Northwest Greece has always been relatively isolated from the rest of the Greek mainland and, with the exception of small pockets of intense development on the coast, is still little visited by foreign tourists. Modern guidebooks of necessity concentrate on the few important classical and Hellenistic sites with only passing reference to medieval and later fortifications. Yet these monuments bear witness to the complex later history of the region when Norman, Italian, Angevin, Serbian, Venetian, Turkish and Albanian invaders competed for control. This book is intended to redress this imbalance by providing a detailed guide to a selection of the castles and forts of the area dating from the early Byzantine period to the eve of the First World War.
The Military Revolution and Revolutions in Military Affairs updates two central debates in military history--the one surrounding the concept of military revolution, and the one on military affairs--whilst advancing original research in both fields. Only a handful of publications consider the military revolution and the RMA in tandem. This book breaks new ground conceptually and appeals to an exceptionally large and diverse readership. Comparative revisionist studies of the military revolution and RMA better enable us to comprehend the historical continuum and reveal the new RMA for what it is. And for what it is shortly to become. This book presents original contributions within the "epicentre" of the military revolution debate, the 1500s, with an emphasis on gunpowder revolution (offensively and defensively). The connections with the Revolution in Military Affairs are then made explicit by scholars, a practitioner, and an analyst, with an emphasis on airborne lethal autonomous weapons systems. This is a chronologically broad and unique methodological approach to a historical debate that begs for clarification as we enter an era where killer robots will almost certainly take from humans their monopoly on violence.
The Renaissance was a revolution of ideas, arts and sciences alike, with Italy at its center. Venice was among the first states to embrace new concepts in fortification, which would dominate military architecture for centuries. In the age of large galley fleets and an expanding Ottoman Empire, the mighty defenses of the Republic of Venice protected faraway territories in the Mediterranean, and some of the largest and best preserved Renaissance fortifications are found on the former Venetian islands. This book illustrates in detail the impressive defenses of Cyprus, Crete and Corfu, their design and their war record. Walled towns and fortresses were constructed to the latest standards of military technology, with walls capable of withstanding the largest armies and the longest sieges, including the longest in history--22 years.
The Rough Guide to Greece has been the definitive guidebook to the country. With user-friendly accommodation and eating reviews, crystal-clear maps, detailed background and a journalistic eye for detail, this is the ideal guide for all your Greece travel needs. Top 5 lists and itineraries will help you plan your route, with insider tips on the best beaches to escape the crowds. You'll discover the choicest resorts from boutique to backpacker, get the low down on island hopping from Corfu to Kos and read expert background on everything from Homer to hiking.
Make the most of your trip to Greece with the eBook version of the Green Guide Greece by Michelin. Scout out the best attractions with Michelin's famed star-rating system from the theater ruins at Dodona to the Acropolis at Athens. Explore the Cyclades coastline by sea or walk to the top of Mount Zeus. Whether it’s shopping for local produce, or eating baklava at a taverna, Green Guide Greece is the oracle with its dedicated address book, expertly researched features, suggested walking and driving tours, color photos and detailed maps.
Find your perfect island getaway with the most incisive and entertaining guidebook on the market. Whether you plan to island-hop around the Cyclades, explore Crete's classical sightsor find peace and quiet on Alónissos, The Rough Guide to the Greek Islands will show you the ideal places to sleep, eat, drink, shop and visit along the way. - Independent, trusted reviews written with Rough Guides' trademark blend of humour, honesty and insight, to help you get the most out of your visit, with options to suit every budget. - Full-colour maps throughout - navigate the cobbled streets of Rhodes Old Town or plan a hiking route on Níssyros without needing to get online. - Stunning images - a rich collection of inspiring colour photography. - Things not to miss - Rough Guides' rundown of the Greek Islands' best sights and experiences. - Itineraries - carefully planned routes to help you organize your trip. - Detailed regional coverage - whether off the beaten track or in more mainstream tourist destinations, this travel guide has in-depth practical advice for every step of the way. Areas covered include: Athens and the mainland ports, the Argo-Saronic Islands, the Cyclades, Crete, the Dodecanese, the East and North Aegean islands, the Sporades and Évvia, the Ionian Islands. Attractions include: the Acropolis, Knossós Palace (Crete), Kálymnos cliffs, Delos (Cyclades), Church of Ekatondapylianí (Páros), Samariá Gorge (Crete), Ólymbos village (Kárpathos), Shipwreck Bay (Zákynthos), Melissáni Cave (Kefaloniá), Monastery of St John (Pátmos), Sými harbour, and many more. - Basics - essential pre-departure practical information including getting there, local transport, accommodation, food and drink, health, the media, festivals, sports and outdoor activities, culture and etiquette, shopping and more. - Background information - a Contexts chapter devoted to history, archeology, wildlife, music and books, plus a handy language section and glossary, Make the Most of Your Time on Earth with The Rough Guide to the Greek Islands
First published in 1953, this book presents a description of 16 of the larger medieval fortresses in the Peloponnese, occupied by the Venetians between 1685 and 1715. It is also a beautifully written celebration of some of Greece's most striking, but also least studied, architectural monuments, inspired by a unique collection of 17th-century fortification plans (the Grimani codex) preserved in the Gennadius Library of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens. The author first saw the plans in 1948 and devoted the next four years of his life to a historical and archaeological investigation of the castles they depicted. At a time when most of the students at the American School were studying the classics, his interest in later Greek history was pioneering. He not only searched out hundreds of obscure documentary sources but also made a point of visiting, and personally describing and photographing, every castle. This was not an easy thing to do at the tail end of the Greek Civil War. The final publication was an instant classic, marked out by its evocative prose and Andrews's obvious fascination with the subject. The book has been long out of print. This new edition presents Andrews's original text with a new introduction which sets the work in context and discusses some of the developments in Greek castle studies since the 1950s. The Grimani maps, originally printed only in black and white, are now presented in their original colors.
