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History of the Art of War #2
The Barbarian Invasions: History of the Art of War, Volume II
Moral decadence did not contribute to the fall of the Roman Empire, but political instability that was most strongly reflected in a weakened army did, writes Hans Delbrück in volume 2 of History of the Art of War. The rise of sectionalism and the constant overthrowing of emperors left the empire without a secure superior authority demanding the loyalty of the legions and without the money to support them. Delbrück’s celebrated work traces the collapse of the Roman military system and its replacement with barbarian mercenaries by the fourth century, following the invasions by the Germanic peoples.The Barbarian Invasions opens with a discussion of the military organization of the early German tribes, compares it with that of the early Roman legions, and goes on to show how tactics and strategies changed after entire peoples such as the Goths, Vandals, and Burgundians migrated to Roman soil and formed an uneasy alliance with the Romans. It ends with an examination of the decline of the Germanic-Romanic military system in the Middle Ages and the rise of the feudal system.
This Bison Book edition marks the first appearance in paperback of the English translation of volume 2 by Walter J. Renfroe Jr.
This Bison Book edition marks the first appearance in paperback of the English translation of volume 2 by Walter J. Renfroe Jr.
506 pages, Paperback
First published August 22, 1980
291 people want to read
About the author
Hans Delbrück
231 books33 followersGerman historian who looked at military history in the context of world history.
Sat in the Reichstag, was Professor of History at the University of Berlin and was a member of the German delegation to the Versailles Peace Conference after the First World War.
Sat in the Reichstag, was Professor of History at the University of Berlin and was a member of the German delegation to the Versailles Peace Conference after the First World War.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 28, 2012
Author refers to this volume as the "most important" of the series.
Coverage extends from Teutoberg Forest to Tours, though the latter is cursory (for want of reliable source material). Describes the height of the Roman system, its transition and destruction, replacement by a Germanic-Romanic system, its transition and destruction--leading into volume III, regarding the medieval period & feudalism.
Bloody excellent all around. Follows his standard model: chapter text lays out his thesis, with notes, and lengthy excursus for each chapter, where he quibbles with other authorities, i.e., proves that his rivals are dumbasses.
We recall that the central thesis of Volume I was that ancient armies won because they outnumbered the enemy, and that the Romans excelled principally in logistics: getting more guys to the point of crisis than the other side. That system is explained herein as failing because the Roman economy slipped back to a barter system, which destroyed the logistics.
It's good times. Go read now.
Coverage extends from Teutoberg Forest to Tours, though the latter is cursory (for want of reliable source material). Describes the height of the Roman system, its transition and destruction, replacement by a Germanic-Romanic system, its transition and destruction--leading into volume III, regarding the medieval period & feudalism.
Bloody excellent all around. Follows his standard model: chapter text lays out his thesis, with notes, and lengthy excursus for each chapter, where he quibbles with other authorities, i.e., proves that his rivals are dumbasses.
We recall that the central thesis of Volume I was that ancient armies won because they outnumbered the enemy, and that the Romans excelled principally in logistics: getting more guys to the point of crisis than the other side. That system is explained herein as failing because the Roman economy slipped back to a barter system, which destroyed the logistics.
It's good times. Go read now.
October 2, 2023
An excellent, academic dive into the "Völkerwanderung".
September 28, 2016
More overall history and its impact on the military than tactical and strategic option discussions. This is likely due to our not knowing as much about this lengthy period of human history and having to deal with obviously inaccurate military works.
Delbruck does a fine job of concluding that ancient writers vastly overestimated the size of barbarian hordes. They simply could not have been that huge. Further, the head count in individual battles had to have been closer to parity than ancient writers wrote.
His other major point of interest is the rise of mounted archers in the form of cataphracts. His analysis is that army size actually declined so a mobile force was required. Thus cataphracts fought as dragoons rather than knights with lances.
Not as interesting as other volumes in his series, there is still enough here for those interested in ancient military matters.
Delbruck does a fine job of concluding that ancient writers vastly overestimated the size of barbarian hordes. They simply could not have been that huge. Further, the head count in individual battles had to have been closer to parity than ancient writers wrote.
His other major point of interest is the rise of mounted archers in the form of cataphracts. His analysis is that army size actually declined so a mobile force was required. Thus cataphracts fought as dragoons rather than knights with lances.
Not as interesting as other volumes in his series, there is still enough here for those interested in ancient military matters.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews