Customer Reviews

Scipio Africanus

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This quote from The Bryn Mawr Classical Review says it all:

"Unfortunately, in the end, A.'s biography cannot be recommended either for the general reader or for the student of ancient history. On the one hand, the general reader will not find enough (accurate) background information in order to understand Scipio's place in this crucial era of the res publica.

On the other hand, the student of ancient history will sorely miss the absence of any extended and thoughtful treatment of the difficult source material. Furthermore, the bibliography is far too incomplete,6 and minor errors abound, both typographical7 and factual8.

Although a modern treatment of Scipio, perhaps the most important general in Roman history, is badly needed, the replacement for Scullard's biography remains to be written."

I am still reading this book. Nevertheless, I can recommend it whole heartedly. It is scholarly yet easy to read. It brings to life Scipio, a character I always found fascinating, but about which I could find little - until now! To sum up - erudite and a good read.

P.S. Being able to read the first page on Amazon persuaded me to purchase this book and the rest of it has lived up to that page.Scipio Africanus