Customer Reviews

The Thracians 700 BC-AD 46 (Men-at-Arms)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a good, accessible summary work about the Thracians. It packs a lot into a small package. The plates capture a good range of settings and styles.

On the negative side: I have to agree with the other reviewer about the author quoting negative contemporary stereotypes of Thracians as if they were established fact. As the other reviewer noted, the Thracians did not leave behind written accounts to counterbalance. However, the author would have been better served to point this out to more casual readers.

I will recommend this work enthusiastically, with the caution above about relying too heavily on quotes of other cultures about Thrace.

Excellent introduction to an overlooked people. Masters of all major troop types except heavy infantry, the Thracians were one of Europe's most aggressive warrior peoples, and their mercenary armies got caught up in Classical politics time and again. This book also does a good job of portraying the substantial material wealth of this people. The plates alone are worth the money, being by Angus McBride.

First of all, I have to commend Osprey for issuing this title before they tackled such better known peoples of antiquity as the Etruscans, the Phoenicians and the Hitites. I am sure the publishing of this booklet was due to the great success of the "Thracian Gold" travelling exhibition. It is still a welcome addition of starter kits for anyone interested in military history.
Cristopher Webber's text contains some interesting portions on the dress, armour and tactics of this people - something very difficult to find in a compiled form elsewhere. His historical outline, though, suffers from the same biased attitude that most of the historical sources are soaked in. The ancient Greek and Roman writers considered all non-Greek or non-Roman peoples as "barbarian" (one only has to read their descriptions of the Celts) and their lopsided descriptions of those peoples can hardly be taken at face value - especially if the nation in question had no written language. As a comparison, Osprey's Elite Series "The Huns and the Nomad People" is so much more objective in its treatment of its subject! It is surprising to me that Webber would not incorporate a little critical analysis of the ancient writers, apart from him ommitting such facts as the Thracian origins of Spartacus and the Roman Emperor Maximinus Thrax. I believe a "chronological outline", like some other Osprey titles, would have been more appropriate. For a more detailed information on the history I suggest other books, like Alexander Fol's "Ancient Thrace" - unfortunately a very difficult book to find (I bought mine in Bulgaria).
Angus McBride's illustrations are, of course, some of the best in the Osprey line-up. One thing I cannot understand is why he almost always have to depict the figures in a battle scene, making it difficult to exhibit more detail. I have always assumed that the color plates are an illustration rather than art work (although this doesn't mean they can't be artistic). Once again I would have to refer you to his splendid plate A in the Osprey's "The Greeks". Of course, my last gripe is that this format only allows for a maximum of 3-4 figures per plate - a far cry from the wealth of information in other Osprey titles.

Although some people may complain that this book is just a brief overview (as is usually the case with most Osprey titles), I believe the author was still successful in describing general Thracian history, focusing on such details as their dress, weapons, troop types, and tactics. Color plates are good, showing fine examples of Thracian warriors in their colorful dress. An important book for those interested in ancient warfare, especially wargamers.

This is a great beginers guide to Thrace and the Thracians. It isn't very long but it is full of information and corasponding graphics to let you know exactly what they are talking about. Definatly a great little book. I'll probably pick up more of the Men-at-Arms series of books if they are anytrhing like this one.

The well-written, thorough reviews by other people removes the need for me to describe the contents of this book. As some of the other reviewers rightly note, books on Thrace and the Thracians are hard to come by and/or are out of print. This Osprey title is therefore well worth buying. It's a mine of information when it comes to Thracian arms, armour and troop types, as well as the history of this warlike people.

As is sometimes the case with Osprey titles, the information within is a little frustrating in its vague, or apparently fractured nature. Most of the reason for this, I would think, is due to the lack of surviving information about the Thracians. However, a section on the lives of ordinary Thracians, i.e. in their villages and so on, would have been tremendously informative. (To be fair, these details may not be known. If so, a note to this effect would have helped.)

It should also be noted that the main website referred to, that of the author, is no longer up and running. Another address for it, on the Osprey website, was also incorrect.

Further reading about the Thracians may be found in the volumes Thrace and the Thracians, which I have just ordered, and Ancient Thrace and South Eastern Europe, a Bulgarian book. The price of the latter put me off - for the moment anyway.

Update - summer 2011 - the same author has released the fantastic new volume, The Gods of War, which is much larger than this book,and which supercedes it entirely. Go for it first!

Ben Kane, author of The Forgotten Legion.

A great book about an overlooked people who were great fighters! There is an added bonus as Mr. McBride did the illustrations. Well done!