The book by Jean Charl Du Plessis “The Seleucid Army of Antiochus the Great: Weapons, Armour and Tactics” is a detailed and carefully considered study of the military power of Antiochus III, ruler of the Seleucid Empire, who ruled from 223–187 BCE. The author carefully analyzes the army of this powerful monarch, showing its structure, units, types of weapons and tactics used in key campaigns. The book was published by Napoleon V.
The author of the publication is Dr Jean Charl Du Plessis, who specializes in ancient history, experimental archeology and the history of combat.
One of the greatest advantages of the publication is the detailed approach to the description of the units that made up Antiochus’ army. Du Plessis discusses weapons such as spears, swords, and catapults, as well as armor and helmets, which shed light on the level of military technology at the time. It also presents interesting information about various combat units, such as infantry, cavalry and war elephant units, and how these units were used on the battlefield.
The author draws on an extensive bibliography, using both ancient texts and modern archaeological and historical studies; thanks to this, the book offers reliable and well-documented data. Du Plessis successfully combines historical narrative with archaeological analysis, making this work not only a book for military historians, but also a valuable resource for archaeologists and those interested in ancient technology.
Although the topic may seem quite specialized, the author is able to present it in a way that is accessible even to readers who are not experts in the field of ancient military affairs. The writing style is clear and logical, and the book contains many illustrations and diagrams that help illustrate the issues discussed.
The book is very well-published, hardcover, and has many black and white illustrations and maps. The actual content is 300 pages long. At the end of the publication, you will find an extensive bibliography, an index and illustrations of the units by Mr. Artur Klimko. A big plus – footnotes are at the bottom of the page.
“The Seleucid Army of Antiochus the Great: Weapons, Armour and Tactics” is a valuable book for military history enthusiasts and researchers dealing with the Hellenistic period. Its greatest advantage is a detailed analysis of the tactics and military technology of the Seleucid army, which allows us to understand better what role it played in shaping the politics and history of this region.
