The Great Armies of Antiquity


Product Description
Gabriel examines 18 ancient army systems, examining the organizational structure and weapons employed and the degree to which cultural values and imperatives shaped the form and application of military force. The tactical doctrines and specific operational capabilities of each army are analyzed to explain how certain technical limitations and societal/cultural imperatives affected the operational capabilities of ancient armies. Cross-cultural and cross-historical connections ground the analysis in the larger historical context of the ancient world.
� �Sumer and Akkad
•The Armies of the Pharaohs
��The Hittites
�The Mitanni
� Armies of the Bible
� The Iron Army of Assyria
� �Chinese Armies
��Persia and the Art of Logistics
��The Greeks
� Carthaginian Armies
� Armies of India
��Rome
� �The Iberians, Celts, Germans, and Goths
��The Army of Byzantium
� �The Vikings
•The Arab Armies
� The Japanese Way of War
� The Mongols
The Ottomans
This book also provides an introductory overview of war in the ancient world, from 2500 B.C.E. to 1453 C.E., as well as an examination of the evolution of modern warfare from 1453 to 2002 C.E.
</p>The Great Armies of Antiquity Review
This is the third volume of a trilogy. The first two installments were "Great Battles of Antiquity" and "Great Captains of Antiquity". If the first two volumes were as good as this one, the three books constitute an excellent but expensive reference work for pre-gunpowder military history.Gabriel begins with the earliest armies of the Ancient Near East and exhaustively studies the armed forces of almost every significant military power of ancient and medieval times. He lays out the armament, logistics, organization and command structure, strategic and tactical doctrines, innovations, and political basis for each of these armies. Gabriel makes a strong case for the proposition that the only area in which we exceed our ancestors is that of technology. I was impressed by how much of what we think to be modern is of truly ancient vintage.As good as the work was, I do have a few critiques: Gabriel made extensive reference to military depictions in ancient sculpture. Weaponry was described in great detail. No photographs or other adequate illustrations of either appeared anywhere in the book. The line drawings which were included did little to enlighten the reader. The work would have benefitted greatly from the employment of a qualified proofreader. Typographical errors abounded, but they were not sufficiently egregious that the reader couldn't cipher out what the author was trying to say. As good as it was, I'm not sure the book was worth the extravagant price. The best thing that can be said for the price is that "Great Armies" is the most inexpensive volume of the trilogy. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews� Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Report abuse | PermalinkComment CommentMost of the consumer Reviews tell that the "The Great Armies of Antiquity" are high quality item. You can read each testimony from consumers to find out cons and pros from The Great Armies of Antiquity ...

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