|
Showing 1 - 20 of
20 matches in All Departments
Follow the journey of David Hockney's exceptional life in a unique
graphic novelĀ format. From his childhood in Bradford
andĀ early years making it as an artist, to his
sun-drenchedĀ Los Angeles period, his triumphal return to the
UK and his recentĀ iPad drawings that proudly exclaim that
āspring cannot be cancelledā, this charming biography traces
the captivating life and times of David Hockney. Drawn entirely on
an iPadĀ in a fun, fully illustrated style
āĀ andĀ in homage to Hockney's own iPad drawings
āĀ this is a colourful, thought-provoking and joyous story
of one of the world'sĀ best-loved artists.
The world of the Roman Republic and Empire is still very much with
us, alive and a key companion as we negotiate the trials and
tribulations of modern life. We don't just walk in the footsteps of
Romans great and small; we walk side by side with them. At its
height in the second century AD the Roman Empire stretched across
three continents, from Hadrian's Wall in the far north-west to the
bustling port cities on the Red Sea, but its influence spread even
further afield, with its legacy lasting to this day. In The Legacy
of Rome, acclaimed historian Dr Simon Elliott sets off on a grand
tour of the whole empire, reviewing each region in turn to show how
the experience of being part of the Roman world still has a
dramatic impact on our lives today. From wild Britannia, where the
legacy of conquest still influences relationships with the
Continent; to western Europe, where the language, church and even
law can be traced back to antiquity; to schisms and war across
central Europe and the Middle East that are directly rooted in the
world of Rome - the result is a fascinating exploration of the
reach of Rome beyond its borders and through time.
The Roman Conquests series seeks to explain when and how the Romans
were able to conquer a vast empire stretching from the foothills of
the Scottish Highlands to the Sahara Desert, from the Atlantic to
the Persian Gulf. How did their armies adapt to and overcome the
challenges of widely varied enemies and terrain? In this volume, Dr
Simon Elliott draws on the latest research and archaeological
evidence to present a new narrative of the conquest (never
completed) of Britain. From Julius Caesar's initial incursions in
55 and 54 BC, through the Claudian invasion of 43 AD and the
campaigns of expansion and pacification thereafter, he analyses the
Roman army in action. The weapons, equipment, organization,
leadership, strategy and tactics of the legions and their British
foes are described and analysed. The ferocity of the resistance was
such that the island was never wholly subdued and required a
disproportionate military presence for the duration of its time as
a Roman province.
In the mid-3rd century AD Roman Britain's regional fleet, the
Classis Britannica, disappeared. It was never to return. Soon the
North Sea and English Channel were over-run by Germanic pirates
preying upon the east and south coast of Britain, and the
continental coast up to the Rhine Delta. The western augustus
(senior emperor) Maximian turned to a seasoned naval leader called
Marcus Aurelius Mausaeus Valerius Carausius to restore order. He
was so successful that Maximian accused him of pocketing the
plunder he'd recaptured, ordering his execution. The canny
Carausius moved first and in 286 usurped imperial authority,
creating a North Sea empire in northern Gaul and Britain which
lasted until 296. Dubbed the pirate king, he initially thrived,
seeing off early attempts by Maximian to defeat him. However, in
the early 290s Maximian appointed his new caesar (junior emperor),
Constantius Chlorus (the father of Constantine the Great), to
defeat Carausius. A seasoned commander, Constantius Chlorus soon
brought northern Gaul back into the imperial fold, leaving
Carausius controlling only Britain. Carausius was then assassinated
and replaced by Allectus, his treasurer. Allectus was in turn
defeated by Constantius Chlorus in AD 296 in the fourth Roman
invasion of Britain, the caesar arriving just in time to prevent
London being sacked by Allectus' Frankish mercenaries. Once more
Britain was part of the Roman Empire.
This book represents the fruit of many years of study by a well
respected author in the field. It is well written so as to be very
readable for the non-academic whilst presenting a huge, and surely
definitive, array of evidence - Roman Army Talk on Roman Military
Dress An excellent and informative book from a very knowledgeable
author - Amazon.co.uk on Roman Military Dress Gathering together
stunning artwork from Graham Sumner's impressive, expansive
portfolio, featuring never-before-seen illustrations from the
artist and reminding us of his exceptional ability to bring Ancient
Rome to life through painting, this colourful, comprehensive
anthology is a must-have for any enthusiast of the period, and of
military history in general. Introduced with a foreword by
best-selling historian and author Adrian Goldsworthy, Sumner's
beautiful colour reconstructions of Ancient Roman warriors over
time are complemented expertly with informative, enlightening text
by eminent historian and author Simon Elliott. This combination of
Sumner's illustrations and Elliott's writing leaves no stone
unturned as they divulge information about this fascinating period
of military history in mesmerising, intricate detail. Readers will
swiftly become fully immersed in this ancient world, and will leave
it with a wealth of knowledge about and a profound understanding of
the warriors of Ancient Rome, and a great appreciation for Sumner
and Elliott's expertise in the area.
In Romans at War ground-breaking research is presented in an
accessible, entertaining, and sumptuously illustrated format,
including: ā¢ A new consideration of the nature of late Roman
military leaders; the author argues they were effectively
independent warlords. ā¢ Cutting edge research regarding the
Severan campaigns to conquer Scotland in the early 3rd century AD.
ā¢ A new analysis of the nature of late Roman troops, both mounted
and foot. The Roman military machine was the pre-eminent in the
ancient world, projecting power across the known world over a vast
chronology, and an increasing huge and diverse geography. One of
the most powerful instruments of war in the history of conflict, it
proved uniquely adept at learning from setbacks, always coming back
the stronger for it. In so doing it displayed two of the most
important traits associated with the world of Rome. Firstly grit,
that key ability to remain steadfast and to overcome adversity,
even in the most challenging of circumstances, as faced for example
by the Republic in the Second Punic War against Hannibal. Secondly,
the ability to copy the successful technical and tactical
innovations of their enemies, enabling the Roman military to always
stay one step ahead of its opponents on campaign and in battle. In
this grand tour covering every aspect of the Roman military,
leading expert Dr Simon Elliott first provides a detailed
background to the Roman Republic and Empire to provide context for
all that follows. He then looks specifically at the Roman military
in its three key chronological phases: the Republic, the Principate
Empire and the Dominate Empire. Next he forensically examines
specific examples of the Roman military on campaign and in battle,
and of its engineering prowess. Finally, he examines the many
enemies faced by the Roman Republic and Empire. This all provides a
firm structure to enable the reader to come to grips with this
incredible military machine, one whose exploits still resonate in
the world to this very day.
Much has been written about the Roman army and the mighty legions
that conquered their empire and then defended it for centuries
against all comers. But little has been written about the men and
units employed when something more subtle than the march of legions
into pitched battle was required. This is the only book available
dedicated to Roman special ops and the role of the Speculatores,
Exploratores, Protectores and Areani. Simon Elliott reveals the
kinds of special operations conducted by the Romans: tactical
scouting ahead of the legions, covert strategic reconnaissance in
neighbouring states, espionage, assassination or abduction of
dissidents and enemies, counter-insurgency, and close protection of
Roman officials and commanders. While such missions were frequently
executed by ad-hoc units or individuals detailed for that specific
mission, the author goes on to reveal the evidence for the
aforementioned specialist units. He concludes with an analysis of
the extent to which these various forces corresponded to a modern
conception of Special Forces. These men were the eyes and ears of
the Empire, the deadly tip of the Roman sword.
In the annals of ancient history the lights of Alexander the Great
and Gaius Julius Caesar shine brighter than any other, inspiring
generations of dynasts and despots with their imperial exploits.
Each has been termed the greatest military leader of the ancient
world, but who actually was the best? In this new book Dr Simon
Elliott first establishes a set of criteria by which to judge the
strategic and tactical genius of both. He then considers both in
turn in brand-new, up-to-date military biographies, starting with
Alexander, undefeated in battle and conqueror of the largest empire
the world had seen by the age of 26\. Next Caesar, the man who
played the crucial role in expanding Roman territory to the size
which would later emerge as the Empire under his great nephew,
adopted son and heir Augustus. The book's detailed conclusion sets
each of their military careers against the criteria set out earlier
to finally answer the question: who was the greatest military
leader in the ancient world?
Julius Caesar has been the inspiration to countless military
commanders over the last two millennia. Born into an aristocratic
family, his early military campaigns, part of his progression along
the cursus honorum, included campaigning in the east, Spain and in
the early Roman civil wars. His participation in the Gallic Wars is
known mainly through the commentary on the wars that he wrote and
published, along with his incursions into Britain. This concise
history details his military life, and how it impacted with his
political career, from his youth through the civil wars that
resulted in his becoming the dictator of Rome, and his legacy.
The period covered by the Old Testament - beginning in
approximately 3000 BC - was one of great technological development
and innovation in warfare, as competing cultures clashed in the
ancient Middle East. The Sumerians were the first to introduce the
use of bronze into warfare, and were centuries ahead of the
Egyptians in the use of the wheel. The Assyrians developed chariot
warfare and set the standard for a new equine-based military
culture. The Babylonians had an army whose people were granted land
in return for army service. This authoritative history gives an
overview of warfare and fighting in the age of the Old Testament,
from the Akkadians, Early and Middle Kingdom Egypt and their
enemies, Mycenean and Minoan Greece and Crete, Assyrians and New
Kingdom Egyptians, the Hittites, the Sea Peoples who gave rise to
the Philistines, the Hebrew kingdom, the Babylonian kingdom, the
Medes and later Persian Empires, through to early Classical Greece.
Author Simon Elliott explores how archaeology can shed light on
events in the Bible including the famous tumbling walls of Jericho,
the career of David the boy warrior who faced the Philistines, and
Gideon, who was able to defeat an army that vastly outnumbered his
own.
