Armies of Celtic Europe, 700 BC–AD 106

Armies of Celtic Europe, 700 BC–AD 106 PDF Author: Gabriele Esposito
Publisher: Pen and Sword
ISBN: 1526730340
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 271

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Book Description
A look at the military might of these ancient warriors who sacked Rome and conquered much of Europe. Although comprised of many distinct tribes and groupings, the Celts shared a distinctive culture that dominated much of Europe for centuries, and enjoyed a formidable reputation as fierce and brave warriors, skilled horsemen, and fine metalworkers. In 390 BC, an alliance of Celtic tribes defeated a Roman army at the River Allia and went on to sack Rome and thenceforth the Romans lived under their threat. In the early third century BC, a Celtic army swept into Macedonia and Greece, won a major victory at Thermopylai, and ransacked the sacred sanctuary at Delphi. Such was their warlike prowess that, when not fighting their own wars, they were sought after as mercenaries by many armies, serving as far afield as southern Egypt. When the Romans invaded Gaul—modern-day France and Belgium—and the British Isles, Celtic armies resisted them fiercely. In this book, Gabriele Esposito studies this fascinating warrior culture, their armies, strategy, tactics, and equipment—they invented the horned saddle and chainmail, and British armies were the last in Europe to use chariots on the battlefield. Also included are dozens of color photographs of reenactors to help bring these magnificent warriors back to life.

Armies of Celtic Europe, 700 BC–AD 106

Armies of Celtic Europe, 700 BC–AD 106 PDF Author: Gabriele Esposito
Publisher: Pen and Sword
ISBN: 1526730340
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 271

Get Book

Book Description
A look at the military might of these ancient warriors who sacked Rome and conquered much of Europe. Although comprised of many distinct tribes and groupings, the Celts shared a distinctive culture that dominated much of Europe for centuries, and enjoyed a formidable reputation as fierce and brave warriors, skilled horsemen, and fine metalworkers. In 390 BC, an alliance of Celtic tribes defeated a Roman army at the River Allia and went on to sack Rome and thenceforth the Romans lived under their threat. In the early third century BC, a Celtic army swept into Macedonia and Greece, won a major victory at Thermopylai, and ransacked the sacred sanctuary at Delphi. Such was their warlike prowess that, when not fighting their own wars, they were sought after as mercenaries by many armies, serving as far afield as southern Egypt. When the Romans invaded Gaul—modern-day France and Belgium—and the British Isles, Celtic armies resisted them fiercely. In this book, Gabriele Esposito studies this fascinating warrior culture, their armies, strategy, tactics, and equipment—they invented the horned saddle and chainmail, and British armies were the last in Europe to use chariots on the battlefield. Also included are dozens of color photographs of reenactors to help bring these magnificent warriors back to life.

The Trojan Kings of Britain

The Trojan Kings of Britain PDF Author: Caleb Howells
Publisher: Amberley Publishing Limited
ISBN: 1398112763
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 409

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Book Description
Caleb Howells, author King Arthur: The Man Who Conquered Europe, argues that the legend of Brutus is based on real historical events. Constructing a compelling argument based on a re-examination of original sources, the book offers a fresh perspective on the history of Britain.

Armies of Ancient Greece Circa 500–338 BC

Armies of Ancient Greece Circa 500–338 BC PDF Author: Gabriele Esposito
Publisher: Pen and Sword Military
ISBN: 1526751909
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 339

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Book Description
Illustrated with color photos, this guide details the arms, armor, organization, and tactics of Classical Greek armies. The Classical period includes some of the most famous wars and battles of Ancient Greece, including the defeat of the Persians at Marathon, the Spartans’ last stand at Thermopylae, the Peloponnesian War and the March of the Ten Thousand. The Greek heavy infantry spearmen, or hoplites, are one of the most recognizable types of ancient warrior and their tightly-packed phalanx formation dominated the battlefield. Covering the period from the Persian Wars to the Macedonian victory at the Battle of Chaeronea, Gabriele Esposito examines the famous hoplites heavy infantry as well as other troops, such as light infantry skirmishers and cavalry. His clear, informative text is beautifully illustrated with dozens of color photographs showing how the equipment was worn and used.

