Viriathus

and the Lusitanian Resistance to Rome 155-139 BC

Nonfiction, History, Ancient History
Cover of the book Viriathus by Luis Silva, Pen and Sword
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Luis Silva ISBN: 9781473826892
Publisher: Pen and Sword Publication: July 30, 2013
Imprint: Pen and Sword Military Language: English
Author: Luis Silva
ISBN: 9781473826892
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Publication: July 30, 2013
Imprint: Pen and Sword Military
Language: English

In the middle years of the second century BC, Rome was engaged in the conquest and pacification of what is now Spain and Portugal. They met with determined resistance from several tribes but nobody defied them with more determination and skill than Viriathus. Apparently of humble birth, he emerged as a leader after the treacherous massacre of the existing tribal chieftains and soon proved himself a gifted and audacious commander. Relying on hit and run guerrilla tactics, he inflicted repeated humiliating reverses upon the theoretically superior Roman forces, uniting a number of tribes in resistance to the invader and stalling their efforts at conquest and pacification for eight years. Still unbeaten in the field, he was only overcome when the Romans resorted to bribing some of his own men to assassinate him (though they reneged on the agreed payment, claiming they did not reward traitors!). Though renowned in his day Viriathus has been neglected by modern historians, a travesty that Luis Silva puts right in this thoroughly researched and accessible account. Portuguese by birth, the author draws on Portuguese research and perspectives that will be refreshing to English-language scholars and his own military experience also informs his analysis of events. What emerges is a stirring account of defiance, heroic resistance against the odds and, ultimately, treachery and tragedy.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In the middle years of the second century BC, Rome was engaged in the conquest and pacification of what is now Spain and Portugal. They met with determined resistance from several tribes but nobody defied them with more determination and skill than Viriathus. Apparently of humble birth, he emerged as a leader after the treacherous massacre of the existing tribal chieftains and soon proved himself a gifted and audacious commander. Relying on hit and run guerrilla tactics, he inflicted repeated humiliating reverses upon the theoretically superior Roman forces, uniting a number of tribes in resistance to the invader and stalling their efforts at conquest and pacification for eight years. Still unbeaten in the field, he was only overcome when the Romans resorted to bribing some of his own men to assassinate him (though they reneged on the agreed payment, claiming they did not reward traitors!). Though renowned in his day Viriathus has been neglected by modern historians, a travesty that Luis Silva puts right in this thoroughly researched and accessible account. Portuguese by birth, the author draws on Portuguese research and perspectives that will be refreshing to English-language scholars and his own military experience also informs his analysis of events. What emerges is a stirring account of defiance, heroic resistance against the odds and, ultimately, treachery and tragedy.

More books from Pen and Sword

Cover of the book Major and Mrs Holts Pocket Battlefield Guide to Ypres and Passchendaele by Luis Silva
Cover of the book North Korea Invades the South by Luis Silva
Cover of the book Tiger I and Tiger II Tanks by Luis Silva
Cover of the book The Eastern Front Air War 1941-1945 by Luis Silva
Cover of the book Tracing Your Kent Ancestors by Luis Silva
Cover of the book Mitsubishi Zero by Luis Silva
Cover of the book From the Dreadnought to Scapa Flow by Luis Silva
Cover of the book Wellington Against Soult by Luis Silva
Cover of the book British Battleships 1889-1904 by Luis Silva
Cover of the book Soldier from the Wars Returning by Luis Silva
Cover of the book The Great Boer War by Luis Silva
Cover of the book Rise of the Tang Dynasty by Luis Silva
Cover of the book Battle for the Escaut 1940 by Luis Silva
Cover of the book French Army at Verdun by Luis Silva
Cover of the book Allied Armoured Fighting Vehicles of the Second World War by Luis Silva
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy