Rome: Strategy of Empire

The Roman Empire lasted 500 years, and its decline and final collapse took longer than most other empires. Edward Luttwak's The Grand Strategy of the Roman Empire failed to win over many ancient historians due to its heavy emphasis on military force and neglect of diplomacy, economics, politics, culture, and the changing nature of threats. James Lacey's book provides a comprehensive, persuasive, and engaging account of the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, assimilating the most recent work of classical historians and archaeologists to correct the flaws and omissions of previous accounts.

Format: Hardback
Length: 520 pages
Publication date: 24 November 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

The Roman Empire, spanning from Augustus' reign to its downfall in 476 CE, endured a remarkable 500-year existence, constituting a substantial portion of recorded history. In contrast, the decline and ultimate collapse of this empire took longer than most other empires ever witnessed. As a historian delving into the grand strategy of the Roman Empire, it is essential to remain mindful of the historical timeframe in which one operates. While the pace of change during the Roman era may not have reached the rapid strides of the modern era, it was nonetheless a dynamic entity. While the visible aspects of the empire may have remained relatively unchanged, the challenges Rome faced at its end were vastly different from those encountered by Augustus and the Julio-Claudians. Throughout centuries, the Empire's economy, political structures, military affairs, and external threats underwent constant evolution, making adaptability a crucial factor for Roman strategists, akin to modern-day strategists. However, the notion of Rome possessing a grand strategy or understanding its essence had not received significant attention from historians until Edward Luttwak's influential work, "The Grand Strategy of the Roman Empire," emerged forty years ago. While this pioneering study sparked considerable debate, it failed to gain widespread acceptance among ancient historians, partly due to its strong emphasis on military power and its neglect of factors such as diplomacy, economics, politics, culture, and the evolving nature of the threats faced by Rome. By adopting a broad definition of strategy and centering the narrative on pivotal historical moments and the individuals involved, Luttwak sought to provide a fresh perspective on the Roman Empire's strategic endeavors.

Weight: 800g
Dimension: 165 x 243 x 39 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780190937706