Product details
- ISBN 9781472842190
- Weight: 169g
- Dimensions: 180 x 246mm
- Publication Date: 21 Jan 2021
- Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
- Publication City/Country: GB
- Product Form: Paperback
- Language: English
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The Numidian light cavalry were among the best-known horsemen in the ancient world.
Riding without saddles or bridle, carrying only hide shields for defense and clutching a handful of light javelins, they were renowned for their darting attacks, swift retreats, and skirmishing prowess. Yet, as much as they were respected by their allies and enemies, they were unfairly dismissed as uncivilized, nomadic barbarians from beyond the cultured, settled Mediterranean world.
Recent scholarship, however, has shown that there is far more evidence for the armour and equipment of the Numidians than hitherto assumed. Based on up-to-date findings including the decorative friezes of the stone ‘altars’ at Kbor Klib and Chimtou in North Africa, this book reveals that the Numidians also fielded infantry, slingers, archers, and even war elephants in conflicts across the Mediterranean, including Spain, Greece, northern Italy, and Thrace.
All of these troops are brought to life in original colour artwork, complemented by chapters on their weapons and equipment, history, tactics, and organization.
William Horsted studied Ancient History at the University of Bristol. After a year studying agriculture at the Royal Agricultural College, he returned to Bristol to undertake postgraduate research into the adoption of Christianity in rural areas of Late Roman North Africa. As well as ancient Mediterranean warfare, his research interests include the agriculture and ecology of the same period. This is his first book.
Adam Hook studied graphic design, and began his work as an illustrator in 1983. He specializes in detailed historical reconstructions and has illustrated Osprey titles on subjects as diverse as the Aztecs, the Ancient Greeks, Roman battle tactics, several 19th-century American subjects, the modern Chinese Army, and a number of books in the Fortress series. His work features in exhibitions and publications throughout the world.
