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Ancient Warfare and Civilization
Mastering the West: Rome and Carthage at War
To say the Punic Wars (264-146 BC) were a turning point in world history is a vast understatement. This bloody and protracted conflict pitted two flourishing Mediterranean powers against one another, leaving one an unrivalled giant and the other a literal pile of ash. To later observers, a collision between these civilizations seemed inevitable and yet to the Romans and Carthaginians at the time hostilities first erupted seemingly out of nowhere, with what were expected to be inconsequential results.
Mastering the West offers a thoroughly engrossing narrative of this century of battle in the western Mediterranean, while treating a full range of themes: the antagonists' military, naval, economic, and demographic resources; the political structures of both republics; and the postwar impact of the conflicts on the participants and victims. The narrative also investigates questions of leadership and the contributions and mistakes of leaders like Hannibal, Fabius the Delayer, Scipio Africanus, Masinissa, and Scipio Aemilianus. Dexter Hoyos, a leading expert of the period, treats the two great powers evenly, without neglecting the important roles played by Syracuse, Macedon, and especially Numidia.
Written with verve in a clear, accessible style, with a range of illustrations and newly-commissioned maps, Mastering the West will be the most reliable and engaging narrative of this pivotal era in ancient history.
Mastering the West offers a thoroughly engrossing narrative of this century of battle in the western Mediterranean, while treating a full range of themes: the antagonists' military, naval, economic, and demographic resources; the political structures of both republics; and the postwar impact of the conflicts on the participants and victims. The narrative also investigates questions of leadership and the contributions and mistakes of leaders like Hannibal, Fabius the Delayer, Scipio Africanus, Masinissa, and Scipio Aemilianus. Dexter Hoyos, a leading expert of the period, treats the two great powers evenly, without neglecting the important roles played by Syracuse, Macedon, and especially Numidia.
Written with verve in a clear, accessible style, with a range of illustrations and newly-commissioned maps, Mastering the West will be the most reliable and engaging narrative of this pivotal era in ancient history.
360 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2015
21 people are currently reading
384 people want to read
About the author
Dexter Hoyos
22 books7 followersDexter Hoyos is retired Associate Professor of Classics and Ancient History at the University of Sydney, Australia. His many books include, most recently, Hannibal: Rome's Greatest Enemy, The Carthaginians, A Companion to the Punic Wars, Livy: Rome's Italian Wars (with J. C. Yardley), and A Companion to Roman Imperialism.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 5, 2016
This is an even-handed, careful narrative history of the Punic Wars. The book avoids Roman flag-waving, and frequently considers the Carthaginian perspective. I prefer this to books that lose themselves in quasi-nationalistic Roman fervor. This book also avoids getting too lost in the biographies of its main characters. I don't mind that type of history, but it definitely distracts from the historian's main goal. This is a great book to keep yourself abreast of current scholarship if you are a fan of Roman history, and it's not a bad book to delve into the history of this period if you are less familiar, although it is a bit dry and slow-going.
This book has the usual trouble of toeing the line between popular history and scholarly work. This is clearly the result of a lifetime of careful scholarship on the part of the author, but it also only really deals with many historical matters in general terms. The book features helpful maps and charts, a detailed timeline of events, a glossary of terms, an appendix describing the sources for this period, and a short, sparse collection of endnotes with references to primary and secondary sources.
I wouldn't have minded if the endnotes were more detailed. The book frequently describes the various possible interpretations for an event and explains which it thinks is correct, but it could have given a more full access to scholarly debates and passages of primary sources in the endnotes.
I have a few more gripes, although I did really like the book and hate to make the majority of my review a negative critique. Nevertheless, I felt a sad omission of this text is its lack of a glossary of names. I don't mind the lack of potted biographies in the text, but it would help to be able to flip to the back and read a paragraph about major figures. This would be problematic for the literally dozens of Carthaginians named Hanno, Hasdrubal, Hamilcar, etc, but it also might make it easier to tell them all apart! Another puzzling omission in the books is the lack of charts for any battle after Cannae. This seems like a arbitrary stopping point. The detail of the charts for this and earlier battles is admirable, but I would have loved to see this part of the book be more complete.
I suppose it is actually a strong praise of a book to finish it and want more. This history of the Punic Wars will definitely do that, and it may spark you to read deeper into one of many different sources. In addition to the ancient historians that figure prominently in the narrative, this text also frequently refers to feats of engineering, coins, works of art, and just a bit of political science. You'll finish this ready to jump into the next exciting period of Rome's history.
This book has the usual trouble of toeing the line between popular history and scholarly work. This is clearly the result of a lifetime of careful scholarship on the part of the author, but it also only really deals with many historical matters in general terms. The book features helpful maps and charts, a detailed timeline of events, a glossary of terms, an appendix describing the sources for this period, and a short, sparse collection of endnotes with references to primary and secondary sources.
