a conflict they were involved in against Rome and read a few decent books written about them. They usually will devote entire chapters about the enemy, their culture and history, their arms, and method of warfare.
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Theres always Greece and Rome at war by Peter Connolly...
Ivor
"And the four bare walls stand on the seashore. a wreck a skeleton a monument of that instability and vicissitude to which all things human are subject. Not a dwelling within sight, and the farm labourer, and curious traveller, are the only persons that ever visit the scene where once so many thousands were congregated." T.Lewin 1867
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Hi Dave,
I have extracted the page from my library catalogue which includes titles on ancient armies excluding Roman, so the Greeks are on there plus various "barbarian" and others. Excuse the categorisations - just me trying to bring some sort of classification to the books I own (and they go up to circa 1000AD so some will be too late for your interest, I think). The ones marked "1" are Osprey. You should be able to find info on them on Amazon or Google Books if they look interesting - and no doubt members will have their own views on the quality of each item if you want to seek opinions.
Happy browsing!
John
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Just a quick note. Read Osprey books with caution. They tend to simplify-- "dummy-down"-- history into a concise and glossy format... with lots of semi-accurate color illustrations. I have several of their books on the "enemies" of Rome, and none quite hit the nail on the head.
Alan J. Campbell
member of Legio III Cyrenaica and the Uncouth Barbarians
Author of:
The Demon's Door Bolt (2011)
Forging the Blade (2012)
"It's good to be king. Even when you're dead!"
Old Yuezhi/Pazyrk proverb
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Thanks Alan.
I've browsed through a few Ospreys from time to time and have come to the same conclusion.
I settled on establishing my Roman Army (plus enemies) library with these tomes:
Roman Warfare (Goldsworthy)
The Roman Army: A History 753 BC - AD 476 (Southern)
Greece and Rome at War (Connolly) and,
Warfare in the Classical World (Warry)
I already have and have been working through Delbruck's epic works too.
Let's see how well I can edgumukate myself with those sources. Should be enough to get me started. Though I do have some other titles from this thread on my 'to look out for' list.
Thanks folks,
D
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That one by Matyszak looks alright.
(naff question alert) What's the art like inside it? What interests me more than modern artists' impressions is photos of extant art...frescoes, sculpture, coins et al.
Cheers,
D
