Ancient Warfare

Greek and Roman warfare was unlike that of any other culture before or since. The key difference is often held to be that the Greeks and Romans practiced a "Western Way of War", in which the aim is an open, decisive battle - won by courage instilled, in part, by discipline. Here, Harry Sidebottom looks at how this Western Way of War was constructed and maintained by the Greeks and Romans and why this concept is so prevalent today. 

Step back in time with the History Encyclopedia: Ancient History, an exciting journey through the earliest chapters of human civilization! Perfect for curious kids and young adults, this audiobook explores the fascinating origins of humanity - from the very first humans to the rise of powerful ancient civilizations. Discover what history is, meet the people of the prehistoric age, and uncover the amazing art they created.

Uncover how weapons of war reshape society, from ancient battlefields to the chilling frontier of AI global security. Whether you are powering through a morning commute or seeking a thought-provoking historical deep-dive, this immersive journey reveals how the tools of conflict dictate human...

In 431 BC, the long simmering rivalry between the city-states of Athens and Sparta erupted into open warfare, and for more than a generation the two were locked in a life-and-death struggle. The war embroiled the entire Greek world, provoking years of butchery previously unparalleled in ancient Greece. Whole cities were exterminated, their men killed, their women and children enslaved.

One hundred and ten centuries from now, humanity has spread across space. And all-powerful machines rule the humans who were once their masters. It began in the Time of Tyrants, when ambitious men and women used high-powered computers to seize control of the heart of the Old Empire including...

Thrust into the brutal reality of medieval warfare, your survival hinges on adapting to the relentless Mongol cavalry. Stripped of everything you know, you are dragged into a gritty, immersive historical adventure where every freezing wind across the Eurasian steppe tests your will. It is the...

Mastering the West offers a thoroughly engrossing narrative of this century of battle in the western Mediterranean, while treating a full range of themes: the antagonists' military, naval, economic, and demographic resources; the political structures of both republics; and the postwar impact of the conflicts on the participants and victims.

For the first time, By the Spear offers an exhilarating military narrative of the reigns of these two larger-than-life figures in one volume. Ian Worthington gives full breadth to the careers of father and son, showing how Philip was the architect of the Macedonian empire, which reached its zenith under Alexander, only to disintegrate upon his death.

A History of War explains the dark but compelling story of warfare, from its emergence in prehistoric tribal disputes, through great imperial and global wars, to present-day counterinsurgency and 'hybrid' conflicts. Two factors sit at the heart of this story: technology—including weapons, vehicle systems, vehicles—and tactics. A History of War charts the rise of the army, explaining how primitive tribal war parties evolved through seasonal levies and feudal armies to professional standing armies and mass conscription forces, with formal organisational structures.

377 AD: Numerius Vitellius Pavo and the men of the XI Claudia return to Constantinople from their brutal Persian sortie to hear widespread tales of Thracia’s plight and the precarious mountain blockades. Each of them knows what is at stake should those passes fall: the heartland of the...

The struggle between Rome and Carthage in the Punic Wars was arguably the greatest and most desperate conflict of antiquity. The forces involved and the casualties suffered by both sides were far greater than in any wars fought before the modern era, while the eventual outcome had far-reaching...

Most people fight battles they’ve already lost. The true master wins without taking a single strike. Written over 2,000 years ago, Sun Tzu’s timeless masterpiece "The Art of War" remains the ultimate playbook for mastering conflict, outmaneuvering rivals, and leading with total authority...

Explore gripping military history and the evolution of strategic command, from ancient battles to modern hybrid warfare. Transform your daily commute into an intense, thought-provoking journey through the minds of historical leaders under ultimate pressure. Witness how culture, politics, and raw...

Experience the gripping evolution of military history, from the clash of ancient swords to modern cyber warfare. Perfect for an immersive commute, this intense historical journey drops you directly onto the front lines of human conflict. Feel the ground-shaking impact of industrial mechanization...

The complete and definitive history of how Roman generals carved out the greatest and longest-lasting empire the world has ever seen. The Roman army was one of the most effective fighting forces in history. The legions and their commanders carved out an empire which eventually included the...

Witness ten epic military encounters that forged European history, dropping you directly onto the dramatic frontlines. Perfect for an engaging daily commute or an intense afternoon of deep learning, this immersive narrative transforms distant dates into visceral geopolitical realities. Feel the...

Survive the brutal, gritty reality of medieval warfare from the mud-soaked perspective of a low-born infantryman. Perfect for a gripping daily commute or a late-night history binge, this immersive journey abandons gallant knights to march alongside the coerced peasants who truly fought the wars...

Step into an atmospheric historical fiction adventure where a fierce shield-maiden faces a looming Viking raid. As dawn breaks over the icy shores, the scent of hearth smoke and sea spray signals a day of brutal survival. For listeners seeking a gritty, immersive escape during a busy commute...

Bloomsbury presents At the Gates of Rome by Don Hollway, read by Mark Meadows. A dramatic retelling of the final years of the Western Roman Empire and the downfall of Rome itself from the perspective of the Roman general Stilicho and Alaric, king of the Visigoths. It took little more than a...

'Superb: a dynamic, compelling and pulsating history - grippingly narrated but with a completely fresh and convincing analysis . . . A must read' SIMON SEBAG MONTEFIORE 'Bold, vital and urgent . . . Blows the old parochial Western accounts clean away' SUZANNAH LIPSCOMB 'Refreshing and astutely...