Greece and Rome at War (Hardcover)

by Peter Connolly (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
350 + color illustrations 38 maps 8 x 12 Revised edition incorporating new archeological research Breathtaking analysis of twelve centuries of warfare In this new and revised edition, Peter Connolly combines a detailed account of the arms and armies of Greece and Rome with his superb, full-color artwork. Making use of fresh archeological evidence and new material on the manufacture and use of weapons, the author presents sumptuous color illustrations recognized as the best and most accurate of their kind. Chapters cover organization, tactics, armor and weapons, fortifications, and much more. The armies of Greece, Macedon, and Rome are brought vividly to life. Chapters on the wars between the Romans and Hannibal lucidly demonstrate the face of battle in ancient times. Peter Connolly is renowned for both his scholarship of the ancient world and his skill as an illustrator. He is the author and illustrator of The Greek Armies, The Roman Army, The Roman Cavalryman, and The Ancient City.

About the Author

Peter Connolly is renowned for his scholarship of the ancient world as well as being a highly respected artist.  He is the author of The Greek Armies, The Roman Army, The Roman Cavalry and The Ancient City.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Greenhill Books; New Edition edition (January 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 185367303X
• ISBN-13: 978-1853673030
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #532,235 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely the first book you should buy on ancient wafare, June 26, 2001

By	Aaron Larsen (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania United States) - See all my reviews

Why do I say this? First of all, it's very readable and approachable. Even kids will love it. (OK, admittedly, few will read it cover-to-cover, but that's hardly the point. DON'T be surprised if they do, though. In spite of its density and scholarship, I've known a few lads who've mined seemingly every page.) The pictures in it are absolutley wonderful, as well. Connolly is an excellent illustrator, and his pictures are still unsurpassed. (Incidently, Connolly put out some excellent children's books as well, some of which are still in print.) For the older reader, though, Connolly is still a must-have. He knows the archaeology as well as anyone. What makes him unique is that he's enough of a craftsman to go out and try to make these things so that he could get a feel for how they were used. Thus, his attempt at re-creating a Roman shield found in Egypt caused him to create a revolutionary theory for how the legions fought in the republican period. Likewise, his reproduction of a Greek hoplite shield led him to modify his understanding of how the Greek and Macedonian phalanx differed. Further, while most books before him concentrated heavily on the "ideals" (i.e., the fully developed Roman legion or Macedonian phalanx), Connolly took some time to spin some theories on the transition phases through which these things developed. Thus, for example, he spins a novel theory on how the Macedonian phalanx developed out of the Theban tactics of Epanimondas and that the odd-shaped "boetian" shield was a part of this development. All of this is not to say that he is an unquestionable authority on such matters where we are bumping up against the available data and controversy results. Nevertheless, Connolly is a wonderful teacher in those areas where consensus reigns and an important voice to take into account even where he may be controversial.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well done, September 23, 2004

By	C. Falzone "Imperator" (San Jose, ca United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Excellent image/pictures, graphics and text to go with it. Connolly has managed to take an overwhelming subject and hit just the right points for novice as well as expert. For the novice, concise but detailed explanations on a huge range of subjects; from pitching camp on the march, to type of cloak worn underneath a legionnaire's cuirass. For the expert, not often seen or described details regards Camp minutia. Fluid writing, detailed graphics to compliment the text. Well worth the price.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Primer on all things Greek and Roman, July 12, 2004

By	Patrick Rivette (Evans, GA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is truly an outstanding book that does an excellent job of sketching the advancement of the Greeks and Romans in the Military Art. There are outstanding illustrations that give as accurate a picture as possible of the arms, armor, and tactics of these two dynamic civilizations. Most of us are visual learners and the diagrams of the warriors, equipment, and formations of this period helps one to visualize the Greek phalanx or the Roman cohort in the attack and what were their strengths and weaknesses. There are also outstanding illustrations of siege equiment, ships, and fortications. I must confess that this book helped to inspire me to write the novel, The Chief Centurion, as I was able to picture in my mind much clearer what that soldier looked like and what it must have been like to have had to march and fight in the armor of the period. I strongly reccommend this book for anyone who wants to learn more about the Greek or Roman soldier and wants to be able to visualize how he looked and fought.