Barry Strauss, a professor of history and classics at Cornell University, stands as a leading authority on ancient military history. His writing delves into pivotal military conflicts and their commanders, dissecting strategies and the lasting impact of battles on the classical world. Strauss brings the drama and nuance of these formative wars to life for readers with an engaging and insightful approach.
"The story of one of history's most decisive and yet little known battles, the Battle of Actium in 31 BC, which brought together Antony and Cleopatra on one side and Octavian, soon to be emperor Augustus, on the other, and whose outcome determined the future of the Roman Empire"-- Provided by publisher
In this essential and "enlightening" (The New York Times Book Review) work, Barry Strauss tells the story of the Roman Empire from rise to reinvention, from Augustus, who founded the empire, to Constantine, who made it Christian and moved the capital east to Constantinople. During these centuries Rome gained in splendour and territory, then lost both. By the fourth century, the time of Constantine, the Roman Empire had changed so dramatically in geography, ethnicity, religion, and culture that it would have been virtually unrecognisable to Augustus. Rome's legacy remains today in so many ways, from language, law, and architecture to the seat of the Roman Catholic Church. Strauss examines this enduring heritage through the lives of the men who shaped it: Augustus, Tiberius, Nero, Vespasian, Trajan, Hadrian, Marcus Aurelius, Septimius Severus, Diocletian, and Constantine. Over the ages, they learned to maintain the family business the government of an empire by adapting when necessary and always persevering no matter the cost
The story of the most famous assassination in history, dramatically narrated in the historical context of Rome's ongoing civil wars.
Alexander, Hannibal, Caesar, and the Genius of Leadership
Focusing on the military strategies and leadership styles of Alexander the Great, Hannibal, and Julius Caesar, this book offers a comparative analysis of their approaches to warfare. It delves into their unique tactics, the historical contexts of their campaigns, and the lasting impact of their command on military history. Through detailed examination, readers gain insights into what made each general a master of their craft, highlighting their innovations and the challenges they faced in battle.
Class, Faction and Policy 403-386 B.C.
Set in Athens after the Peloponnesian War, this work presents a groundbreaking examination of Athenian political factions through the lens of political anthropology. It delivers an in-depth demographic analysis and insightful commentary on political discourse, making it one of the most comprehensive studies of this critical era in Athenian democracy. The book challenges conventional understandings and enhances our grasp of the complexities within Athenian political groups.
The story of the most famous revolt of the ancient world, and its legendary leader, Spartacus the Gladiator.
Did the Trojan War really happen? The Trojan War may have been the inevitable consequence of expanding Greek maritime commerce. In The Trojan War, master storyteller Barry Strauss puts legend into its historical context, without losing its poetry and grandeur.
On a late September day in 480 B.C., Greek warships faced an invading Persian armada in the narrow Salamis Straits in the most important naval battle of the ancient world. Overwhelmingly outnumbered by the enemy, the Greeks triumphed through a combination of strategy and deception. More than two millennia after it occurred, the clash between the Greeks and Persians at Salamis remains one of the most tactically brilliant battles ever fought. The Greek victory changed the course of western history -- halting the advance of the Persian Empire and setting the stage for the Golden Age of Athens. In this dramatic new narrative account, historian and classicist Barry Strauss brings this landmark battle to life. He introduces us to the unforgettable characters whose decisions altered history: Themistocles, Athens' great leader (and admiral of its fleet), who devised the ingenious strategy that effectively destroyed the Persian navy in one day; Xerxes, the Persian king who fought bravely but who ultimately did not understand the sea; Aeschylus, the playwright who served in the battle and later wrote about it; and Artemisia, the only woman commander known from antiquity, who turned defeat into personal triumph. Filled with the sights, sounds, and scent of battle, The Battle of Salamis is a stirring work of history.
Amid a typical midlife crisis filled with wine tasting and yoga, 40-year-old Barry Strauss discovers a surprising passion for rowing, a sport often associated with younger athletes. His journey explores themes of reinvention and the joy of pursuing unexpected interests, challenging societal norms about age and passion. As he navigates this newfound love, Barry's experiences reflect a humorous yet poignant take on self-discovery and the pursuit of dreams later in life.