I wouldn't have minded if the endnotes were more detailed. The book frequently describes the various possible interpretations for an event and explains which it thinks is correct, but it could have given a more full access to scholarly debates and passages of primary sources in the endnotes.
I have a few more gripes, although I did really like the book and hate to make the majority of my review a negative critique. Nevertheless, I felt a sad omission of this text is its lack of a glossary of names. I don't mind the lack of potted biographies in the text, but it would help to be able to flip to the back and read a paragraph about major figures. This would be problematic for the literally dozens of Carthaginians named Hanno, Hasdrubal, Hamilcar, etc, but it also might make it easier to tell them all apart! Another puzzling omission in the books is the lack of charts for any battle after Cannae. This seems like a arbitrary stopping point. The detail of the charts for this and earlier battles is admirable, but I would have loved to see this part of the book be more complete.
I suppose it is actually a strong praise of a book to finish it and want more. This history of the Punic Wars will definitely do that, and it may spark you to read deeper into one of many different sources. In addition to the ancient historians that figure prominently in the narrative, this text also frequently refers to feats of engineering, coins, works of art, and just a bit of political science. You'll finish this ready to jump into the next exciting period of Rome's history.
August 8, 2017
A rich, well-written history of the Punic Wars, with a useful maps and great renditions of the battles and campaigns. The narrative is lively and Hoyos' research is thorough, so the book should satisfy both specialists and general readers.
Although Carthage had throughout their history cooperated with Rome in various commercial, diplomatic, and military ventures, Hoyos puts everything into the right context to make their repeated wars understandable to the general reader. Although many of the battles of the era have captured the imagination, Hoyos describes everything in a plain, unsensational style, and he has a good command of the source material (he is particularly critical of Livy).
Hoyos highlights all of the scholarly debates surrounding the wars without bogging down in academic prose or hammering any of his arguments too hard. He does offer some conclusions but never in a tedious fashion. Hoyos also argues convincingly that Roman victory was not inevitable given Carthage’s financial resources, manpower, and qualified leadership. The only quibbles with the book are some odd statements that must have slipped past the editor: “their wars had in any case been more military than naval” or “Livy’s at times nebulous though narrative.”
A careful, lively history that should be both readable and accessible for specialists and general readers.
Although Carthage had throughout their history cooperated with Rome in various commercial, diplomatic, and military ventures, Hoyos puts everything into the right context to make their repeated wars understandable to the general reader. Although many of the battles of the era have captured the imagination, Hoyos describes everything in a plain, unsensational style, and he has a good command of the source material (he is particularly critical of Livy).
Hoyos highlights all of the scholarly debates surrounding the wars without bogging down in academic prose or hammering any of his arguments too hard. He does offer some conclusions but never in a tedious fashion. Hoyos also argues convincingly that Roman victory was not inevitable given Carthage’s financial resources, manpower, and qualified leadership. The only quibbles with the book are some odd statements that must have slipped past the editor: “their wars had in any case been more military than naval” or “Livy’s at times nebulous though narrative.”
A careful, lively history that should be both readable and accessible for specialists and general readers.
November 3, 2021
Interesting examination of an ancient clash of empires.
June 1, 2019
Military History of the Punic Wars
While I had some knowledge of the Punic Wars going into this books, I was surprised by how deep the connection between the two rival powers was. They shared a similar republican government (dominated by an elite few). They even shared a common reliance upon Greek culture.
That said, the book does an excellent job of describing the commanders and strategies of each side across the three wars. The author also points out critical “what if” moments that may have altered the events of history. Thinking about sometimes even minor changes in initiative that could have changed the strategic balance is fascinating.
The book early on gives us some demographic data about the human cost in waging war on such a scale and for so many years. But the focus here is really on the armies and commanders rather than on economics or sociological aspects of the wars.
Anyone interested in a blow-by-blow account of the Mediterranean superpowers’ struggle for domination will find a gripping narrative between these covers.
While I had some knowledge of the Punic Wars going into this books, I was surprised by how deep the connection between the two rival powers was. They shared a similar republican government (dominated by an elite few). They even shared a common reliance upon Greek culture.
That said, the book does an excellent job of describing the commanders and strategies of each side across the three wars. The author also points out critical “what if” moments that may have altered the events of history. Thinking about sometimes even minor changes in initiative that could have changed the strategic balance is fascinating.
The book early on gives us some demographic data about the human cost in waging war on such a scale and for so many years. But the focus here is really on the armies and commanders rather than on economics or sociological aspects of the wars.
Anyone interested in a blow-by-blow account of the Mediterranean superpowers’ struggle for domination will find a gripping narrative between these covers.
July 3, 2018
Really, this was fine, but I'm not sure the author knows who his audience is. A lot of it is basic narrative, suggesting a fairly popular audience, but he also interweaves into it the results of a long academic career studying the Punic Wars and Carthage. The nitty-gritty arguments are lost on a general audience, but too often in the narrative he refers to famous episodes or alludes to aspects of Roman culture that only an expert (or semi-expert like myself) would know what he is referring to. It also doesn't quite engage with the personalities that litter this history, which could have really livened up the narrative, and his effort to fill in the gaps left by our sources with lots of what ifs rubbed me the wrong way.
November 18, 2024
Kronik peperangan dua kekuatan, Roma dan Kartago, untuk memperebutkan kedigdayaan atas Laut Tengah. Sangat menarik, karena tidak hanya menarasikan sejarah dari bagaimana Peperangan Punik terjadi tapi Dexter Hoyos juga mendalami hal-hal yang jarang diperhatikan. Dari struktur terkesan sederhana, tapi banyak analisa Hoyos yang tajam di setiap sudut narasi. Paling seneng ketika Hoyos menjelaskan kekesalannya dengan banyak keputusan militer baik dari kubu Roma maupun Kartago. Memang jadi terkesan dia terlalu mengabaikan privilese 'hindsight' sejarawan, tapi bagus sih, apalagi setelah baca kitab sejarahnya Titus Livius. 5/5
July 23, 2023
A look at the Punic Wars from (261-146) The author takes you through the battles on land and sea, along with all of the struggles on both sides. he goes over the leaders and mistakes and or positive things they did in battle and the outcome and how it affected both sides. The author does a good job of not getting caught up with the whole Roman narrative positive or negative which happens at times. Overall a good book.
January 1, 2022
Well-written, succinct overview of the Punic Wars, with enlightening analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, good and poor leadership of both the Romans and Carthaginians, plus clever commentary of the ancient sources.
March 12, 2023
It’s great read but there are points I disagree with the author for example when he did not blame Carthage for stabbing Hannibal in the back
Still and interesting perspective in spite that I don’t agree.
Still and interesting perspective in spite that I don’t agree.
April 14, 2021
A good introduction to the Punic wars, and also to the historical sources. At times it can get a bit tiresome and confusing as the author take us through all the elections for Roman public offices.
May 9, 2024
Interesting history of the Punic Wars…the wars between Carthage and Rome on who would be the next great super empire.
Read
March 30, 2016I had high hopes that were not really met for Carthage Must Be Destroyed: The Rise and Fall of an Ancient Civilization (in fact, I was so bored I didn't even manage to come up with a review for it, but here's the one-sentence version: Just okay.) Luckily, my second attempt at the material was this book, which is much better, sticking with the material quite well. It covers the dispute between Rome and Carthage starting with the Mamertines in Sicily asking both cities for help down through Carthage being razed to the ground (spoiler alert). Parts of the military history can be slightly dry, but that's really my only complaint; in general this is an excellent history of the entire conflict.
Grade: A-
Grade: A-
April 14, 2024
Honestly, I found this book very disappointing. I've heard good things about Hoyos's scholarship (especially around the Carthaginians), and was hoping for a deep unpacking of the Punic Wars with some deep analysis on the Carthaginian perspective.
Instead, this book reads like the dryest of military histories -- it's basically just a narrative of who marched where and who defeated whom in various fights. Perhaps an academic would find this kind of reconstruction interesting, but I don't think Hoyos does a good job of establishing why anyone should care about such a dry retelling. Hoyos does sprinkle in some interesting analysis of various personalities and motivations, but I really wanted more analysis on the *societies* involved in the Punic wars rather than just the armies themselves.
Instead, this book reads like the dryest of military histories -- it's basically just a narrative of who marched where and who defeated whom in various fights. Perhaps an academic would find this kind of reconstruction interesting, but I don't think Hoyos does a good job of establishing why anyone should care about such a dry retelling. Hoyos does sprinkle in some interesting analysis of various personalities and motivations, but I really wanted more analysis on the *societies* involved in the Punic wars rather than just the armies themselves.
March 20, 2015
Review by Sarah: Informative to say the least. I learned so many things I didn't know or understand before. This book is deeply researched then written so that anyone can understand it and learn from it. I would like to see this book at a library or a school. I like the layout and the pictures.
We received an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
We received an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 31, 2016
Well-written and concise. While it could be a bit dry at time, the analysis and comparison of multiple sources was good. I thoroughly enjoyed the authors speculation of events due to inconsistent narratives from historians, giving credible reasons for doubting Roman propaganda levied against Carthage during the Punic Wars by the Roman people. Definitely an informative book.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews