Religion & Classical Warfare: The Roman Empire

Author: Matthew Dillon and Christopher Matthew

Hardcover

The chapters have been carefully structured by the editors so that this wide array of scholarship combines to give a coherent, comprehensive study of the role of religion in the wars of the Roman Empire.

New

$80.13

Or pay later with

Free 30 day returns Secure transaction

Check delivery options

Hardcover

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Summary

Description

Religion was integral to the conduct of war in the ancient world and the Romans were certainly no exception. No campaign was undertaken, no battle risked, without first making sacrifice to propitiate the appropriate gods (such as Mars, god of War) or consulting oracles and omens to divine their plans. Yet the link between war and religion is an area that has been regularly overlooked by modern scholars examining the conflicts of these times. This volume addresses that omission by drawing together the work of experts from across the globe. The chapters have been carefully structured by the editors so that this wide array of scholarship combines to give a coherent, comprehensive study of the role of religion in the wars of the Roman Empire. Aspects considered in depth include: the Imperial cults and legionary loyalty; the army and religious/regional disputes; Trajan and religion; Constantine and Christianity; omens and portents; funerary cults and practices; the cult of Mithras; the Imperial sacramentum; religion & Imperial military medicine. AUTHORS: Dr Matthew Dillon is Associate Professor of Classics and Ancient History at the University of New England, New South Wales, Australia. His previous works include The Ancient Greeks in their own Words (2002). Christopher Matthew has just completed his doctoral thesis on hoplite warfare at Macquarie University in Sydney, where one of his assessors has said he 'singlehandedly advanced the whole field'. He has also been invited to lecture on the subject at other Australian universities. This book, closely based on his doctoral thesis, will be his first, although he has already had several articles published in academic journals. 'He is currently working on a new translation of Aelian's work on tactics and co-editing (with Dr Matthew Trundle) Beyond the Gates of Fire: New Perspectives on the Battle of Thermopylae, both of which will be published by Pen & Sword. 30 b/w illustrations

Critic Reviews

“"...an extraordinary, unique, and informative contribution to personal, professional, community, college, and university library Roman Religion, and Military History collections..."”

"...very positive news, especially for those of us who dedicate ourselves to the study of the Roman army from one of its many prisms, since the constant investigation and the publication of new contributions and perspectives benefits us all and builds a strong science."-- "ARYS"
-- "Midwest Book Review"

About the Author

The editors:Dr Matthew Dillon is the Professor of Classics and Ancient History at the University of New England, New South Wales, Australia. His previous works include Omens and Oracles. Divination in Archaic and Classical Greece (2017).Dr Christopher Matthew teaches at Australian Catholic University, New South Wales, Australia. He wrote A Storm of Spears (2012) and An Invincible Beast (2015) made a new translation of Aelian's Tactics (2012) and co-edited Beyond the Gates of Fire (2013) (all published by Pen & Sword).