Rome

Strategy of Empire

By: James Lacey

Narrated by: Joel Richards

The Roman Empire lasted a solid 500 years—an impressive number by any standard. The decline and final collapse of the Roman Empire took longer than most other empires even existed. Any historian trying to unearth the grand strategy of the Roman Empire must, therefore, always remain cognizant of the time scale. Over the centuries, the Empire's underlying economy, political arrangements, military affairs, and the myriad of external threats it faced were in constant flux, making adaptability to changing circumstances as important to Roman strategists as it is to strategists of the modern era.

Yet the very idea of Rome having a grand strategy, or what it might be, had not concerned historians until Edward Luttwak's The Grand Strategy of the Roman Empire appeared forty years ago. Although this pioneering work generated much debate, it failed to win over many ancient historians, in part because of its heavy emphasis on military force and its neglect of considerations of diplomacy, economics, politics, culture, and the changing nature of the threats that confronted Rome.

By employing an expansive definition of strategy and by focusing much of the narrative on crucial historical moments and the personalities involved, James Lacey provides a comprehensive, persuasive, and engaging account of the rise and fall of the Roman Empire.

©2022 Oxford University Press (P)2023 Tantor

Superb

Easily the best book on Roman Strategy ever written!

Ends a debate on Roman strategic prowess that has raged for over 40 years -- This book is the final word on the topic.

More detailed information on Rome.

Very informative and well written information about the Roman Empire working in military organization, strategy and tactics, planning, to Rome government, from administration to government institutions, taxation, finance policy. History of Rome is very important and important.

Antony NOT Anthony

The book is great but the narrator is HORRIBLE! I don’t think the narrator has ever learned Roman history because he pretty much gets 75% of the names wrong. Ugh

Very thorough and well-written

Lacey’s new look at Roman strategy gives well-researched arguments for his interpretation, and the writing keeps the listener engaged.

Great analysis

Great analysis of the Roman Empire. Different approach from those I’ve read before. Excellent reader. But some names not pronounced correctly

Point Made

The author sets out to demonstrate Rome had strategy. He makes his point in the book. There is so much history and names it is hard to retain details. Perhaps you’re not supposed to, just his point. I did have my own take away about how brutal and yet in some ways civil these times were.