Greek and Roman Siege Machinery 399 BC-AD 363 (New Vanguard) [Paperback]

Duncan Campbell (Author), Brian Delf (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: New Vanguard | Publication Date: June 20, 2003

Siege machinery first appeared in the West during the Carthaginian invasion of Sicily in the late-5th century BC, in the form of siege towers and battering rams. After a 50-year hiatus these weapons of war re-appeared in the Macedonian armies of Philip II and Alexander the Great, a period that saw the height of their development in the Ancient World. The experience of warfare with both the Carthaginians during the later-3rd century BC, and Philip V of Macedon during the early-2nd century BC, finally prompted the introduction of the siege tower and the battering ram to the Roman arsenal. This title traces the development and use of these weapons across the whole of this period.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

The unrivalled illustrated reference on fighting vehicles, transport and artillery through the ages. Each volume is illustrated throughout, making these books uniquely accessible to history enthusiasts of all ages.

About the Author

Dr Duncan B Campbell is a specialist in ancient Greek and Roman warfare. He published his first paper in 1984, as an undergraduate at Glasgow University, and produced a complete re-assessment of Roman siegecraft for his Ph.D. Over the years, his work has appeared in several international journals. He lives near the Antonine Wall in Scotland with his wife and son.

Product Details

• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (June 20, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841766054
• ISBN-13: 978-1841766058
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 0.2 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,195,495 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not a bad 48 page introduction to the topic..., September 23, 2009

By 

Yoda (Hadera, Israel) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Greek and Roman Siege Machinery 399 BC-AD 363 (New Vanguard) (Paperback)

This book provides a brief (48 pages, about half of which are illustration) introduction to the topic. The book provides an exposition into only those siege machines that were mentioned explicitely in the literature of antiquity. The siege machines are broken down into 5 categories, wheeled towers, tortoise sheds (basically armored cupolas intended to provide cover to those filling or digging ditches or undermining fortifications) and ancillary machines (mostly intended to undermine walls). The emphasis is on Greek siege machines but the discussion on Roman primarily emphasizes the simpler, more practical engineering used by the Romans as well as the extensive associated use of earthen ramps used by the Romans for their siege towers.

The book discribes the machines as the ancient writers described them, provides interpreations of these writings by numerous historians and then provides his own interpretation on what these machines looked like and how they were built and functioned. Very well illustrated. A very good introduction to those with only about an hour to spend and with an interest in engineering.