Armies of the Thracians & Dacians, 500 BC–AD 150

Armies of the Thracians & Dacians, 500 BC–AD 150 PDF Author: Gabriele Esposito
Publisher: Pen and Sword Military
ISBN: 1526772752
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 225

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Book Description
A history of these warring armies who dominated the ancient world, with eighty detailed photos and illustrations of equipment. The Thracians, mentioned as early as the eighth century BC in Homer’s Iliad, were fundamental in the evolution of Greek military systems across the ages. They fought in the Persian Wars, were part of Alexander the Great’s army, were used as mercenaries in many Hellenistic armies, and resisted Roman conquest for a long time. In addition, they used some iconic weapons and had a distinctive panoply. The Dacians were a mix of different cultures and were extremely influenced by some steppe peoples, such as the Sarmatians. They had a lot in common with the Thracians, but had a different history. They formed one of the largest and most powerful kingdoms of antiquity, a sort of superpower that dominated over the Balkans. Their wars against Trajan and the Roman Army were absolutely epic, the last campaigns of conquest in the history of the Western Roman Empire. This book about the Thracians and Dacians features a rich collection of photos specifically created for it by reenactors.

Armies of the Late Roman Empire, AD 284–476

Armies of the Late Roman Empire, AD 284–476 PDF Author: Gabriele Esposito
Publisher: Casemate Publishers
ISBN: 1526730383
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 321

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Book Description
An illustrated guide to the organization, structure, equipment, weapons, combat history, and tactics of the Late Roman military forces. This guide to the Late Roman Army focusses on the dramatic and crucial period that started with the accession of Diocletian and ended with the definitive fall of the Western Roman Empire. This was a turbulent period during which the Roman state and its armed forces changed. Gabriele Esposito challenges many stereotypes and misconceptions regarding the Late Roman Army; for example, he argues that the Roman military machine remained a reliable and efficient one until the very last decades of the Western Empire. The author describes the organization, structure, equipment, weapons, combat history and tactics of Late Roman military forces. The comitatenses (field armies), limitanei (frontier units), foederati (allied soldiers), bucellarii (mercenaries), scholae palatinae (mounted bodyguards), protectores (personal guards) and many other kinds of troops are covered. The book is lavishly illustrated in color, including the shield devices from the Notitia Dignitatum. The origins and causes for the final military fall of the Empire are discussed in detail, as well as the influence of the “barbarian” peoples on the Roman Army. Praise for Armies of the Late Roman Empire, AD 284–476 “An excellent introduction to the subject for the novice, and seasoned students of the subject may find it of use as well.” —The NYMAS Review “This beautifully illustrated book depicts the very different arms and armour of the late Roman Empire as Roman soldiers adapted to the challenges of the rising barbarian armies . . . Very Highly Recommended.” —Firetrench “Superbly well-illustrated . . . historians, re-enactors and war gamers will find invaluable to understanding and picturing the Roman forces.” —Hoplite Association

Armies of the Vikings, AD 793–1066

Armies of the Vikings, AD 793–1066 PDF Author: Gabriele Esposito
Publisher: Pen and Sword Military
ISBN: 1399008404
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 269

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Book Description
An in-depth, illustrated look at the campaigns, tactics, and weapons of some of history’s fiercest and most legendary warriors. Viking warriors were feared by their contemporaries and their ferocious reputation has survived to the present day. This book covers the military history of the Vikings from their early raiding to the final failure of their expansionist ambitions directed against England. In that period, Viking warbands and increasingly large armies had left their Scandinavian homelands to range across vast regions, including the whole of Northern Europe and beyond, even reaching North America. The British Isles were terrorized for two centuries and at times largely conquered. In Normandy, Russia, and elsewhere they also settled and founded states. As far afield as Constantinople, the Byzantine emperors employed them as their elite Varangian Guard. Tough, skilled and resourceful, with a culture that embraced the pursuit of immortal fame and a heroic death in battle, their renown as warriors was second to none. In this book, Gabriele Esposito outlines the history of their campaigns and battles and examines in detail their strategy, tactics, weapons, armor, and clothing. In addition, dozens of color photographs of replica equipment in use bring this fascinating subject to life.