Winner of Military History Monthly's 2017 Book of the Year Award
The Classis Britannica was the Roman regional fleet controlling and
protecting the waters around the British Isles - in other words,
Britain's first-ever navy. For over 200 years it played a key role
in the northern frontiers of the Roman Empire: it helped to
establish the province of Britannia and assisted in Roman military
campaigns, as well as controlling the continental coast through to
the Rhine Delta. Outside of war, the Classis Britannica also
offered vital support for the civilian infrastructure of Roman
Britain, assisting in administration, carrying out major building
and engineering projects, and running industry. Later, its
mysterious disappearance in the mid-third century ad would
contribute to Britain finally leaving the Empire 150 years later.
In Sea Eagles of Empire, acclaimed historian Simon Elliott tells
its story for the very first time.
The son of a former slave, Pertinax was the Roman Emperor who
proved that no matter how lowly your birth, you could rise to the
very top through hard work, grit and determination. Born in AD 126,
he made a late career change from working as a grammar teacher to a
position in the army. As he moved up the ranks and further along
the aristocratic cursus honorum, he took on many of the most
important postings in the Empire, from senior military roles in
fractious Britain, the Marcomannic Wars on the Danube, to the
Parthian Wars in the east. He held governorships in key provinces,
and later consulships in Rome itself. When Emperor Commodus was
assassinated on New Year's Eve AD 192/193, the Praetorian Guard
alighted on Pertinax to become the new Emperor, expecting a pliable
puppet who would favour them with great wealth. But Pertinax was
nothing of the sort and when he then attempted to reform the Guard,
he was assassinated. His death triggered the beginning of the Year
of the Five Emperors' from which Septimius Severus, Pertinax's
former mentoree, became the ultimate victor and founder of the
Severan Dynasty. This previously untold story brings a fascinating
and important figure out of the shadows. A self made everyman, a
man of principle and ambition, a role model respected by his
contemporaries who styled himself on his philosophising predecessor
and sometime champion Marcus Aurelius, Pertinax's remarkable story
offers a unique and panoramic insight into the late 2nd century AD
Principate Empire.
Legio IX Hispana had a long and active history, later founding York
from where it guarded the northern frontiers in Britain. But the
last evidence for its existence in Britain comes from AD 108\. The
mystery of their disappearance has inspired debate and imagination
for decades. The most popular theory, immortalized in Rosemary
Sutcliffe's novel _The Eagle of the Ninth_, is that the legion was
sent to fight the Caledonians in Scotland and wiped out there. But
more recent archaeology (including evidence that London was burnt
to the ground and dozens of decapitated heads) suggests a crisis,
not on the border but in the heart of the province, previously
thought to have been peaceful at this time. What if IX Hispana took
part in a rebellion, leading to their punishment, disbandment and
_damnatio memoriae_ (official erasure from the records)? This
proposed 'Hadrianic War' would then be the real context for
Hadrian's 'visit' in 122 with a whole legion, VI Victrix, which
replaced the 'vanished' IX as the garrison at York. Other theories
are that it was lost on the Rhine or Danube, or in the East. Simon
Elliott considers the evidence for these four theories, and other
possibilities.
'The order was brutal, its message unequivocal - kill the men,
women and children of what is now Scotland and don't shed a tear
for any of them.' - The Scotsman The SpectatorSince 1975 much new
archaeological evidence has come to light to illuminate the immense
undertaking of Septimius Severus' campaigns in Scotland, allowing
for the first time the true story of this savage invasion to be
told. In the early 3rd century Severus, the ageing Roman emperor,
launched an immense 'shock and awe' assault on Scotland that was so
savage it resulted in eighty years of peace at Rome's most
troublesome border. The book shows how his force of 50,000 troops,
supported by the fleet, hacked their way through the Maeatae around
the former Antonine Wall and then pressed on into Caledonian
territory up to the Moray Firth. Severus was the first of the great
reforming emperors of the Roman military, and his reforms are
explained in the context of how he concentrated power around the
imperial throne. There is also an in-depth look at the political,
economic and social developments that occurred in the Province.
This book will particularly appeal to those who are keen to learn
more about the narrative of Rome's military presence in Britain,
and especially the great campaigns of which Severus' assault on
Scotland is the best example.
This scarce antiquarian book is a selection from Kessinger
Publishing's Legacy Reprint Series. Due to its age, it may contain
imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed
pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we
have made it available as part of our commitment to protecting,
preserving, and promoting the world's literature. Kessinger
Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and
hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone!
This scarce antiquarian book is a selection from Kessinger
Publishing's Legacy Reprint Series. Due to its age, it may contain
imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed
pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we
have made it available as part of our commitment to protecting,
preserving, and promoting the world's literature. Kessinger
Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and
hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone!
|
You may like...
Harry's House
Harry Styles
CD
(1)
R267
R237
Discovery Miles 2 370
|