Hannibal invaded Italy with the hope of raising widespread rebellions among Rome's subordinate allies. Yet even after crushing the Roman army at Cannae, he was only partially successful. Why did some ...communities decide to side with Carthage and others to side with Rome? This is the fundamental question posed in this book, and consideration is given to the particular political, diplomatic, military and economic factors that influenced individual communities' decisions. Understanding their motivations reveals much, not just about the war itself, but also about Rome's relations with Italy during the prior two centuries of aggressive expansion. The book sheds new light on Roman imperialism in Italy, the nature of Roman hegemony, and the transformation of Roman Italy in the period leading up to the Social War. It is informed throughout by contemporary political science theory and archaeological evidence, and will be required reading for all historians of the Roman Republic.
This volume addresses the fundamental importance of the army, warfare, and military service to the development of both the Roman Republic and wider Italic society in the second half of the first ...millennium BC. It brings together emerging and established scholars in the area of Roman military studies to engage with subjects such as the relationship between warfare and economic and demographic regimes; the interplay of war, aristocratic politics, and state formation; and the complex role the military played in the integration of Italy. The book demonstrates the centrality of war to Rome’s internal and external relationships during the Republic, as well as to the Romans’ sense of identity and history. It also illustrates the changing scholarly view of warfare as a social and cultural construct in antiquity, and how much work remains to be done in what is often thought of as a ""traditional"" area of research. Romans at War will be of interest to students and scholars of the Roman army and ancient warfare, and of Roman society more broadly.
This volume addresses the fundamental importance of the army, warfare, and military service to the development of both the Roman Republic and wider Italic society in the second half of the first ...millennium BC. It brings together emerging and established scholars in the area of Roman military studies to engage with subjects such as the relationship between warfare and economic and demographic regimes; the interplay of war, aristocratic politics, and state formation; and the complex role the military played in the integration of Italy. The book demonstrates the centrality of war to Rome’s internal and external relationships during the Republic, as well as to the Romans’ sense of identity and history. It also illustrates the changing scholarly view of warfare as a social and cultural construct in antiquity, and how much work remains to be done in what is often thought of as a "traditional" area of research. Romans at War will be of interest to students and scholars of the Roman army and ancient warfare, and of Roman society more broadly.
This paper argues that the Spartans consistently adapted their strategic approach
during the first half of the Archidamian War in response to shifting military
conditions and emerging opportunities. ...Overall, Spartan military thinking was
more creative, adaptive, and contingent than is usually acknowledged.
Capuan hegemonic aspiration was a critical factor in the city's decision to ally with Hannibal, a motivation that scholars downplay. The Capuo-Hannibalic alliance had the paradoxical effect of ...discouraging further allied revolts in Campania because some communities feared Capua's expansionist tendencies. This suggests that long-term intraregional rivalries persisted long after Roman conquest. /// Les aspirations hégémoniques de Capoue ont joué un grand rôle dans la décision de la ville de s'allier avec Hannibal, mobile que les érudits sous-estiment. L'alliance entre Capoue et Hannibal eut l'effet paradoxal de désamorcer de possibles révoltes de cités alliées en Campanie, puisque les cités craignaient les penchants expansionnistes de Capoue. Cela semble indiquer que des rivalités interrégionales ont persisté longtemps après la conquête romaine.
