Product Description

The three Punic Wars lasted nearly 100 years, from 264 BC to 146 BC. They represented a struggle for supremacy in the Mediterranean between the bludgeoning land power of Rome, bent on imperial conquest, and the great maritime power of Carthage with its colonies and trading posts spread around the Mediterranean. The dramas and tragedies of the Punic Wars exemplify many political and military lessons which are as relevant today as when Hannibal and Scipio Africanus fought to determine the course of history in the Mediterranean.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #298125 in Books
• Published on: 2002-02-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 96 pages

Times Educational Supplement
‘Teachers or A-level students looking for details of military campaigns will certainly find these books detailed and authoritative.’

History Today
‘[Essential Histories are] clear and concise.’

Daily Express
‘[Essential Histories are] accessible and well illustrated.’

Customer Reviews

Makes history fun
Gosh, what can i say. When i read this book i was blown away. The amount of fact is remarkable for such a short book. All major events are covered in the punic wars. The book has a tendency to focus on Hannibal and the second war, but that is understandable.
The fact that this book is 100% in colour is perfect, and instantly makes for a more enjoyable read.
If you just want an overview of the punic wars then this is the book for you. It blends humour and fact very well, which makes you want to read more.
All in all a must buy for someone who just wants an introduction to this turbulent era of history (perfect for children as well).

A very good introduction to the subject
As usual with the essential histories titles, this book provides a very good introduction to this subject. The author describes the complex events of the three punic wars as a series of phases, which helps the reader to understand the wider strategic situation in these wars, which were spread across the entire mediterranean area involving many different factions (not just Carthage and Rome).
Something that appeals to me about this book is that it does not try to infer too much from the few facts we have available to us today (some historians will tell you that a roman army camped on a particular location for three days before marching northwards and dying of the plague, on the evidence of a single toothpick found 4 miles away). Instead the author describes different possible reasons why Hannibal did not march on Rome following the battle of Cannae for example, and admits that we know little about exactly what information was at his disposal when he made this decision.
With many confusing names in the book (a tribe of Scipios and the "Ha" names of Carthage; Hanno, Hasdrubal and Hannibal), the glossary of names at the end is also a valuable addition.
This book will give you an interest in the punic wars at an affordable price where a more expensive, thicker book could well kill your interest. That said, there was much more to the punic wars than the events described in this book, but this is certainly the best place to start.

A superb introduction to the Punic Wars
I have just finished reading this book, which I had purchased specifically to learn about the Punic Wars to decide if I wanted to read more deeply on the subject.

The book was an excellent way to introduce a novice to the subject. It is concise and comprehensive, and although it does not go into much detail about battle plans, political influences or the lives of those involved it does give a well rounded account of the wars, and does introduce you gently to the characters involved, particularly Hannibal and Scipio.

After reading this well crafted work it has wetted my appetite and I have now started reading Theodore Ayrault Dodge's "Hannibal"

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to take their very first steps in learning about the Punic Wars, those with some knowledge would probably find that this book was a little too basic. I would also read other books in the essential histories if they are all to this high standard.