Buy:duff beer
02-23-05, 08:30 PM
Here's my review of the hardcover Warfare in the Classical World by John Warry.
Warfare in the Classical World by John Warry is an all text book that goes deep with satisfying detail ranging all the way from the wars of the Homeric Period to the Barbarian invasions that ended the western Empire, even further into the Eastern empire and the Dark Ages ( i recall explanations on the Greek fire that were used). All the commanders, well known and not are explained, the historic reference used from ancient historians, all the political/economic backrounds to war such as many of the campaigns being funded by silver mines from various Roman sites in a comment i recall, naval campaigns no less important are studied, every possible structure of war machines. Caesar, a lover of chronicling his campaigns for example even gave exact measurments of his earthworks and fortifications his army made without any logistics as it fought in Gaul and Brittania and later challenged Rome, and won. It's a great book that i've read over many times because there's just so much information in it, though one nit-pick, it doesn't go deeper into the Roman-Persian wars as it should as they eclipsed every other war of the Ancient world in scope, depth, length, men, materiel, and effort, fought over 4 centuries each side not having the strength to overtake the other, but i bought another book for that, so i give this book a solid 5/5.
Warfare in the Classical World by John Warry is an all text book that goes deep with satisfying detail ranging all the way from the wars of the Homeric Period to the Barbarian invasions that ended the western Empire, even further into the Eastern empire and the Dark Ages ( i recall explanations on the Greek fire that were used). All the commanders, well known and not are explained, the historic reference used from ancient historians, all the political/economic backrounds to war such as many of the campaigns being funded by silver mines from various Roman sites in a comment i recall, naval campaigns no less important are studied, every possible structure of war machines. Caesar, a lover of chronicling his campaigns for example even gave exact measurments of his earthworks and fortifications his army made without any logistics as it fought in Gaul and Brittania and later challenged Rome, and won. It's a great book that i've read over many times because there's just so much information in it, though one nit-pick, it doesn't go deeper into the Roman-Persian wars as it should as they eclipsed every other war of the Ancient world in scope, depth, length, men, materiel, and effort, fought over 4 centuries each side not having the strength to overtake the other, but i bought another book for that, so i give this book a solid 5/5.