The struggle between Rome and Carthage in the Punic Wars was arguably the greatest and most desperate conflict of antiquity. The forces involved and the casualties suffered by both sides were far greater than in any wars fought before the modern era, while the eventual outcome had far-reaching consequences for the history of the Western World, namely the ascendancy of Rome. An epic of war and battle, this is also the story of famous generals and leaders: Hannibal, Fabius Maximus, Scipio Africanus, and his grandson Scipio Aemilianus, who would finally bring down the walls of Carthage.
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Book Description
The greatest conflict of antiquity, the struggle for supremacy between Rome and Carthage.
About the Author
Adrian Goldsworthy has a doctorate from Oxford University. His first book, The Roman Army at War, was recognised by John Keegan, the distinguished military historian, as an exceptionally impressive work. Dr Goldsworthy¿s book in The Cassell History of Warfare series has also been widely recognised as exceptional in opening the history of Roman warfare to the general reader. Dr Goldsworthy lives in Penarth, South Glamorgan.
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By Hugh Claffey
Format:Paperback
Adrian Goldsworthy has combined ancient sources and modern interpretations to give us a breathtaking account of the three wars which raged between Rome and its Mediterranean rival, Carthage over the course of a century. One of his strengths is his ability to describe the complex logistics and manoeuvres of the significant battles of this era. He also gives perceptive accounts of the political machinations which brought about the policies, alliances and betrayals of the period.
The most successful and effective general of the entire tale, is Hannibal, one of the Barca family, and Goldsworthy gives him his due, describing the tactics by which he invaded Rome from Spain, and humiliated legion after Roman legion. However the narrative is clear that Hannibal's invasion was a gamble - he ditched his heavier equipment in order to speed the crossing of the Alps, and arrived in Rome without the ability or inclination to capture population centres. It is here that Goldsworthy's admiration of the sheer obduracy of the Romans shines through. Hannibal, with Italy at his feet, after destroying many legions, sent negotiators to treat with Rome. To his astonishment, the negotiators were sent away, unheard. The Romans simply would not be defeated, Hannibal was impotent to take the city, and though he roamed undefeated in the Italian peninsula for many years, his enemy would not give up.
There are detailed accounts of the rise and re-election of various Roman consuls and generals, the authoritarian nature of the elected elite, and the various factions which ruled Rome. I found it interesting that those plebs who did achieve elective office and military leadership, sometimes found that while their ascent was meteoric, their lack of privileged family backround could prove their undoing when events moved against them.
It has been said that history is written by the victors, and the book is significantly less descriptive and detailed when dealing with Carthaginian affairs. However I think the spirit of the Romans shines through, their ability to describe their own society, their sheer self-belief led to their creating and leaving detailed accounts of themselves and their society in a way which was unmatched among their neighbouring societies.
Overall this is an excellent survey of the events, and contains significant pointers for a deeper study of the various elements.
The most successful and effective general of the entire tale, is Hannibal, one of the Barca family, and Goldsworthy gives him his due, describing the tactics by which he invaded Rome from Spain, and humiliated legion after Roman legion. However the narrative is clear that Hannibal's invasion was a gamble - he ditched his heavier equipment in order to speed the crossing of the Alps, and arrived in Rome without the ability or inclination to capture population centres. It is here that Goldsworthy's admiration of the sheer obduracy of the Romans shines through. Hannibal, with Italy at his feet, after destroying many legions, sent negotiators to treat with Rome. To his astonishment, the negotiators were sent away, unheard. The Romans simply would not be defeated, Hannibal was impotent to take the city, and though he roamed undefeated in the Italian peninsula for many years, his enemy would not give up.
There are detailed accounts of the rise and re-election of various Roman consuls and generals, the authoritarian nature of the elected elite, and the various factions which ruled Rome. I found it interesting that those plebs who did achieve elective office and military leadership, sometimes found that while their ascent was meteoric, their lack of privileged family backround could prove their undoing when events moved against them.
It has been said that history is written by the victors, and the book is significantly less descriptive and detailed when dealing with Carthaginian affairs. However I think the spirit of the Romans shines through, their ability to describe their own society, their sheer self-belief led to their creating and leaving detailed accounts of themselves and their society in a way which was unmatched among their neighbouring societies.
Overall this is an excellent survey of the events, and contains significant pointers for a deeper study of the various elements.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By S. Davidson
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I enjoyed reading this book perhaps more than any other book on the Roman Republic and the ancient world. I pondered at first whether it was simply the epic story of the clash between Rome and Carthage that I enjoyed, or if it was down to Mr Goldsworthy's excellent portrayal of events; I have decided that it is probably both.
