Osprey Essential Histories Compellation 5 : The Greeks at War : From Athens to Alexander

Inspiring generations of poets, novelists, scriptwriters and scholars, the rise and fall of the great Empires of the Classical world is an enthralling story of passion and conquest. The leaders, battles and military technologies that dominated the wars between Greece and Persia, and Alexander's conquests are all examined in detail in this book, and their historical significance is discussed. The appendix focuses on the modern treatment of Ancient Greece in film, including behind-the-scenes insights into the filming of battle scenes for Oliver Stone's epic movie, Alexander the Great. Text by Philip de Souza, Waldemar Heckel and Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones.

Contents

• Foreword

• The Greek and Persian Wars 499-386 BC
• Introduction
• Chronology
• Background to War
• Warring Sides
• Outbreak
• The Fighting
• Portrait of a Soldier
• The World around War
• Portrait of a Civilian
• How the War Ended
• Conclusion and Consequences

• The Peloponnesian War 431-404 BC
• Introduction
• Chronology
• Background to War : The Rise of Athens
• Warring Sides : Athens and Sparta
• Outbreak : Fear and Suspicion lead to War
• The Fighting : The First Twenty Years
• Portrait of a Soldier : A Ship's Captain at War
• The World around War : Politics and Culture
• Portrait of a Civilian : Hipparete, an Athenian Citizen Woman
• How the War Ended : The Fall of Athens
• Conclusion and Consequences : The Triumph of Sparta?
• Further Reading
• Index

• The Wars of Alexander the Great 336-323 BC
• Introduction
• Chronology
• Background to War : The Decline of the City-States and the Rise of Macedonia
• Warring Sides : The Persians, the Macedonians and Allied Troops
• Outbreak : Alexander's Rise to Power
• The Fighting : Alexander Conquers an Empire
• Portrait of a Soldier : Two Generals and a Satrap
• The World around War : Rome, Carthage and India
• Portrait of a Civilian : A Historian, Athletes and Courtesans
• How the War Ended : The Death of Alexander
• Conclusion and Consequences : The Struggle for Succession
• Further reading
• Glossary
• Index

• Bibliography
• Appendix : Representation of the Ancient Greeks in Film and Theatre
• Index