ANCIENT WARFARE; A Very Short Introduction

Sidebottom, Harry

ISBN 10: 0192804707 / ISBN 13: 9780192804709

Editore: Oxford University Press, 2005

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Scholar's name to half-title (Robert Brown). Else fine.; Greek and Roman warfare was unlike that of any other culture before or since. The key difference is often held to be that the Greeks and Romans practiced a "Western Way of War," in which the aim is an open, decisive battle--won by courage instilled, in part, by discipline. Here, Harry Sidebottom looks at how this Western Way of War was constructed and maintained by the Greeks and Romans and why this concept is so prevalent today. All aspects of ancient warfare are thoroughly examined--from philosophy and strategy to the technical skills needed to fight. Sidebottom examines war in the wider context, showing how wars were able to shape classical society, and how an individual's identity was sometimes constructed by war, as in the case of the Christian soldier fighting in God's name. He also explores the ways in which ancient society thought about conflict: Can a war be just? Why was siege warfare particularly bloody? What role did divine intervention play in the outcome of a battle? Taking fascinating examples from the iliad, Tacitus, and the Persian Wars, Sidebottom uses arresting anecdotes and striking visual images to show that any understanding of ancient war is an ongoing process of interpretation.; 166 pages.

Codice articolo 18831

Dati bibliografici

• Titolo: ANCIENT WARFARE; A Very Short Introduction
• Editore: Oxford University Press
• Data di pubblicazione: 2005
• Lingua: Inglese
• ISBN 10: 0192804707
• ISBN 13: 9780192804709
• Rilegatura: Paperback
• Condizione: Very Good+
• Cataloghi dei venditori:
  • Military & Warfare

Descrizione articolo

Riassunto

Greek and Roman warfare differed from other cultures and was unlike any other forms of warfare before and after. The key difference is often held to be that the Greeks and Romans practised a 'Western Way of War', where the aim is an open, decisive battle, won by courage instilled in part by discipline. Harry Sidebottom looks at how and why this 'Western Way of War' was constructed and maintained by the Greeks and Romans, why this concept is so popular and prevalent today, and at whether or not this is an accurate interpretation.

All aspects of ancient warfare are thoroughly examined - from philosophy and strategy to the technical skills needed to fight. He looks at war in the wider context - how wars could shape classical society, and how the individual's identity could be constructed by war, for example the Christian soldier fighting in God's name. He also explores the ways in which ancient society thought about conflict: Can a war be just? Why was siege warfare particularly bloody? What role did divine intervention play in the outcome of a battle?

Taking fascinating examples from the Iliad, Tacitus, and the Persian Wars, Sidebottom uses arresting anecdotes and striking visual images to show that the any understanding of ancient war is an ongoing process of interpretation.

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Informazioni sull'autore

Dr Harry Sidebottom is Fellow of Greyfriar`s Hall, and Lecturer in Ancient History at Lincoln College, University of Oxford. He had written for and contributed to many publications, including Classical Review, Journal of Roman Studies, and War and Society in the Roman World.