The enemies of Rome : from Hannibal to Attila the Hun /
Phillip Matyszak.
- 1th ed. paperback.
- London : Thames & Hudson, 2008.
- 296 p. : ill., maps.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 286-288) and index.
Hannibal -- Philip V -- Viriathus -- Jugurtha -- Mithridates -- Spartacus -- Vercingetorix -- Orodes II -- Cleopatra -- Arminius -- Boudicca -- Josephus -- Decebalus -- Shapur I -- Zenobia -- Alaric -- Attila.
"This book looks at the growth and eventual demise of Rome from the viewpoint of the people who fought against it. 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 simply naked greed. Some fought to preserve their heritage and ancient way of life, 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 in these pages 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, Viriathus the guerrilla leader 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."--Jacket.
9780500287729
Government, Resistance to--Rome.
Rome--Foreign relations. Roma --Colonias. Roma--Relaciones exteriores. Rome--Colonies. Rome--History, Military.