Philip Matyszak
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English
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Universally admired in 479 BC, the Spartans were masters of the Greek world by 402 BC, only for their state to collapse in the next generation. What went wrong? Was the fall of Sparta inevitable? Philip Matyszak examines the political blunders and failures of leadership which combined with unresolved social issues to bring down the nation - even as its warriors remained invincible on the battlefield.The Spartans believed their constitution and society...
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English
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The acclaimed ancient world historian examines the centuries-long decline of Greek powers in the face of the growing Roman threat.
Towards the middle of the third century BC, the Hellenistic kingdoms were near their peak. In terms of population, economy and military power, each was vastly superior to Rome, not to mention in fields such as medicine, architecture, science, philosophy and literature. But over the next two and a half centuries, Rome...
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English
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Their contemporaries were fascinated by the Spartans and we still are. They are portrayed as the stereotypical macho heroes: noble, laconic, totally fearless and impervious to discomfort and pain. What makes the study of Sparta so interesting is that to a large extent the Spartans lived up to this image. Ancient Sparta, however, was a city of contrasts. We might admire their physical toughness and heroism in adversity but Spartans also systematically...
Author
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Pen & Sword Books
Pub. Date
[2009]
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English
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A military biography of Mithridates VI the Great of Pontus, Rome’s most persistent enemy. The Mithridiatic wars stretched over half a century and two continents, and have a fascinating cast of pirates, rebels, turncoats and poisoners (though an unfortunate lack of heroes with untarnished motives). There are pitched battles, epic sieges, double-crosses and world-class political conniving, assassinations and general treachery. Through it all, the...
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The Athenian expedition to conquer Sicily was one of the pivotal events of the classical period. At this time (415 BC), Athens was locked in a decades-long struggle with Sparta for mastery of the Greek world. The expedition to Sicily was intended to give Athens the extra money and resources to crush the Spartans. New archaeological discoveries allow the ensuing siege to be reconstructed in greater detail than ever before. The cast of characters includes...
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This will be the third in the Roman Conquests series (following Italy and Spain) and one of those with the most obvious appeal. While Rome was struggling for her very survival against the Carthaginians in the Second Punic War, Philip V of Macedon attempted to take advantage of their apparent vulnerability by allying with Hannibal and declaring war. For the time being the Romans negated this threat by shrewd use of allies to keep Philip occupied in...
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Partly as a result of poor commanders and partly because the Romans had an innate and misguided belief in the invincibility of their legions, the first battles against the Cimbri were a series of disasters. These culminated in the Battle of Arausio in 105 BC when two Roman armies were utterly destroyed.
Rome finally realized that their republic faced an existential threat, and made the necessary painful political and military changes that were...
Author
Publisher
Pen & Sword Books
Pub. Date
[2013]
Language
English
Description
"The epic battle to liberate Spain from Roman rule is a masterclass of ancient guerilla warfare, recounted by the author of Ancient Rome on 5 Denarii a Day. In the year 82 BC, after a brutal civil war, the dictator Sulla took power in Rome. But among those who refused to accept his rule was the young army officer Quintus Sertorius. Sertorius fled, first to Africa and then to Spain, where he made common cause with the native people who had been savagely...
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English
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The destruction of the trapped German forces in the Falaise pocket in August 1944 is one of the most famous episodes of the Normandy campaign. But myths have grown up around accounts of the battle, and its impact on the course of the war is sometimes misunderstood. In this meticulously researched and perceptive study Anthony Tucker-Jones dispels misconceptions about the battle, describes the combat in graphic detail and reassesses the outcome in the...
Author
Publisher
Pen & Sword Books
Pub. Date
[2013]
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English
Description
"This thrillingly vivid history recounts a pivotal battle of the Peloponnesian War, bringing the drama and personalities of the Sicilian Expedition to life. The Athenian expedition to conquer Sicily was one of the most significant military events of the classical period. At the time, Athens was locked in a decades-long struggle with Sparta for mastery of the Greek world. The expedition to Sicily was intended to win Athens the extra money and resources...
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Walk a day in a Roman's sandals.
What was it like to live in one of the ancient world's most powerful and bustling cities-one that was eight times more densely populated than modern day New York?
In this entertaining and enlightening guide, bestselling historian Philip Matyszak introduces us to the people who lived and worked there. In each hour of the day we meet a new character-from emperor to slave girl, gladiator to astrologer, medicine woman...
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English
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Athens, 416 BC. A tenuous peace holds. The city-state's political and military might are feared throughout the ancient world, it pushes the boundaries of social, literary, and philosophical experimentation in an era when it has a greater concentration of geniuses per capita than at any other time in human history. Yet even geniuses go to the bathroom, argue with their spouse, and enjoy a drink with friends.
Few of the city's other inhabitants enjoy...
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The ancient world of the Mediterranean and the Near East saw the birth and collapse of great civilizations. While several of these are well known, for all those that have been recorded, many have been unjustly forgotten. Our history is overflowing with different cultures that have all evolved over time, sometimes dissolving or reforming, though ultimately shaping the way we continue to live. But for every culture that has been remembered, what have...
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The ruins of ancient Athens, Luxor, and Rome are familiar cornerstones of world history, visited by travelers from across the globe. But what about the cities that have dropped off the map? Where are they, and what can they tell us about our past?
In this compendium of forgotten cities, Philip Matyszak explores the trials, tribulations, and triumphs these cities faced. Lost Cities of the Ancient World brings to life the sites and settlements across...
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English
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One hundred vivid portraits of real-life characters bring to life the highs and lows of Rome's dramatic history.
A vibrant portrait of a lost world, A History of Ancient Rome in 100 Lives reveals the mightiest civilization of antiquity through the eyes of one hundred of its citizens. The book gives a voice not just to Rome's most famous generals and rulers, such as Caesar and Caligula, but also to its builders, sculptors, poets, historians, gladiators,...