Books with title Ancient Weapons

A groundbreaking study of the weaponry used in combat thousands of years ago. Few accounts of ancient warfare have looked at how the weapons were made and how they were actually used in combat. Logan Thompson's pioneering survey traces the evolution of weapons in Britain across three thousand years, from the Bronze Age to the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Insights gained from painstaking practical research and technical analysis shed new light on the materials used, the processes of manufacture, the development of the weapons, and their effectiveness. His account features new information about the weapons themselves and their origin and design—as well as a fascinating new perspective on the practice of early warfare.

Few accounts of ancient warfare have looked at how the weapons were made and how they were actually used in combat. Logan Thompson's pioneering survey traces the evolution of weapons in Britain across 3000 years, from the Bronze Age to the Norman conquest, and he investigates the performance of these arms in action. Insights gained from painstaking practical research and technical analysis shed new light on the materials used, the processes of manufacture, the development of the weapons and their effectiveness in battle. He assesses the swords, daggers, axes, javelins, spears, bows, helmets and shields that were used for aggression, defense and display throughout the period. His account features new information about the weapons themselves, their origin and design, and it offers a fascinating new perspective on the practice of early warfare. A minute examination of the earliest edged weapons that survive from the Bronze and Iron Ages is followed by an analysis of the simple Roman sword and javelin that were wielded so successfully by the highly disciplined and well-trained Roman army. The author considers the array of arms -especially swords, axes, throwing axes and daggers -that were used in Britain after the departure of the Romans. He describes the arms favored by the Vikings, especially the spear and the single- handed double-edged sword that played a key role in their raids and conquests. Later weapons, produced by the Anglo- Saxon and Norman armorers in the centuries before the Norman conquest, are assessed and placed in the long sequence of weapons' evolution that can be traced back into prehistory. The study culminates in a close analysis of the arms, the tactics and the experience of close combat during the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Logan Thompson's Ancient Weapons in Britain is the culmination of many years of intense research into early arms, armor and warfare. He has carried out extensive studies of weapons for British museums. He has also published widely in academic journals and military magazines -including History Today, Man at Arms (USA), British Army Review, Military fllustrated, Classic Arms & Militaria, Antique Arms and The Surrey Archaeological Collections Journal. He has written two books -Guns in Colour and Daggers and Bayonets: A History.

Contents include: Who were the Romans?; Warrior republic; Wars of conquest; Revolt of the slaves; Imperial legions; Special forces; Cavalry; The Roman soldier; Armor and weapons; On the march; The army abroad; The invaders; Siege warfare; Fortresses of Rome; Guarding the frontiers; Controlling the sea; Rowing into battle; Rome victorious; Decline and fall of the Roman army; Studying the Romans at war.

Why were ancient Greek armies so successful? What weapons did they use? How were ancient Greek soldiers trained? Who did the ancient Greeks fight in their wars? How were Spartan soldiers different from Athenian soldiers? ‘Ancient Greek War and Weapons’ answers these questions and more. Find out what we know about ancient Greek war, weapons, and soldiers and, looking at historical evidence, find out how and why we know it.

A topic-based approach to a great civilization, the books in this series each cover a different aspect of that civilization. The history in these books explores how people lived and draws out what our own society has learned from Ancient Greece. The titles focus on primary sources and what they tell us about people, events and changes. This title explores war and weapons in Ancient Greece.

A topic based approach to a great civilisation through five books, each covering a different aspect of that civilisation. The history in these books explores how people lived and draws out what our own society has learnt from the ancient civilisation. Focuses on primary sources and what they tell us about people, events and changes in the society in question. Each book contains: - further reading and websites - glossary and index