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  • Legion versus Phalanx

  • The Epic Struggle for Infantry Supremacy in the Ancient World
  • By: Myke Cole
  • Narrated by: Alexander Cendese
  • Length: 8 hrs and 34 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (31 ratings)
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Legion versus Phalanx

By: Myke Cole
Narrated by: Alexander Cendese
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Summary

Taking a populist approach to a serious subject, Myke Cole combines a novelist's flair for drama with an ancient historian's eye for detail to create a unique book that delves into one of the most popular areas of the Ancient World.

From the time of Ancient Sumeria, the heavy infantry phalanx dominated the battlefield. Armed with spears or pikes, standing shoulder to shoulder with shields interlocking, the men of the phalanx presented an impenetrable wall of wood and metal to the enemy. Until, that is, the Roman legion emerged to challenge them as masters of infantry battle.

Covering the period in which the legion and phalanx clashed (280 - 168 BC), Myke Cole delves into their tactics, arms and equipment, organization and deployment. Drawing on original primary sources to examine six battles in which the legion fought the phalanx - Heraclea (280 BC), Asculum (279 BC), Beneventum (275 BC), Cynoscephalae (197 BC), Magnesia (190 BC), and Pydna (168 BC) - he shows how and why the Roman legion, with its flexible organization, versatile tactics and iron discipline, came to eclipse the hitherto untouchable Hellenistic phalanx and dominate the ancient battlefield.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2018 Myke Cole (P)2018 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

What listeners say about Legion versus Phalanx

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Really well presented and easy to digest

I really wnjoy6ed this book. Not aimed too high it is easy to digest and well put together!

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Decisive reflection of tactics and justification of their use in ancient warfare between Rome and Hellenism

A very good (albeit largely militaristic) narrative of a fascinating era in ancient history. This audiobook does a very good job of making the story relatable to modern day or more recent history, and flows very nicely. The book very smartly switches effortlessly from a jaunty and humorous comparison, to a grizzly and bleak description of ancient warfare. My one criticism would be that it looks at the era through the words of a service person, and focuses less on the emotive side of the stories of these wars. However, this is disclosed early in the book, and the author makes it clear that this is his intention.

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Excellent information

Absolutely fantastic and fascinating book, the best I have come across regarding classical military history which is accessible to those interested in classical history, but are not academics in it, exactly as Myke intended it to be. Myke covers some key battles between the Ancient Greeks and Romans, and also describes the lead up and aftermath. Myke covers ancient military equipment and tactics at length, and paints a very good picture of the events he describes. Highly recommended!

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Casual yet educational

The narration is clear and engaging. The language is effortlessly digestible. The example battles are excellently described and together form a compelling story. As a whole the book is somewhat simplistic, not academically rigorous.

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Brilliant

Very accessible and interesting. Looking forward to more topics like this in military history. Good narration

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Fast, factual & entertaining.

I have read a lot about ancient warfare in the past.

I found this book short, to the point & factual.

Myke Cole offer his opinion on certain situations, but these are well thought out & not glib in anyway.

I would really recommend this book, very entertaining & an excellent read.

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