Warfare was the single biggest preoccupation of historians in antiquity. In recent decades fresh textual interpretations, numerous new archaeological discoveries and a much broader analytical focus emphasising social, economic, political and cultural approaches have transformed our understanding of ancient warfare. Volume I of this two-volume History reflects these developments and provides a systematic account, written by a distinguished cast of contributors, of the various themes underlying the warfare of the Greek world from the Archaic to the Hellenistic period and of Early and Middle Republican Rome. For each broad period developments in troop-types, equipment, strategy and tactics are discussed. These are placed in the broader context of developments in international relations and the relationship of warfare to both the state and wider society. Numerous illustrations, a glossary and chronology, and information about the authors mentioned supplement the text. This will become the primary reference work for specialists and non-specialists alike.

Introduction: the historiography of ancient warfare: 1. The modern historiography of ancient warfare Victor Davis Hanson; 2. Warfare in ancient literature: the paradox of war Simon Hornblower; 3. Reconstructing ancient warfare Michael Whitby; Part I. Archaic and Classical Greece: 4. International relations Jonathan Hall; 5. Military forces Peter Hunt; 6. War Peter Krentz; 7. Combat. (1) Land battles Everett Wheeler; (2) Naval combat and sieges Barry Strauss; 8. Warfare and the state Vincent Gabrielsen; 9. War and society Hans van Wees; Part II. The Hellenistic World and the Roman Republic: 10. International relations Richard Billows; 11. Military forces Nicholas V. Sekunda; 12. War Jonathan Roth; 13. Combat. (1) Land battles Philip Sabin; (2) Naval battles and sieges Philip de Souza; 14. Warfare and the state John Serrati; 15. War and society J. E. Lendon; Chronological table; Glossary; List of ancient authors.