Armies of the Hellenistic States, 323 BC–AD 30
Armies of the Hellenistic States, 323 BC–AD 30

Author: Gabriele Esposito

Publisher: Pen and Sword

Published: 2019-02-28

Total Pages: 248

ISBN-13: 1526730308

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This fully illustrated history chronicles the evolution of Hellenistic warfare from the death of Alexander the Great to Rome’s conquest of the region. This book provides a complete and detailed analysis of the organization and equipment employed by the armies of the Hellenistic States. After Alexander the Great’s death in 323 BC, his immense Macedonian empire was divided between his generals, who in turn formed their own monarchies across Eastern Europe, Asia and North Africa. This work will follow the development of the Hellenistic military forces from the army bequeathed by Alexander to the complex military machines that succumbed one by one in the wars against the expanding Romans. Fully illustrated with color photographs, this volume also shows how Hellenistic forces were strongly influenced by Roman models during the last years of independence of their kingdoms. The states analyzed are: Macedon, Seleucid Empire, Ptolemaic Egypt, The Greco-Bactrian Kingdom, Armenia, Pergamon, Pontus, Cappadocia, Galatia, The Bosporan Kingdom, Epirus, Sicily, The Achaean League and The Aetolian League.

Armies of the Thracians & Dacians, 500 BC–AD 150
Armies of the Thracians & Dacians, 500 BC–AD 150

Author: Gabriele Esposito

Publisher: Pen and Sword Military

Published: 2021-06-30

Total Pages: 225

ISBN-13: 1526772752

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A history of these warring armies who dominated the ancient world, with eighty detailed photos and illustrations of equipment. The Thracians, mentioned as early as the eighth century BC in Homer’s Iliad, were fundamental in the evolution of Greek military systems across the ages. They fought in the Persian Wars, were part of Alexander the Great’s army, were used as mercenaries in many Hellenistic armies, and resisted Roman conquest for a long time. In addition, they used some iconic weapons and had a distinctive panoply. The Dacians were a mix of different cultures and were extremely influenced by some steppe peoples, such as the Sarmatians. They had a lot in common with the Thracians, but had a different history. They formed one of the largest and most powerful kingdoms of antiquity, a sort of superpower that dominated over the Balkans. Their wars against Trajan and the Roman Army were absolutely epic, the last campaigns of conquest in the history of the Western Roman Empire. This book about the Thracians and Dacians features a rich collection of photos specifically created for it by reenactors.

Macedonian Armies after Alexander 323–168 BC
Macedonian Armies after Alexander 323–168 BC

Author: Nicholas Sekunda

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2012-11-20

Total Pages: 112

ISBN-13: 1782003223

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The death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC threw the Macedonians into confusion; there was no capable heir, and no clear successor among the senior figures in Alexander's circle. Initial attempts to preserve the unity of Alexander's conquests gave way to a period of bloody and prolonged warfare. For well over a century the largely mercenary armies of Alexander's successors imposed their influence over the whole of the Near East, while absorbing local military practices. After Rome's decisive defeat of Carthage in 202 BC, Macedonia came under increasing pressure from the Romans. Three wars between the two powers culminated in the Roman victory at Pydna in 168 BC, which laid Alexander's empire to rest and established Roman hegemony in the Near East. Drawing upon a wide array of archaeological and written sources and written by a noted authority on the Hellenistic period, this survey of the organization, battle history and appearance of the armies of Alexander's successors is lavishly illustrated with specially commissioned full-colour artwork.

Light Infantry of the Greek and Roman World
Light Infantry of the Greek and Roman World

Author: Jean Charl du Plessis

Publisher: Pen and Sword Military

Published: 2024-10-30

Total Pages: 257

ISBN-13: 1399081519

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Ancient accounts of battle often neglected the role of lightly-armed infantry, presenting the deeds of the heavy infantry, such as Greek hoplites or Roman legionaries, or dashing cavalry charges as the decisive battle winners. This bias was partly due to the light infantry typically being drawn from the poorer sections of society, who could not afford to equip themselves with armor and because they generally fought from a distance, killing from afar with missile weapons, not bravely face-to-face like heroes worthy of recording. Modern research has generally followed this bias. Dr Jean Charl Du Plessis argues that while light infantry might have had a subordinate role in pitched battles, such clashes were relatively rare occurrences. Most ancient campaigns consisted mostly of foraging, raiding and pillaging of enemy territory, minor skirmishes and ambushes, all roles in which light infantry excelled. In particular they were indispensable for an army traversing mountainous or forested terrain. Moreover, he shows that even in pitched battles they were far from useless and made a valuable contribution, typically harassing the enemy as they deployed and screening friendly battle lines from similar treatment. Some, such as Cretan archers or Balearic slingers were highly sought-after specialists. Uniquely, the author draws on years of practical experimentation to demonstrate and test the various weapons used: slings, bows and javelins, including the use of the amentum throwing strap. This yields fresh evidence and insights into matters such as range, penetrative power and the level of skill and practice required. Overall, this is a valuable study of these forgotten heroes of ancient warfare.

