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Ancient Battle Formations Hardcover – September 22, 2020

by Justin Swanton (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 70 ratings
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A careful study of the Greek and Latin sources that shed fresh light on how these formations were organized, reevaluating many conventional notions and leading to some surprising conclusions.

Justin Swanton examines the principal battle-winning formations of the Ancient world, determining their composition, function and efficacy. An introductory chapter looks at the fundamental components of the principal battle formations of heavy and light infantry, cavalry, elephants and chariots, showing how they bolstered the individual's soldier's willingness to fight.

The rest of the book focuses on massed infantry that reigned supreme in this era: the heavily armored Greek hoplite phalanx that was immune to the weaponry of its non-Greek opponents; the Macedonian pike phalanx that was unbeatable against frontal attacks so long as it kept order; the Roman triplex acies which, contrary to popular opinion, consisted of continuous lines in open order, with file spaces wide enough to allow embattled infantry to fall back after which those files closed up instantly against the enemy.

A careful study of the Greek and Latin of the sources sheds fresh light on how these formations were organized and worked, reevaluating many conventional notions and leading to some surprising conclusions.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    320 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Pen and Sword Military
  4. Publication date
    September 22, 2020
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 1.1 x 9.3 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1526740060
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1526740069
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Ancient Battle Formations is a substantial scholarly yet easily readable study of the primary and most effective military formations utilized from the 2nd Persian invasion of Greece until the end of Principate in 2 AD. In conclusion, this book is both important for its thoroughly researched, original and well-argued historical conclusions and an enjoyable read. Highly recommended."
Prof. F Noel Zaal (BA, LLB University of Natal, LLM Durban-Westville, LLM Columbia, PhD Wits)

“The book has enough information to please the history lover, wargamer, and the military modeler all in one concise volume.”
A Wargamers Needful Things

About the Author

A long-standing member of the Society of Ancients, Justin Swanton has been studying ancient warfare many years, making a close reading of ancient battle accounts in the original Greek and Latin. He is editor of _Slingshot_, the journal of the Society of Ancients, and is a graphic designer by profession, hence the striking diagrams that accompany his writing. He is a keen wargamer in his spare time and has published one novel set in late Antiquity. Justin lives in Durban, South Africa.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pen and Sword Military (September 22, 2020)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1526740060
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1526740069
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.85 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.1 x 9.3 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 70 ratings

About the author

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Justin Swanton

Justin Swanton

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Justin Swanton has had a variegated life that he might just one day be tempted to tell you about. For now, he lives in Durban, South Africa, works in a small printing firm as gopher who is motivated by being called 'manager', and has written one serious novel and a couple of funny books for children. He thinks the serious novel is really good and wonders why the rest of the world doesn't think so too, though he's not prepared to sell the film rights as that would really bury it (look what happened to The Sound of Music). This doesn't cause him to lose any sleep as there is not a snowball's chance of anyone wanting to make a movie out of it.

He is Catholic, married, likes Natal's warm weather but not the mosquitoes, and reminisces fondly about his childhood in Rhodesia, when the RLI and good old Smithy were going to show the world a thing or two. He could tell you lots more but that is about as much as a visitor here is prepared to read.

Oh, yes. His serious book, Centurion's Daughter, has a website at https://sites.google.com/site/centurionsdaughter. Worth a look.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
70 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Superb
Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2023
Verified Purchase
Liked his review of the translations of the Latin texts to explain the the Roman tactical formation changes. Earlier books I have read on this had all been weak on this, Swanton has done great original thinking.
4 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Ancient Battle Formations
Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2023
Verified Purchase
From what I have reviewed of the book so far the information supplied is based on data that is gleaned on available text and based on fact not supposition. I would say I have a general understanding of Roman History of the first century. This covers more than this era about the Roman Army. This probably would not be my first book I would use to researchabout the Army but I would say that it worth getting at some point for your library or at least the kindle edition. I have tried for over 6 months to get a good used copy of this book and could not find one; this tells me two things: 1. if you buy this book you will not get rid of it. 2. Because there are no used copies it is probably fairly reliable.
3 people found this helpful
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Dennis J. Ulrich
5.0 out of 5 stars Good Info
Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2021
Verified Purchase
Good info, well presented
One person found this helpful
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chin yin keat
4.0 out of 5 stars Good read
Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2023
Verified Purchase
Detailed information as i believed the author has done significant research and study. Buy and read the book! You will not regret
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Markley E.R. Drake
5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting
Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2022
Verified Purchase
The book fills in gaps that other books have regarding the actual battle formations and how they worked. Good read, great illustrations
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Paul mccafferty
5.0 out of 5 stars Really enjoyable
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 13, 2021
Verified Purchase
Good lots of information about battle formations
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Kayt Elen
5.0 out of 5 stars Full of information and facts
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 13, 2021
Verified Purchase
A must for military historians
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