Product Description

Spanning over a thousand years and an immense geographical area, the Roman Empire was the greatest in world history. At its most powerful, the Empire cast a shadow across the known world, and its legacy continues to influence politics, art and culture around the world today. Rome's power was won on the battlefield, and the greatness of the Empire is reflected in the warlike reputations of the enemies it subdued. Hannibal, the Carthaginians, Mithridates, the Gauls, the Sassanid Persians and the infamous Goths are amongst the forces that battled the might of Rome. "Rome and Her Enemies" juxtaposes the society and military structure of each of these peoples with those of the contemporary Roman army. Divided into four chronological sections focusing on major wars and battles, the book is lavishly illustrated throughout, and colour photographs, artwork and maps support the text to provide a comprehensive introduction to the rise and fall of an empire created and destroyed by war.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #400066 in Books
• Published on: 2005-09-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 304 pages

About the Author
An Oxford history graduate, Jane Penrose has published historical books for 10 years. She recently edited the highly acclaimed D-Day Companion for Osprey Publishing. Jane lives and works in Norfolk, England

Customer Reviews

The Romans against the Barbarians
There are a dozen books on the ancient Roman military aimed at the layman. This is one of the finest. Erudite and lucid text; stunning illustrations, photographs and colour plates, and intelligently edited.

This book gives you the entire overview of Roman military history, from the founding of the city, to the fall of the Western Empire. Each section has a chapter centering on the Romans, as well as a few others that look solely on their enemies. For instance, in part one (the Early Republic), we have chapters on the Etruscans, Carthaginians and Hellenistic Empires. In part two (the Late Republic), their are chapters on Numantines, Gauls and Germans etc. These help show you the developments of Roman equipment, tactics and strategy, as well as the developments of their enemies.

Each section is filled with photographs, maps and paintings, but most stunning of all are illustrations from various artists, ranging from Angus McBride to Richard Hook and a dozen others. These illustrations help demonstrate the changes in costume and weaponry of the Romans, from the Bronze Age Warbands of Romulus's day to the medievalesque appearance of the late Roman legionary.
It also contains reconstructive paintings of Rome's enemies. If you've ever wondered what a Thracian Chieftain looked like, or a Parthian horse-archer or even an Iberian cavalryman, then this book will show you.
Each reconstruction is based on historical and archaeological evidence.

If you've just begun studying Rome's military, then this book would make a good choice. It's well written, packed with good pictures, short biographical sections, good maps (the tactical maps are not up to scratch though), chronological timelines and a dozen other things.

ROME all covered
This is a great book - it covers the history of ROME well and is pitched @ a good level that is engaging to read.

Overall would happily recommend this book.