The Army of Herod the Great: : Men-at-Arms Samuel Rocca Osprey Publishing

The Army of Herod the Great

Description

Herod was Rome's most important and powerful ally at the end of the Republic and during the first years of Augustus' principate. He has entered posterity as a ruthless ruler against both his own family and, according to the gospel of Matthew, as the instigator of the slaughter of the innocents. He was also an able administrator, however, and succeeded in developing a powerful army. At its peak, Herod's army could field approximately 40,000 men. This book offers a fascinating look at this ancient army using the latest Israeli archaeological reports and finds, including weapons and armor fragments. Various campaigns are also discussed, such as the First and Second NAbatean War (32-32 BC, 9 BC), the siege of Jerusalem (40-37 BC), and Aelius Gallus' expedition to Arabia in 25 BC.

Introduction and short chronology · Strength, character and functions of Herod's Judaean army, as regional power and ally of Republican/early Imperial Rome · Organization & tactics: infantry and the Roman influence – cavalry and the Hellenistic influence · Ethnic composition: Jewish, Parthian, Roman, Gallic, Germanic · Equipment & weapons: Roman, Hellenistic and Oriental influences · Command & structure: senior commanders – royal guard – cavalry, including Parthians – Iturean archers – Judaean heavy infantry · Campaigns: conquest of Judaea – siege of Jerusalem – First Nabatean War – to Arabia with Aelius Gallus – Second Nabatean War

Product details

Published	Nov 24 2009
Format	Paperback
Edition	1st
Extent	48
ISBN	9781846032066
Imprint	Osprey Publishing
Illustrations	40 b/w; 8 col
Dimensions	248 x 184 mm
Series	Men-at-Arms
Short code	MAA 443
Publisher	Bloomsbury Publishing

Author

Samuel Rocca

Illustrator

Christa Hook

CHRISTA HOOK began her illustrating career in 1986…

The Army of Herod the Great...draws upon ancient texts and the latest in Israeli archaeological reports and findings to piece together the strength, arms and armor, organization, and tactics of this ancient field army... The Herodian army was a complex amalgam of Hellenistic and Roman influences, and is relatively obscure even among academics, making this study a particularly challenging one to undertake. Thankfully, author Samuel Rocca is more than up to the task. A teacher and curator at the Bible Lands Museum, Jerusalem, Rocca studied and completed his MA at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem before researching his PhD on Herodian Judea at Bar-Ilan University. In other words, he has the credentials to pull of this project. One of the most impressive touches is the manner in which Rocca routinely explains the manner in which he arrived at his conclusions, such as the size of any given military unit or campaigning army. Finally, it should be noted that the book is richly illustrated with photos of relevant artifacts and original full-color artwork reconstruction by Christia Hook.

Andrew Hind, Strategy and Tactics (December 2009)
Osprey's 'Men-at-Arms' series offers a narrowed focus on equipment and uniforms throughout history and military collections will appreciate some new additions. Samuel Rocca's The Army of Herod the Great surveys the military skills of one of Rome's most important client kings.

The Bookwatch (January 2010)