Exploratio: Military & Political Intelligence in the Roman World from the Second Punic War to the Battle of Adrianople [Paperback]

N. J. E. Austin (Author), N. B. Rankov (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0415183014 | ISBN-13: 978-0415183017 | Publication Date: February 22, 1998 | Edition: New edition

Exploratio is the first ever survey of Roman military and civil intelligence. The authors examine in detail the operation and gradual development of Roman intelligence-gathering from shaky beginnings to a high level of excellence. They identify who gathered it, and for whom.
This study shows the effects of intelligence on policy formation at various levels from the purely local through to the global. The consequences of various instances of the mishandling of information are uncovered. Austin and Rankov also demonstrate that intelligence gathering was not necessarily directed from Rome, but had for practical reasons to be carried out and processed on the frontiers themselves.
Exploratio is important reading for all students and teachers of Roman history. It will also appeal to those with a general interest in military or diplomatic history.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Austin and Rankov have done an admirable job in filling a serious gap in the study of Roman history: a comprehensive study of how Roman intelligence worked.' - Bryn Mawr Classical Review

'Through the evidence of literary and epigraphic material, the authors make this a fascinating and readable discussion of the more shadowy parts of the Roman bureaucracy.' - Book News

'Exploratio considers six centuries of Roman military and political intelligence, based on the literary and epigraphic evidence, with exemplary care and in meticulous detail.' - Greece & Rome

'In an age when the humanities and Classics so often follow models borrowed from other branches of study, it will be comforting to note that anciant historians have produced a serious work in a generally neglected field. ... Austin and Rankov... in spite of the pausity of the available sources, they have succeeded in producing an interesting, professional, and comprehensive piece of work. - Journal of Hellenic Studies vol 118 98

About the Author

N. J .E. Austin is Senior Lecturer in Classics at Massey University, New Zealand. N. B. Rankov is Lecturer in Classics and Ancient History at Royal Holloway, University of London.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; New edition edition (February 22, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415183014
• ISBN-13: 978-0415183017
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,684,143 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exploratio, Military and Political Intelligence in the Roman, April 16, 2000

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Caius Fabius "caiusfabius" (Oklahoma United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Exploratio: Military & Political Intelligence in the Roman World from the Second Punic War to the Battle of Adrianople (Paperback)

This is a wonderful technical work. The scholarship and research are well translated into a reference work for the military historian. The intelligence operatives and methods of Rome are something that have long deserved a work of this detail and scope.