Armies of Ancient Italy, 753–218 BC
Armies of Ancient Italy, 753–218 BC

Author: Gabriele Esposito

Publisher: Pen and Sword Military

Published: 2021-01-18

Total Pages: 297

ISBN-13: 1526751860

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A military history of ancient Italy, featuring details of the weapons, equipment, and tactics, as well as color photos showing how warriors looked. Before becoming the masters of the Mediterranean world, the Romans had first to conquer the Italian peninsula in a series of harsh conflicts against its other varied and warlike residents. The outcome was no foregone conclusion and it took the Romans half a millennium to secure the whole of Italy. In Armies of Ancient Italy 753–218 BC, Gabriele Esposito presents the armies that fought these wars, in which the Roman military spirit and their famous legions were forged. He not only follows the evolution of the Roman forces from the Regal Period to the outbreak of the Second Punic War but also the forces of their neighbors, rivals and enemies. The most notable of these, the Etruscans, Samnites and the Italian Greeks are given particular attention but others, such as the Celts and Ligures of the North and the warriors of Sicily and Sardinia, are also considered. Details of the organization, weapons, equipment and tactics of each army are described, while dozens of beautiful color photos of reenactors show how these warriors looked in the field. “Once more, a beautifully illustrated book, this time starting with the story of Rome from the Regal Period to the Second Punic War. The author follows the highly successful format of his books covering the late period of the Roman Empire.—Most Highly Recommended.” —Firetrench “An interesting look at all the people of the Italian era, but what really brings it to life are the countless full colour photographs of re-enactor groups in the correct armour and dress for the various tribes and regions they represent. Excellent production standards and a fascinating look at the history of early Rome.” —The Armourer

Armies of Celtic Europe, 700 BC–AD 106
Armies of Celtic Europe, 700 BC–AD 106

Author: Gabriele Esposito

Publisher: Pen and Sword

Published: 2019-10-30

Total Pages: 271

ISBN-13: 1526730340

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A look at the military might of these ancient warriors who sacked Rome and conquered much of Europe. Although comprised of many distinct tribes and groupings, the Celts shared a distinctive culture that dominated much of Europe for centuries, and enjoyed a formidable reputation as fierce and brave warriors, skilled horsemen, and fine metalworkers. In 390 BC, an alliance of Celtic tribes defeated a Roman army at the River Allia and went on to sack Rome and thenceforth the Romans lived under their threat. In the early third century BC, a Celtic army swept into Macedonia and Greece, won a major victory at Thermopylai, and ransacked the sacred sanctuary at Delphi. Such was their warlike prowess that, when not fighting their own wars, they were sought after as mercenaries by many armies, serving as far afield as southern Egypt. When the Romans invaded Gaul—modern-day France and Belgium—and the British Isles, Celtic armies resisted them fiercely. In this book, Gabriele Esposito studies this fascinating warrior culture, their armies, strategy, tactics, and equipment—they invented the horned saddle and chainmail, and British armies were the last in Europe to use chariots on the battlefield. Also included are dozens of color photographs of reenactors to help bring these magnificent warriors back to life.

Army and Society in Ptolemaic Egypt
Army and Society in Ptolemaic Egypt

Author: Christelle Fischer-Bovet

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2014-04-10

Total Pages: 475

ISBN-13: 1107007755

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This book examines how the army developed as an engine of socio-economic and cultural integration in Egypt under Greco-Macedonian rule.

Armies of Ancient Greece Circa 500 to 338 Bc
Armies of Ancient Greece Circa 500 to 338 Bc

Author: Gabriele Esposito

Publisher: Pen & Sword Military

Published: 2020-04-30

Total Pages: 224

ISBN-13: 9781526751898

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Conflict was rife among the Greeks of the Classical period, including some of the most famous wars and battles of the whole ancient period, such as the defeat of the Persians at Marathon, the Spartans' heroic last stand at Thermopylae, the gruelling Pelopponesian War and the epic March of the Ten Thousand. The Greek heavy infantry spearmen, or hoplites, are one of the most recognizable types of ancient warrior and their tightly-packed phalanx formation dominated the battlefield. Covering the period from the Persian Wars to the Macedonian victory at the Battle of Chaeronea, Gabriele Esposito examines not only the hoplites but also the other troops that featured in Greek armies with growing importance as time went on, such as light infantry skirmishers and cavalry. He details their arms, armour and equipment, organization and tactics. His clear, informative text is beautifully illustrated with dozens of colour photographs showing how the equipment was worn and used.

Alexander of Macedon, 356-323 B.C.
Alexander of Macedon, 356-323 B.C.

Author: Peter Green

Publisher: Univ of California Press

Published: 1991

Total Pages: 668

ISBN-13: 9780520071667

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This biography portrays Alexander as both a complex personality and a single-minded general, a man capable of such diverse expediencies as patricide or the massacre of civilians. Writing for the general reader, the author provides gritty details on Alexander's darker side while providing a gripping tale of Alexander's career.

A History of the Hellenistic World
A History of the Hellenistic World

Author: R. Malcolm Errington

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2011-08-26

Total Pages: 292

ISBN-13: 1444359592

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A History of the Hellenistic World provides an engaging look at the Macedonian monarchies in the period following the reign of Alexander the Great, and examines their impact on the Greek world. Offers a clearly organized narrative with particular emphasis on state and governmental structures Makes extensive use of inscriptions in translation to illustrate the continuing vitality of the Greek city states prior to the Roman conquest Emphasizes the specific Macedonian origins of all active participants in the creation of the Hellenistic world Highlights the relationships between Greek city-states and Macedonian monarchies