Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
4/5
Audiobook4 hours
Roman Warfare
Written by Adrian Goldsworthy
Narrated by Richard Poe
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
4/5
()
About this audiobook
From an award-winning historian of ancient Rome, a concise and comprehensive history of the fighting forces that created the Roman Empire
Roman warfare was relentless in its pursuit of victory. A ruthless approach to combat played a major part in Rome's history, creating an empire that eventually included much of Europe, the Near East and North Africa. What distinguished the Roman army from its opponents was the uncompromising and total destruction of its enemies. Yet this ferocity was combined with a genius for absorbing conquered peoples, creating one of the most enduring empires ever known.
In Roman Warfare, celebrated historian Adrian Goldsworthy traces the history of Roman warfare from 753 BC, the traditional date of the founding of Rome by Romulus, to the eventual decline and fall of Roman Empire and attempts to recover Rome and Italy from the "barbarians" in the sixth century AD. It is the indispensable history of the most professional fighting force in ancient history, an army that created an Empire and changed the world.
Roman warfare was relentless in its pursuit of victory. A ruthless approach to combat played a major part in Rome's history, creating an empire that eventually included much of Europe, the Near East and North Africa. What distinguished the Roman army from its opponents was the uncompromising and total destruction of its enemies. Yet this ferocity was combined with a genius for absorbing conquered peoples, creating one of the most enduring empires ever known.
In Roman Warfare, celebrated historian Adrian Goldsworthy traces the history of Roman warfare from 753 BC, the traditional date of the founding of Rome by Romulus, to the eventual decline and fall of Roman Empire and attempts to recover Rome and Italy from the "barbarians" in the sixth century AD. It is the indispensable history of the most professional fighting force in ancient history, an army that created an Empire and changed the world.
Author
Adrian Goldsworthy
Adrian Goldsworthy's doctoral thesis formed the basis for his first book, The Roman Army at War 100 BC–AD 200 (OUP, 1996), and his research has focused on aspects of warfare in the Graeco-Roman world. He is the bestselling author of many ancient world titles, including both military history and historical novels. He also consults on historical documentaries for the History Channel, National Geographic, and the BBC. Adrian Goldsworthy studied at Oxford, where his doctoral thesis examined the Roman army. He went on to become an acclaimed historian of Ancient Rome. He is the author of numerous works of non-fiction, including Philip and Alexander: Kings and Conquerors, Caesar, The Fall of the West, Pax Romana and Hadrian's Wall.
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Reviews for Roman Warfare
Rating: 3.988372104651163 out of 5 stars
4/5
43 ratings4 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The book by Adrian Goldsworthy presents a neat summary on Roman Warfare from the early Republic to the late Imperial age. The work is not intended to focus on any specific aspect of Roman military strategy, rather it provides a very succinct overview of this vast subject. The author nonetheless remarks some key factors in the development of Roman Military politics and contrast them with standard scholarly ideas. The importance of Romans approach to warfare and the evolution of Army's structure and deployment in response to political and military necessities are the main points that can be inferred from the book. Despite the conciseness the author supports these arguments with references to historical and archaeological sources. A nicely written essay to start a great adventure into Roman military history.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Not a bad read at all. I enjoyed the information on ancient Roman military history and warfare. The diagrams of various Roman battle formations and battles in Roman history were particularly helpful. The book was especially interesting for me, as a Soldier, to see where so many of the customs and traditions still used in many militaries today originated. Plus this has to be the coolest book I've ever been assigned to read for a class!
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5well-written easy read. I love the maps, pictures and illustrations. I would have wanted the book to feature more illustrations and detailed account of roman battles. I think they only featured about 4-7 battles.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Detailed description of Roman army (as possible, regarding the time-span covered [each chapter could be covered by at least the book of the same size]) evolution – from the early legions, highly disciplined and hardened veterans of Imperialist era to border-guarding standing army at the very end of the Roman Empire. Many parallels can be found with militaries around the world today (especially of those considered to be super powers) – what happens to the perfectly honed war machines when there are no enemies left to fight?
Recommended.