Ancient Warfare: The Basics

Ancient Warfare: The Basics offers an engaging introduction to warfare in the ancient Mediterranean World from the mythical Trojan War, through the rise of hoplites and conquests of Alexander the Great to Roman hegemony and the Arab conquests of western Asia.

This volume explores warfare in the ancient Mediterranean through art, literature, and archaeological evidence and covers a vast geographical area stretching from northern Europe to western Asia. After an introduction discussing the Trojan War, chapters explore warfare in ancient Greece from the Archaic to the Hellenistic period before shifting to the Persian army and the rise of Macedon. Whately then moves to Roman warfare, covering Rome’s naval prowess, its wars against rebels and aggressors and its expansion in the east, exploring how Rome’s way of war changed in the Late Antique period. The rise of the Huns, horse archery, and the last great war of antiquity – Rome versus Persia in the seventh century CE – close out the book.

This concise, accessible guide to ancient warfare is suitable for undergraduate and postgraduate students in Classics and ancient history as well as scholars and general readers interested in warfare in the pre-modern world.

Conor Whately is a professor of Classics at the University of Winnipeg. He has published a number of journal articles, book chapters, and books on topics ranging from the Roman frontiers and late antique historiography to Roman Arabia.