The Ancient World at War

by Philip de Souza (Editor)

A global history of ancient warfare, covering Egypt, the Near East, Greece, Rome, Central Asia, India, China, Korea, Japan, and the Americas.

In this new survey of ancient warfare, a group of distinguished historians and archaeologists discusses major battles and wars from around the world. The book ranges in time from 8000 BC and the earliest evidence of warfare in northern Iraq to the armies of the Aztecs and Incas half a millennium ago, and includes Alexander the Great's triumphant campaigns against Persia in the fourth century BC, Caesar's Gallic Wars, the Han Chinese defeat of the nomadic Xiongnu horsemen, and the Inca ruler Atahualpa's last stand against Pizarro.

The authors combine descriptions of the course of military events with expert analyses and explanations of the underlying social, economic, and cultural factors that shaped ancient warfare. Their essays survey the evolution of armies, tactics, and military equipment, from the strategic mastery evident in an early Chinese treatise on war by Sunzi to the rise of the Greek hoplite warrior and the development of swords and armor in ancient Japan.

Special features cover key battles such as Qadesh, Issus, and Cannae; weaponry from shields to artillery; and visual resources such as Trajan's Column and the Terracotta Army. The rich illustrative material includes photographs, drawings, and specially commissioned 3-D battle reconstructions, maps, and plans. 351 illustrations, 150 in color.
Contributions Elizabeth Arkush • Gina Barnes • Brian S. Bauer • Daniel Boatright • Robin Coningham • Jon Coulston • Hugh Elton • R. Brian Ferguson • Ross Hassig • Mark Manuel • Alan Peatfield • Charles A. Peterson • David Potter • Louis Rawlings • Nathan Rosenstein • Nicholas Sekunda • Ian Shaw • Joe Szymczak • Nigel Tallis • Hans van Wees

Genres: History, Nonfiction, War, Ancient, World History, Ancient History

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Dr. Philip de Souza is a Dublin-based academic author and historian and has written widely on warfare and conflict in the Ancient World. He is a lecturer in the School of Classics at University College Dublin.

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fairly interesting overview of ancient warfare on a multi-regional scale; not quite global, as there are some areas that are not covered (largely because of lack of evidence). As might be expected, the "classical" Western societies of Greece and Rome, as well as the Near East/Persia dominate the coverage. Tactical maps are interesting but suffer from some errors (in one case reversing the red/blue assignments for the opposing sides). A good but not great treatment; worth reading as a gateway to more specific information.

[Tonya T · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is an ambitious and richly detailed survey of warfare across ancient civilizations. What makes this volume particularly impressive is its global scope: rather than focusing solely on the familiar battlefields of Greece and Rome, it spans ancient Egypt, the Near East, Central Asia, India, China, Japan, and even the Americas.

The Ancient World at War is a strong and highly informative reference for anyone interested in how war shaped ancient societies around the world. It doesn’t just glorify battles, it asks why war matters, how it worked, and what it meant for different civilizations. For readers seeking a global perspective on ancient military history, this book is a compelling pick.

[Leona]

Looking forward to grazing through this book that is a catalog of war in the ancient world, including the Americas.

[Jennifer]

Military - General