The Punic Wars

The Punic Wars were waged between the military confederation of Rome and the trading empire of Carthage during the years 264-242 BC, 218-201 BC and 149-8 BC, and left Rome's population radically depleted and Carthage razed from the map. Nigel Bagnall's experience enables him to bring a professional eye to his analysis of the Wars and to show how relevant they are to contemporary world. He marshals authorities such as Livy, Polybius and Dioderus to plot the campaigns in Spain, Africa, Sicily and the Pelopponese, and Hannibal's daring but unsuccessful strike into the heart of Italy. Bagnall discusses the force structures and politics of the two powers, and their conduct of battle at strategic, operational and tactical levels to show how they are governed by military principles that remain constant. His thought-provoking final chapter relates the lessons of the Punic Wars to modern times in an impressive argument for adapting the experience of the past to the needs of our future.