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Osprey Men at Arms #360
The Thracians 700 BC–AD 46
Throughout the three centuries before Christ many hundreds of thousands of Thracians, in more than 40 tribes, occupied the area between northern Greece, southern Russia and north-west Turkey. Skilled horsemen, masters of light infantry fighting in broken terrain, and renowned for their ferocity, the Thracians were feared by even the greatest of their contemporaries, who were eager to employ them as mercenaries. After surviving invasions by the Persians, Greeks, Macedonians and Celts, the Thracians were finally conquered by Rome in AD 46. This concise but lavishly illustrated study of their history and material culture includes the results of the latest archaeological research, notably some remarkable tomb paintings.
48 pages, Paperback
First published September 25, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 23, 2023
THE THRACIANS 700 BC - AD 46 is the story of a wild race of people who lived in the area between northern Greece, southern Russia, and north-western Turkey. Although they may have numbered some one million souls they were never united and their 40 tribes often fought amongst themselves. The ones that lived in the flat lands were skilled warriors on horseback while the mountain folk were just skilled warriors. Unlike many ancient armies, these tribal warriors often marched and fought at night.
They were considered bloodthirsty savages because they had no written language, they only had one city to speak of, and seemed to thrive on cruelty in warfare. Although often hired out as mercenaries, they would switch sides if the price was right. Alexander used them in his most famous victories and in spite of their small numbers they were an important part of his army. These were also the troops that were used when the massacre of prisoners and captives was called for.
Like all ancient people, they could be recognized by their dress and choice of weapons. Artifacts are often found today in parts of Romania and Bulgaria. Paintings of these people are also portrayed on Greek pottery.
Because they were always fighting each other and Rome was sought as an ally, they were all eventually conquered by the Romans. I suppose there is a lesson there.
Plenty of illustrations are included as well as a map of their territories.
This is a good reference for those interested in the era or their ancient history.
I can't imagine some of my Goodreads friends being so scary had they lived 2,000 year ago.
They were considered bloodthirsty savages because they had no written language, they only had one city to speak of, and seemed to thrive on cruelty in warfare. Although often hired out as mercenaries, they would switch sides if the price was right. Alexander used them in his most famous victories and in spite of their small numbers they were an important part of his army. These were also the troops that were used when the massacre of prisoners and captives was called for.
Like all ancient people, they could be recognized by their dress and choice of weapons. Artifacts are often found today in parts of Romania and Bulgaria. Paintings of these people are also portrayed on Greek pottery.
Because they were always fighting each other and Rome was sought as an ally, they were all eventually conquered by the Romans. I suppose there is a lesson there.
Plenty of illustrations are included as well as a map of their territories.
This is a good reference for those interested in the era or their ancient history.
I can't imagine some of my Goodreads friends being so scary had they lived 2,000 year ago.
March 31, 2016
Another excellent title in the series. The Thracians are often discounted as light troops auxiliary to their more famous Greek hoplite or Macedonian phalangite colleagues. The truth is, of course, far more complex, and Webber tackles it with a thoroughness that will delight as well as inform. Essential reading for anyone seeking to see the full combined-arms picture of the early Iron Age.
May 6, 2025
Webber manages to bring the best introduction to the Thracians I’ve read so far. In just a few hours you’ll get an immense amount of information on how the Thracians interacted with their neighbors and how influent (and influenced) they were on many “main events” of ancient history.
The author provides excellent information regarding Thracian tribes, culture, some specificities from several tribes, the main differences between the northern tribes (more influenced by Skythians) and the southern ones (more Greek).
The weapons, armour, horse dressing and troop types are very well covered including the peltast with their famous shields that named them, the cavalry and horses that brought fame to Thrace, their feared Rhomphais, Machairas and Sicas, among many other details that fill this wonderful little book.
There is a couple of huge mistakes though: Mardonius was wounded by Thracians BEFORE the invasion of Greece, not after the defeat at Plateia. There is also a plate that shows a Thracian peltast based in the Kazanluk tomb from the 4th-3rd Century BC in a context of the Thracian revolt against Rome in 26 of the 1st century AD! I know that sometimes dress and equipment styles lasted quite some time, but that image is hugely anachronistic. The provided author’s website link with the complete bibliography and further material is broken but the author has a personal page with considerable information; you can search it by home.exetel.com.au/thrace/images/welc.... Although this page it hasn’t been updated for several years.
The pictures of artifacts are immensely useful showing important archeological military finds in Thracian territory. The excellent line drawings by Johnny Shumate e Daniella Carlsson provide clear images of reconstructions of horse dressing, arms and armor. But the main event are the magnificent plates by the talented late Angus McBride, which include The Invasion of Macedonia by King Sitalkes, 429 BC; another plate portraying riders from the Getai in that same invasion; Attack on a Triballi Hill fort in 424 BC; two plates portraying sequencing moments during a Thyni night attack in 400 BC including infantry and cavalry actions; Two images of the Kallinikos skirmish, including the cavalry charge by King Kotys and the returning victorious Thracian infantry warriors (including one with a head stuck in the Rhomphaia; The Thracian revolt, AD 26 illustrating a Romano-Thracian cavalryman chasing Odrysian foes.
The author provides excellent information regarding Thracian tribes, culture, some specificities from several tribes, the main differences between the northern tribes (more influenced by Skythians) and the southern ones (more Greek).
The weapons, armour, horse dressing and troop types are very well covered including the peltast with their famous shields that named them, the cavalry and horses that brought fame to Thrace, their feared Rhomphais, Machairas and Sicas, among many other details that fill this wonderful little book.
There is a couple of huge mistakes though: Mardonius was wounded by Thracians BEFORE the invasion of Greece, not after the defeat at Plateia. There is also a plate that shows a Thracian peltast based in the Kazanluk tomb from the 4th-3rd Century BC in a context of the Thracian revolt against Rome in 26 of the 1st century AD! I know that sometimes dress and equipment styles lasted quite some time, but that image is hugely anachronistic. The provided author’s website link with the complete bibliography and further material is broken but the author has a personal page with considerable information; you can search it by home.exetel.com.au/thrace/images/welc.... Although this page it hasn’t been updated for several years.
The pictures of artifacts are immensely useful showing important archeological military finds in Thracian territory. The excellent line drawings by Johnny Shumate e Daniella Carlsson provide clear images of reconstructions of horse dressing, arms and armor. But the main event are the magnificent plates by the talented late Angus McBride, which include The Invasion of Macedonia by King Sitalkes, 429 BC; another plate portraying riders from the Getai in that same invasion; Attack on a Triballi Hill fort in 424 BC; two plates portraying sequencing moments during a Thyni night attack in 400 BC including infantry and cavalry actions; Two images of the Kallinikos skirmish, including the cavalry charge by King Kotys and the returning victorious Thracian infantry warriors (including one with a head stuck in the Rhomphaia; The Thracian revolt, AD 26 illustrating a Romano-Thracian cavalryman chasing Odrysian foes.
August 29, 2011
Definitely one of the better offerings by Osprey - a short, but structured coverage of Thracian history, equipment and tactics. I am planning to paint a Tracian army for FoG in near future and this book provided me with the basic information I need for those ubiqutous warriors.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews