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The first full-length biography in English of Aspar, the eastern Roman general and statesman, this book explores his central role in the history and politics of the fragmenting Roman Empire in the fifth century. It also considers what his life and career may suggest as to the differing fates of the eastern and western parts of the empire.Taking a chronological approach, Bleeker guides us through what is known of Aspar's life and his changing influence in the eastern Roman army and court. Born and raised in Constantinople, Aspar primarily viewed and presented himself as a Roman general, consul, and senator. Yet he also stood outside the Roman mainstream in two important ways-as a member of the empire's "barbarian" military leadership and as a devout Arian Christian. Early chapters treat his formative military experiences with the Persians, a Roman usurper in Italy, the Vandals in Africa, and the Huns of Attila, while later chapters focus on Aspar's political role in resolving the two imperial succession crises that struck the eastern Roman empire in the mid-fifth century and his extended struggle to control the succession to Leo I.Bleeker builds on earlier studies in three ways. First, previous work has largely concentrated on the role of "barbarian" generals in the western Roman empire, while much less attention has been paid to similar figures (such as Aspar) in the east. Secondly, while important recent work has explored the prevalence of "child-emperors" in the late-fourth and early-fifth centuries, this book suggests a further evolution of the imperial role in the mid-fifth century. Finally, while previous studies of this period have focused on Aspar's late career role in the succession struggles, a full study allows us to see how and why his relations with other key figures within and outside the eastern Roman government changed over the course of his lengthy career.

Catiline's War details the attempt by Lucius Sergius Catilina to overthrow the Roman Republic in 63 BC. The Jugurthine War discusses the war against Jugurtha in Numidia from 112 to 106 BC.

The collection of Pliny's letters is divided into ten books. His career as a young man is described in the earlier letters, which include tributes to notable figures.

The ancient civilizations of Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, plus the Hebrews, Hittites, Persians and the Phoenicians are examined in this well-researched and illustrated history.A comprehensive overview of each country is given; the greatest accomplishments, the societal structure and the religious and cultural life. Firstly there is Egypt's hieroglyphic system of writing, its colossal architectural builds such as the Pyramids of Giza, and its elaborate religious beliefs in the afterlife and honoring the dead. Following this is an examination of ancient Assyria and Babylon; the code of laws implemented by Hammurabi, and the use of cuneiform to write and maintain records. Triumphs of construction, notably the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, are also mentioned alongside the advancements of civic education and early astronomy.Next is the story of the Hebrew people, who founded their lands under the leadership of Moses following their exile from Egypt. The vast religious literature the Hebrews produced is collected in the Holy Bible. The author turns her focus to Ancient Persia, whose military conquests under Cyrus and his descendants changed the face of the ancient world. Finally, we turn to the Phoenicians; a coastal people living on the banks of the Mediterranean, who pioneered seafaring, crafted many of the most ancient artifacts, and created colonies and trading outposts to further their prosperity.

This excellent history of Ancient Greece reveals how day-to-day life was in the capital city of Athens, the Greeks' artistic and cultural achievements, plus its military triumphs.In her well-researched overview of one of the greatest civilizations of antiquity, Dorothy Mills' discusses the different facets of Greek society, together with the defining historical events and attainments. The famous pantheon of Gods, and the establishment of the Olympic games are accompanied by accounts of the colonies in Southern Italy and Asia Minor. Ideas of governance, including its famous system of democracy, are described alongside the civilization's martial prowess: the military of the Greeks introduced dedicated divisions of cavalry and the famous hoplites, and advanced siege warfare.Great heroes and intellectuals are discussed. Examples include Aristotle, a pioneer of legal and ethical philosophy, and Alexander the Great, a military commander who led his forces as far east as India. Finally, Mills' discusses the scientific legacy left by thinkers such as Archimedes, and the towering influence Greece and its ideas had on civilizations which followed.This edition of Mills' history includes a variety of illustrations and photographs. These showcase the architectural and artistic styles of ancient Greece, with iconic buildings such as the Acropolis and the Great Theatre of Epidaurus featured.

This history of Rome begins with the myth of Romulus and Remus, continues through the ages of the kings, the Republic, and the emperors and then concludes with the Empire's fall.Comprehensive and engaging, Dorothy Mills uses her experience as an educator to tell the story of ancient Rome. Her use of sources from antiquity concern both the military conquests and the civilian life of the ancient civilization; we are given a good impression of the artistic, cultural, religious and trading life of Rome in addition to its many famous campaigns and victories over its rivals. The conquests of Carthage, Gaul, Greece and Asia Minor are accompanied by descriptions of Roman society, which viewed itself as a bringer of civilization for the betterment of Europe.The most famous leaders and heroes of the Empire are included, the deeds and accomplishments of Scipio Africanus, Caius Marius, and Julius Caesar vividly recounted. The golden age of Rome under the Emperor Augustus followed a period of upheaval which changed the Roman system of governance from Republic to Empire. With so much power concentrated in the hands of one man, the Emperor, the system was prone to instability, with Nero and Caligula counted among the worst leaders for their insanity. Others however, such as Trajan and Marcus Aurelius, managed the Empire well. As the final chapters attest however, Rome's decline was steady and then sudden: the Empire was split into East and West, before collapsing in 476 AD.

This volume sheds new light on the experience of ancient Greek warfare by identifying and examining three fundamental transitions undergone by the classical Athenian hoplite as a result of his military service: his departure to war, his homecoming from war having survived, and his homecoming from war having died. As a conscript, a man regularly called upon by his city-state to serve in the battle lines and perform his citizen duty, the most common military experience of the hoplite was one of transition - he was departing to or returning from war on a regular basis, especially during extended periods of conflict. Scholarship has focused primarily on the experience of the hoplite after his return, with a special emphasis on his susceptibility to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), but the moments of transition themselves have yet to be explored in detail. Taking each in turn, Owen Rees examines the transitions from two sides: from within the domestic environment as a member of an oikos, and from within the military environment as a member of the army. This analysis presents a new template for each and effectively maps the experience of the hoplite as he moves between his domestic and military duties. This allows us to reconstruct the effects of war more fully and to identify moments with the potential for a traumatic impact on the individual.

Ancient Greek history is full of fascinating events and adventures, with the refined culture and many Gods of olden Greece a highlight - this history, aimed at younger readers, summarizes the great civilization.Experienced historian and author Helene Guerber tells her history as a series of short and poignant stories. We hear of the founding of early cities such as Athens and Thebes, and the famous myths that would gradually grow to form the pantheon of Greek Gods and legends. The artistic and cultural styles introduced by ancient Greek artisans and craftsmen, the pioneering philosophies of Plato and Socrates, and the settlers who colonized southern Italy are all mentioned.We also hear about the wars and conflicts which were frequent in ancient Greece, becoming part of its literature and mythos. The siege and conquest of Troy, the Peloponnesian War, and the battles between the rival Athenian city states and the Spartans are described. Greece was innovative in war, being among the first civilizations to have organized units such as the hoplites and companion cavalry, and bringing the earliest artillery to the battlefield.

From the moment its last king was expelled (traditionally in 753 BC), the Roman republic had to fight for its very survival. Centuries of almost continuous warfare saw Rome's armies evolve in response to a wide variety of threats which were met with mixed fortunes though always with ultimate success.

Anna Komnene describes the political and military history of the Byzantine Empire during the reign of her father, Emperor Alexios I. The text documents the Crusades and the conflicting perceptions of East and West in the early 12th century.

The History of the Peloponnesian War is an account of the 431-404 BC war between Sparta and Athens. It was written by Thucydides, an Athenian historian who also happened to serve as an Athenian general during the war.

Military Diasporas proposes a new research approach to analyse the role of foreign military personnel as composite and partly imagined para-ethnic groups.

Best-selling historian and classicist Barry Strauss tells the story of the rise and fall of the Roman Empire through the lives of ten of its most important emperors, from Augustus to Constantine.

The year 2022 marks 2,500 years since Athens, the birthplace of democracy, fought off the mighty Persian Empire. This is the story of the three epic battles-Marathon, Thermopylae and Salamis-that saved democracy, forever altering the history of Europe and the West.In 2022 it will be 2,500 years since the final defeat of the invasion of Greece by Xerxes, the Persian king. This astonishing clash between East and West still has resonances in modern history-and has left us with tales of heroic resistance in the face of seemingly hopeless odds. The Harvest of War makes use of recent archaeological and geological discoveries in this thrilling and timely retelling of the story, originally told by Herodotus, the Father of History. In 499 BC, when the rich, sophisticated Greek communities of Ionia on the western coast of modern Turkey rebel from their Persian overlord Darius I, Athens sends ships to help them. Darius crushes the Greeks in a huge sea battle near Miletus and then invades Greece. Standing alone against the powerful Persian army, the soldiers of Athens' newly democratic state-a system which they have invented-unexpectedly repel Darius's forces on the planes of Marathon. After their victory, the Athenians strike a rich vein of silver in their state-owned mining district, and decide to spend the windfall on building a fleet of state-of-the-art warships. Persia wants revenge. The next Persian king, Xerxes, assembles a vast multinational force, constructs a bridge of boats across the Hellespont, digs a canal through the Mount Athos peninsula, and bears down on Greece. Trusting in their "wooden walls," the Athenians station their ships at Artemisium, where they and the weather prevent the Persians landing forces in the rear of the land forces under the Spartan King Leonidas at the nearby pass of Thermopylae. Xerxes's assault is a disastrous failure, until a traitor shows him a mountain track that leads behind the Greeks. Leonidas dismisses the Greek troops, but remains in the pass with his 300 Spartan warriors where they are overwhelmed in an heroic last stand. Athens is sacked by the Persians. Democracy is hanging by a thread. But the Athenians convince the Greek allies to fight on in the narrow waters by the island of Salamis. Despite the heroism of the Persian female commander Artemisia, the Persian fleet is destroyed. The Harvest of War concludes by exploring the ideas that the decisive battles of Marathon, Thermopylae, and Salamis mark the beginnings of Western civilization itself-and that Greece became the bulwark of the West-representing the values of peace, freedom, and democracy in a region historically ravaged by instability and war.

"Una nueva versiâon de Michael Nylan. Por primera vez una mujer ofrece una interpretacion actualizada de el arte de la guerra."--Cover.

"First published in Great Britain in 2003 by Weidenfeld & Nicolson; paperback edition first published in 2004 by Phoenix, an imprint of Orion Books Ltd."--Title page verso.