The enemies of Rome : from Hannibal to Attila the Hun
Matyszak, Philip2023
Book
Total copies: 1
An account of the rise and fall of Rome as seen by those most directly affected - the vanquished themselves, this work presents the reality of legends such as Spartacus the gladiator, Shapur the conqueror and Mithridates the connoisseur of poisons. The gripping stories of the most colourful and formidable characters to challenge the might of Rome. Until recently, it was assumed that Rome carried the torch of civilization into the barbarian darkness, bringing law, architecture, and literature to conquered peoples. The alternative view now suggests that many of Rome's enemies - the Celts, Hebrews, and Phoenicians, for example - were developing civilizations in their own right before obliteration at the Roman sword. Indeed, as Philip Matyszak argues, had Rome not crushed rivals so completely, the drop into the Dark Ages might not have occurred; at Rome's collapse, no other powerful civilizations remained to absorb the impact. This engrossing book looks at the growth and eventual demise of Rome from the viewpoint of those vanquished by Rome. They varied from the highly cultivated Greeks and Egyptians to wild and rebellious Britons and Germans, to the Asiatic empires of the Persians and Parthians. Their leaders were driven by ambition, vindictive hatred, fear, political calculation, or naked greed. Some fought to preserve their heritage, some for personal survival, and others from a warrior's love of battle. Defying the might of Rome was a dangerous business, and few of the men and women described here died in their beds. Some, like Vercingetorix and Jugurtha, were captured, exhibited in triumph, and then, while their conquerors sat down to a festive dinner, killed in the dungeons below. Rather than face such an end, some of Rome's greatest adversaries, including Hannibal, Boudicca, and Cleopatra, killed themselves. Here is the reality behind legends such as Spartacus the gladiator, and the stories of Shapur the conqueror and Mithridates the connoisseur of poisons. Some enemies of Rome were noble heroes, others were murdering villains, but each has a unique and fascinating story.
Main title:
The enemies of Rome : from Hannibal to Attila the Hun / Philip Matyszak.
Author:
Matyszak, Philip, author
Imprint:
London : Thames & Hudson, 2023.©2023.
Collation:
304 pages : illustrations, maps ; 20 cm.
Notes:
Originally published: 2004."With 72 illustrations" -- title page.Includes bibliographical references and index.
Contents:
Introduction Part I Hannibal Philip V Viriathus Jugurtha Part II Mithridates Spartacus Vercingetorix Orodes Cleopatra Arminius Part III Boudicca Josephus Decebalus Part IV Shapur Zenobia Alaric Attila Epilogue.
ISBN:
9780500297292 (paperback)
Dewey class:
937
LC class:
DG63
Language:
English
BRN:
778306