This war offers a story like no other in my opinion. The scale of the conflict is staggering, even by today's standards; some of the casualty figures seen in the Second Punic War were scarce repeated in history, even during the carnage of the 1914-18 war. And quite how Rome managed to turn the tide of a war that was effectively lost after a catastrophic defeat in 216 BC likewise beggars belief.
These early times of the Roman Republic are fascinating for all readers, not least those with an historical interest; and, as Goldsworthy notes, it is a shame that teachings of the ancient world are not included on the school national curriculum.
Perhaps Goldsworthy's biggest success with this book is that he presents the Punic Wars to the average reader, meaning that this work is not targeting a small scholarly audience. Though while on this point I should perhaps mention that the book does not discuss the differing opinions of various historians, which are crucial for academic readers.
This war offers a story like no other in my opinion. The scale of the conflict is staggering, even by today's standards; some of the casualty figures seen in the Second Punic War were scarce repeated in history, even during the carnage of the 1914-18 war. And quite how Rome managed to turn the tide of a war that was effectively lost after a catastrophic defeat in 216 BC likewise beggars belief.
These early times of the Roman Republic are fascinating for all readers, not least those with an historical interest; and, as Goldsworthy notes, it is a shame that teachings of the ancient world are not included on the school national curriculum.
Perhaps Goldsworthy's biggest success with this book is that he presents the Punic Wars to the average reader, meaning that this work is not targeting a small scholarly audience. Though while on this point I should perhaps mention that the book does not discuss the differing opinions of various historians, which are crucial for academic readers.
19 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By Paul Donovan
Format:Paperback
Adrian Goldsworthy provides an entertaining and accessible account of the Punic Wars, which those with no classical education should find an interesting read. Goldsworthy himself points out the fact that the British education system would have rendered this account unnecessary fifty years ago, but the decline of Latin as a school subject has left a generation (at least) unfamiliar with this long conflict.
Goldsworthy attempts to identify the facts of the battles as distinct from the conjecture, and is at pains to point out the limits of knowledge today (even with the benefits of archaeology to help lift some of the uncertainty). He also makes it clear that we must regard the sources as being tainted from the victor's perspective - for of course no Punic accounts of the conflicts survive. He uses general knowledge of the period to explain the context in which the wars were taking place, and how the changes in technology led to changes in the way in which war was being carried out.
This well-rounded account is supplemented with maps of the several of the battles, facilitating comprehension. However, there are no diagrams or pictures of other aspects of the time (a reproduction of a Trireme, for instance would have been a useful supplement to the lengthy descriptions of the text). This omission aside, the book is a good general read, going beyond a simple recitation of events, which serves to put the wars in an appropriate context.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
The greatest detail
I would like to review two books, Richard Miles' Carthage Must Be Destroyed and Adrian Goldsworthy's The Fall of Carthage. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Boyd Hone
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Fall of Carthage
I enjoyed this history - very readable yet informative.
After an initial introduction the book is split into three parts ie the three punic wars. Read more
After an initial introduction the book is split into three parts ie the three punic wars. Read more
Published on 18 April 2011 by SixofCups
4.0 out of 5 stars
superlative treatment of the moment when Rome became an Empire
I think that Adrian Goldsworthy is the best popular historian on Rome working today. While he has a beautiful writing style, he also is thoroughly versed in the scholarly issues,... Read more
Published on 12 April 2011 by rob crawford
5.0 out of 5 stars
just great!
Adrian Goldsworthy is by far one of my favourite authors and own all of his books... all of which amaze me with their descriptions of their subject matter but are also very easy to... Read more
Published on 8 Aug 2010 by rob_hawke
4.0 out of 5 stars
Almost The Definitive Work
Almost, but not quite is how I would describe this Adrian Goldsworthy history of the three Punic Wars. Saying that, you won't get better at the moment. Read more
Published on 1 April 2010 by Filthy Raider
5.0 out of 5 stars
Detailed account of a long, ultimately vicious conflict
The evolution of an ultimately vicious conflict between two city states who seem to have had a few things on common, in terms of constitution at least. Read more
Published on 20 July 2009 by H. Julian
5.0 out of 5 stars
Probably the best book about the Punic wars
Saying that this is the best book on the subject is quite assumptive, seeing as I haven't read any other book regarding the Punic wars, but the book was just so entertaining and... Read more
Published on 6 Jun 2009 by Albert Wesker
4.0 out of 5 stars
A very good book
The Fall of Carthage is a very good book by Adrian Goldsworthy dealing with the three Punic Wars between Carthage and Rome. Read more
Published on 23 Mar 2009 by HBH
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