On Ancient Warfare: Perspectives on Aspects of War in Antiquity 4000 BC to AD 637 [Hardcover]

While specialists in ancient military history may find much of Gabriels treatment familiar, and may or may not agree with some of his conclusions, On Ancient Warfare is certainly an excellent read for the relative novice.  The NYMAS ReviewRichard Gabriel has been studying and writing about ancient warfare for nearly half a century. He has written fifty-five books on the subject (before this one) and over three hundred published articles. These decades of scholarship are complemented by direct military experience as a US army officer (now retired).This book presents his thoughts and perspectives on a selection of aspects of ancient warfare that he has found of particular interest over the years. It does not aim to be a comprehensive overview nor a coherent narrative of ancient military history but adds up to an illuminating, fascinating and wide-ranging discussion of various topics. With topics ranging from the origins of war, through logistics, military medicine and psychiatry or the origins of jihad, to specifics such as the generalship of Alexander the Great (Gabriels not a fan), Scipio and Hannibal, there is plenty here for the either the general reader or academic scholar.Richard Gabriel has been studying and writing about ancient warfare for nearly half a century. He has written fifty-five books on the subject (before this one) and over three hundred published articles. These decades of scholarship are complemented by direct military experience as a US army officer (now retired). This book presents his thoughts andRichard Gabriel has studied ancient warfare for nearly half a century and written 55 books and over 300 articles on various aspects of the subject. He is also a former soldier and teacher at various US and Canadian military colleges.Each chapter contains Professor Gabriels thinking on an aspect of ancient military history, selected for significance or interest.The following are just some of the subjects discussed:The Origins of WarDeath, Wounds,lC)