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Available
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Collection
Publication
Cassell military (2003), Paperback
Description
The struggle between Rome and Carthage in the Punic Wars was arguably the greatest and most desperate conflict of antiquity. The forces involved and the casualties suffered by both sides were far greater than in any wars fought before the modern era, while the eventual outcome had far-reaching consequences for the history of the Western World, namely the ascendancy of Rome. An epic of war and battle, this is also the story of famous generals and leaders: Hannibal, Fabius Maximus, Scipio Africanus, and his grandson Scipio Aemilianus, who would finally bring down the walls of Carthage.
Media reviews
Goldsworty är oerhört kunnig, och han skriver klart, redigt och ger en levande skildring av krigen.
User reviews
LibraryThing member latinteacher
I've had enough of the word "whilst." I've never really read military history before. I'm teaching a Nepos unit (Hannibal) this term and wanted some solid basic knowledge of customs and routines, as well as specifics on battles and geography. This book has provided all of that. It's not as good as
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anything Anthony Everitt (Cicero, Augustus) has written, but not many out there are. Show Less
LibraryThing member nmele
This detailed history of the conflict between Rome and Carthage is very well written. Goldsworthy helps the reader keep all the battles and commanders straight, and the story is sweeping and dramatic. Favorite quote: "The Romans expected a war to end in total victory or their own annihilation."
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Hmmm. Show Less
LibraryThing member Miro
Adrain Goldsworthy has a talent for combining excellent scholarship with readability to provide, in this reviewers opinion, some the best history writing about the Ancient World.
His "Caesar, life of a Colossus" is a masterpiece and this book shows the same characteristics with a detailed account of
From the Carthaginian viewpoint it was a story of great successes with eventual failure and Goldsworthy shows in some detail how the years of Carthaginian campaigning in Spain forged the most experienced and capable army in the Ancient world. This was the army that Hannibal led across the Alps and used to inflict massive defeats on the Romans legions at Lake Trasimene and Cannae.
The account shows that in the context of ancient warfare, the Carthaginians could have reasonably expected the defeated Romans to come to terms and end the fighting but they didn't, and the reasons for this refusal form the fascinating explanatory core of the book.
Both armies incorporated allies but the Romans consistently received more loyalty, which Goldsworthy connects to the willingness of the Romans to extend citizenship and rights to defeated cities - an unheard of idea in the Ancient World - in return for providing soldiers. As an example, some citizens of defeated Campania were incorporated in the Roman élite and the Romans could consistently field larger armies.
The character if Roman government showed a high level of stability. I t consisted of the Consuls (two of them appointed for 1 year - a sort of temporary monarchy), the Senate (aristocracy) and the Popular Assembly (Democratic), which the Greek historian Polybius suggested was the natural condition of a civilized society, with each part balancing the power of the others. The senate was highly identified with the state, contributing their wealth to building armies and fleets (in contrast to the Carthaginian aristocracy) seeking to build respect and a reputation for virtus for their family through the generations. As the author says, "The Roman electorate knew what to expect from a Claudius or a Fabius....".
An equally interesting part of the book deals with the new Imperial Rome that grew out of the ruins of Carthage. Romans increasingly believed that success was their due simply because they were Romans, army training, discipline and leadership declined as the aristocracy faded with growing populism, out of control corruption and special interests taking over society with growing debt and currency debasement.
Rather like Imperial USA after 1945.
His "Caesar, life of a Colossus" is a masterpiece and this book shows the same characteristics with a detailed account of
Show More
the Punic Wars with valuable insight into the reasons for the eventual Roman triumph and Carthaginian defeat.From the Carthaginian viewpoint it was a story of great successes with eventual failure and Goldsworthy shows in some detail how the years of Carthaginian campaigning in Spain forged the most experienced and capable army in the Ancient world. This was the army that Hannibal led across the Alps and used to inflict massive defeats on the Romans legions at Lake Trasimene and Cannae.
The account shows that in the context of ancient warfare, the Carthaginians could have reasonably expected the defeated Romans to come to terms and end the fighting but they didn't, and the reasons for this refusal form the fascinating explanatory core of the book.
Both armies incorporated allies but the Romans consistently received more loyalty, which Goldsworthy connects to the willingness of the Romans to extend citizenship and rights to defeated cities - an unheard of idea in the Ancient World - in return for providing soldiers. As an example, some citizens of defeated Campania were incorporated in the Roman élite and the Romans could consistently field larger armies.
The character if Roman government showed a high level of stability. I t consisted of the Consuls (two of them appointed for 1 year - a sort of temporary monarchy), the Senate (aristocracy) and the Popular Assembly (Democratic), which the Greek historian Polybius suggested was the natural condition of a civilized society, with each part balancing the power of the others. The senate was highly identified with the state, contributing their wealth to building armies and fleets (in contrast to the Carthaginian aristocracy) seeking to build respect and a reputation for virtus for their family through the generations. As the author says, "The Roman electorate knew what to expect from a Claudius or a Fabius....".
An equally interesting part of the book deals with the new Imperial Rome that grew out of the ruins of Carthage. Romans increasingly believed that success was their due simply because they were Romans, army training, discipline and leadership declined as the aristocracy faded with growing populism, out of control corruption and special interests taking over society with growing debt and currency debasement.
Rather like Imperial USA after 1945.
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LibraryThing member zen_923
This book is a good introduction to the history of the Punic Wars. It's well-researched and is easy to read. The author did a good job of simplifying the narration of the events, so as to make the reader understand easily. The downside to this book however, is that it involves three wars, with so
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many events and so many characters that sometimes, the reader will have trouble catching up. I personally keep on flipping the pages, making sure that the author was referring to the same character or a different character with the same name. Show Less
LibraryThing member gmicksmith
This first-rate historian addresses the biggest rival to Roman power in the Western Mediterranean.
LibraryThing member la2bkk
This book is another example of why Adrian Goldsworthy is my favorite historian.
Mr. Goldsworthy does a masterful job of providing just enough information regarding the necessary context to appreciate the causes, effects and long-term ramifications of each of the three Punic Wars. While an expert in
As always, Goldsworthy avoids any ideology, and finds the perfect middle ground between naively relying on the ancient sources on the one hand and questioning essentially everything on the other.
A highly recommended book for both the novice and more informed. I consider this his second-best work beside his opus on Caesar.
Mr. Goldsworthy does a masterful job of providing just enough information regarding the necessary context to appreciate the causes, effects and long-term ramifications of each of the three Punic Wars. While an expert in
Show More
military history, he does not get bogged down on the minutia of each battle. Instead, he provides succinct analyses of the sources to keep the narrative flowing in an understandable and interesting way.As always, Goldsworthy avoids any ideology, and finds the perfect middle ground between naively relying on the ancient sources on the one hand and questioning essentially everything on the other.
A highly recommended book for both the novice and more informed. I consider this his second-best work beside his opus on Caesar.
Show Less
Subjects
Language
Original publication date
2000
Physical description
416 p.; 7.7 inches
ISBN
0304366420 / 9780304366422
UPC
978030436642