Synopses & Reviews
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.
Review
[A]n interesting and readable study of the world's great armies in the ancient world....Readers very interested in military history will find this volume excellent....Recommended. All libraries and levels.Choice
Review
[A] fascinating and superbly presented documentary showcasing eighteen ancient army systems ranging from Sumer and Akkad, to the Pharaohs, the Greeks, the Mongols, and Japanese....A fact-filled, strictly logical analysis packed with amazing military history and insights from the ancient world, The Great Armies of Antiquity is a seminal and inherently fascinating history. Also very highly recommended is Professor Gabriel's early work: Great Captains of Antiquity.The Midwest Book Review
Synopsis
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. BLSumer and Akkad BLThe Armies of the Pharaohs BLThe Hittites BLThe Mitanni BLArmies of the Bible BLThe Iron Army of Assyria BLChinese Armies BLPersia and the Art of Logistics BLThe Greeks BLCarthaginian Armies BLArmies of India BLRome BLThe Iberians, Celts, Germans, and Goths BLThe Army of Byzantium BLThe Vikings BLThe Arab Armies BLThe Japanese Way of War BLThe Mongols BLThe 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.
About the Author
RICHARD A. GABRIEL is a military historian and Adjunct Professor of Humanities and Ethics at Daniel Webster College. His most recent book is Great Captains of Antiquity (Greenwood, 2000).
Table of Contents
Foreword
Preface
War in the Ancient World
The World's First Armies, Sumer, and Akkad
The Armies of the Pharaohs
The Hittites and Iron Weapons
The Mitanni and the War Chariot
The Armies of the Bible
The Iron Army of Assyria
Chinese Armies: The Shang and Zhou Periods
Persia and the Art of Logistics
The Greek Way of War: Classical and Imperial Periods
Carthaginian Armies
Armies of India: Vedic and Imperial Periods
Rome: The Armies of the Caesars
Barbarian Armies: Iberians, Gauls, Germans, and Goths
The Army of Byzantium
The Vikings: Raiders from the Open Sea
The Arab Armies
The Japanese Way of War
The Mongols
The Ottomans
The Evolution of Modern War
Bibliography
Index