The Ancient Greeks (Elite) (Paperback)

by Nicholas Sekunda (Author), Angus McBride (Illustrator) "The subject of this book is Greek warfare in the Classical Period, which stretches from the Greek victories over the Persian Empire at the beginning..." (more)
Key Phrases: shield device, cavalry spear, hoplite shield, National Museum, Boeotian League, British Museum (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The cradle of western civilisation, the ancient Greek world, consisted of a series of independent city states some of which, such as Athens and Sparta, became major world powers. This authoritative volume by Nicholas Sekunda covers Greek warfare in the Classical Period, which stretches from the Greek victories over the Persian Empire to the death of Alexander the Great at the end of the 4th century. The book includes such famous battles such as Marathon, Thermopylae and Salamis and offers a detailed account of Greek military dress during this period, supported by 12 full colour plates by Angus McBride.

Language Notes
Text: English, French, German

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Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (May 22, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 085045686X
• ISBN-13: 978-0850456868
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.1 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #557,089 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great study of the famous warriors of the Classical Period, April 2, 2002

By	Eduardo J. Tellez A (Managua, Nicaragua) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As always Osprey may a nice contribution to anyone intEresting in the Ancient Warfare of the Greeks, this books is not a deep look or study of the famous Hoplites or armies of ancient times but it could be use as a nice introduction to a really hard subject.

This was the first book I bought from Nick Sekunda and I was not disappointed, after reading this title I decide to buy other from the same author and follow the recommendations he made of other works that would really help you. The Author use the Plates of the one of the best historical illustrators Angus McBride to traces the development of Greek warfare throughout the classical period and offers a detailed account of Greek military dress during this famous period.

This book provides a unique and practical perspective on dificult theme in military history with wonderfully descriptive illustrations, to tell you the true I see this title as an invaluable resource for historians, if you are into Military History you should add this book to your shelves.

Look for other titles of Nick Sekunda of the Greece Armies and the Classical period but to understand more of this subject the books of Peter Connolly on "GREECE AND ROME AT WAR" and John Gibson Warry "Warfare in the Classical World: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Weapons,Warriors and Warfare in the Ancient Civilisations of Greece and Rome" but for me the best study since it appear for the first time on 1967 but is still the principal comprehensive work on this subject is "Arms and Armor of the Greeks" by Anthony M. Snodgrass, without forgeting the recent work "The Wars of the Ancient Greeks" by Victor Davis Hanson.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Greeks, April 10, 2007

By	K. Murphy "Fortune favors the Bold" (The thriving metropolis of Masury, OH) - See all my reviews

Most of the text of this book is actually the plate commentary. Both the text and the plates themselves naturally focus mostly on hopltes, but several forms of light infantry, as well as cavalry, civilians, and Thracian barbarians are all depicted as well. The McBride plates, of which there are 12, are awesome as usual.

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wanted More Armor Illustrations, February 12, 2000

By	Dean M. Motoyama - See all my reviews

Although the text was well written (and researched), and McBride's artwork flawless as usual, I was somewhat disappointed & bored with the similar themes of the color plates. Would have liked to have seen more illustrations of various types of body armor.