The Enemies of Rome: From Hannibal to Attila the Hun

This book explores the rise and fall of Rome from the perspective of its enemies, highlighting the diverse and complex characters who challenged the Roman Empire. It challenges the traditional view that Rome was the sole carrier of civilization and suggests that its enemies were also developing their own cultures before their destruction. The book describes the motivations and actions of these enemies, including ambition, hatred, fear, and greed, and reveals the dangerous and often tragic consequences of defying Rome.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 03 August 2023
Publisher: Thames & Hudson Ltd

The captivating tales of the most vibrant and formidable characters who dared challenge the might of Rome are unveiled in this enthralling book. Until recently, it was widely believed that Rome carried the flame of civilization into the barbarian darkness, bestowing upon conquered peoples law, architecture, and literature. However, the alternative perspective suggests that many of Rome's adversaries, such as the Celts, Hebrews, and Phoenicians, were already developing their own civilizations before their eventual downfall at the hands of the Roman sword. In fact, as Philip Matyszak argues, had Rome not utterly crushed its rivals, the descent into the Dark Ages might not have occurred. At the collapse of Rome, no other powerful civilizations remained to absorb the impact.

This engrossing book delves into the rise and eventual decline of Rome, offering a unique perspective from those who were vanquished by the Roman Empire. The individuals portrayed range from the highly cultivated Greeks and Egyptians to the wild and rebellious Britons and Germans, as well as the Asiatic empires of the Persians and Parthians. Their leaders were motivated by a myriad of factors, including ambition, vindictive hatred, fear, political calculation, and naked greed. Some fought to preserve their heritage, while others sought personal survival, and still, others were driven by a warrior's love of battle. Defying the might of Rome was a perilous endeavor, and few of the men and women described herein died in their beds. Some, like Vercingetorix and Jugurtha, were captured, exhibited in triumph, and then mercilessly killed in the dungeons below. Instead of facing such a fate, some of Rome's greatest adversaries, including Hannibal, Boudicca, and Cleopatra, chose to take their own lives.

Behind the legends of Spartacus the gladiator and the stories of Shapur the conqueror and Mithridates the connoisseur of poisons, lies the reality that some enemies of Rome were indeed noble heroes. Others were ruthless murderers, driven by their own twisted desires and motives. This book serves as a testament to the complex and multifaceted nature of the Roman Empire and its adversaries, shedding light on the intricate web of alliances, betrayals, and battles that shaped the ancient world.

Weight: 280g
Dimension: 129 x 378 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780500297292