Armies of Ancient Italy, 753–218 BC

Armies of Ancient Italy, 753–218 BC PDF Author: Gabriele Esposito
Publisher: Pen and Sword Military
ISBN: 1526751860
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 297

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Book Description
A military history of ancient Italy, featuring details of the weapons, equipment, and tactics, as well as color photos showing how warriors looked. Before becoming the masters of the Mediterranean world, the Romans had first to conquer the Italian peninsula in a series of harsh conflicts against its other varied and warlike residents. The outcome was no foregone conclusion and it took the Romans half a millennium to secure the whole of Italy. In Armies of Ancient Italy 753–218 BC, Gabriele Esposito presents the armies that fought these wars, in which the Roman military spirit and their famous legions were forged. He not only follows the evolution of the Roman forces from the Regal Period to the outbreak of the Second Punic War but also the forces of their neighbors, rivals and enemies. The most notable of these, the Etruscans, Samnites and the Italian Greeks are given particular attention but others, such as the Celts and Ligures of the North and the warriors of Sicily and Sardinia, are also considered. Details of the organization, weapons, equipment and tactics of each army are described, while dozens of beautiful color photos of reenactors show how these warriors looked in the field. “Once more, a beautifully illustrated book, this time starting with the story of Rome from the Regal Period to the Second Punic War. The author follows the highly successful format of his books covering the late period of the Roman Empire.—Most Highly Recommended.” —Firetrench “An interesting look at all the people of the Italian era, but what really brings it to life are the countless full colour photographs of re-enactor groups in the correct armour and dress for the various tribes and regions they represent. Excellent production standards and a fascinating look at the history of early Rome.” —The Armourer

Armies of the Germanic Peoples, 200 BC–AD 500

Armies of the Germanic Peoples, 200 BC–AD 500 PDF Author: Gabriele Esposito
Publisher: Pen and Sword Military
ISBN: 152677271X
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 265

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Book Description
An overview of the Germanic peoples’ military history from this period and an examination of the weapons and tactics they employed on the battlefield. Gabriele Esposito begins this study by showing how, from very early on, the Germanic communities were heavily influenced by Celtic culture. He then moves on to describe the major military events, starting with the first major encounter between the Germanic tribes and the Romans: the invasion by the Cimbri and Teutones. Julius Caesar’s campaigns against German groups seeking to enter Gaul are described in detail as is the pivotal Battle of the Teutoburg Forest, which effectively halted Roman expansion into Germany and for centuries fixed the Rhine as the border between the Roman and Germanic civilizations. Escalating pressure of Germanic raids and invasions was a major factor in the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. The author’s analysis explains how Germanic warriors were able to crush the Roman military forces on several occasions, gradually transformed the Roman Army itself from the inside and, after the fall of the Empire, created new Romano-Germanic Kingdoms across Europe. The evolution of Germanic weapons, equipment and tactics is examined and brought to life through dozens of color photos of replica equipment in use.

Armies of the Scythians and Sarmatians 700 BC to AD 450

Armies of the Scythians and Sarmatians 700 BC to AD 450 PDF Author: Gabriele Esposito
Publisher: Pen and Sword Military
ISBN: 1399047396
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 161

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Book Description
The Scythians were a horse nomads from the central Eurasian steppes who migrated south and west into the region around the Black Sea from the seventh century BC which they dominated until replaced and absorbed by the very similar Sarmatians from the third century BC. A harsh life spent riding, herding and hunting on the steppes made them into tough warriors, and highly skilled horsemen and archers. Their armies were highly mobile, mostly comprising swift mounted archers capable of elusive hit-and-run attacks but with the wealthier warriors constituting a core of heavier cavalry, armored and equipped for close combat. Over hundreds of years the Scythians fought, and often defeated, such notable opponents as the Assyrians, Medes, Persians, Greeks and Macedonians. Their Sarmatian successors continued the tradition, being among the Romans’ most dangerous opponents for several centuries. Gabriele Esposito discusses these remarkable warriors of the steppes, analysing what made them such formidable opponents to their neighbours over the centuries. He describes in detail their weapons, armor, equipment and tactics as they evolved over the centuries. The fascinating text is supported by dozens of beautiful color photographs of replica costume, arms and equipment in use.

Art of the Celts

Art of the Celts PDF Author: Felix Müller
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Art, Celtic
Languages : en
Pages : 320

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Book Description
"Neighbors and contemporaries of the Greeks, Etruscans, and Romans, the Celts received inspiration from these advanced civlizations, which set their own creativity in motion. The distinctive Celtic style of art was born, with ornament as its outstanding feature. Naturalistic depiction was never its goal. On the contrary, plants and living creatures were dissected into their individual components and reassembled, were concealed and hidden, distorted and defamiliarized. This book explains the archaeological and historic context of each period, in order to obtain a better understanding of the development and significance of Celtic art and craftsmanship. The catalog contains forty "masterpeices", all outstanding examples illustrating the development of Celtic art. Finally, "101 motifs" demonstrate the varied links within Celtic ornament over the course of time and across Europe"--P. [4] of Cover.