Book description
How did the Romans build and maintain one of the most powerful and stable empires in the history of the world? This book draws on the literature, especially the historiography, composed by the members of the elite who conducted Roman foreign affairs. From this evidence, Susan P. Mattern reevaluates the…
Why read it?
1 author picked Rome and the Enemy as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
Mattern’s book is as much about Roman attitudes and mindset as it is about warfare.
Even though planning and implementing “strategy” is sometimes seen as a modern thing, clearly the Romans had one, though, as Mattern phrases it, was more akin to our stereotypes of the mafia: Rome wanted respect more than anything, and went to great lengths to ensure it received it. The Romans and their empire had an incredibly long memory, and they didn’t forget slights.
When a people or country dissed the Romans in some way, Rome came after them, even if doing so took decades.
From Laurence's list on The best books on premodern western warfare.
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