The Great Armies of Antiquity

Gabriel examines 18 ancient army systems examining the organizational structure and weapons employed and the degree to which cultural values and imperatives shaped the form and application of military force. The tactical doctrines and specific operational capabilities of each army are analyzed to explain how certain technical limitations and societal/cultural imperatives affected the operational capabilities of ancient armies. Cross-cultural and cross-historical connections ground the analysis in the larger historical context of the ancient world.Sumer and AkkadThe Armies of the PharaohsThe Hittites The MitanniArmies of the BibleThe Iron Army of AssyriaChinese ArmiesPersia and the Art of LogisticsThe GreeksCarthaginian ArmiesArmies of IndiaRomeThe Iberians Celts Germans and GothsThe Army of ByzantiumThe VikingsThe Arab ArmiesThe Japanese Way of WarThe MongolsThe OttomansThis book also provides an introductory overview of war in the ancient world from 2500 B.C.E. to 1453 C.E. as well as an examination of the evolution of modern warfare from 1453 to 2002 C.E.