If you’re into military history or wargaming, you’ve probably got a shelf groaning under the weight of Osprey books – I know I do! For decades, they have been essential reading. They pack a ton of info into slim volumes, and those colour plates are just fantastic for figuring out what things actually looked like. They’re a great way to dip your toes into a subject or get a quick visual guide. Today, I want to chat about three specific Osprey titles covering ancient warfare. Each one brings something cool to the table, giving us history buffs interesting details and us wargamers plenty of inspiration for our tabletop clashes.
Note: We’ve received these books from Osprey Publishing as review copy.
1. Cannae 216 BC: Hannibal Smashes Rome’s Army (Campaign 3)
Author: Mark Healy
Illustrator: Richard Hook
Series: Campaign (Book 3)
The Subject: Few battles in military history resonate with such chilling finality as Cannae. Fought during the Second Punic War, it represents the absolute nadir of Roman military fortunes and the zenith of Hannibal Barca’s tactical genius. This volume, an early entry in Osprey’s highly successful Campaign series, sets out to dissect this legendary encounter.
Content Breakdown: Following the standard Campaign series format, Healy begins by setting the strategic stage – the Second Punic War’s origins, Hannibal’s audacious invasion of Italy, and the string of Roman defeats (Trebia, Lake Trasimene) that led to the Republic fielding an unprecedentedly large army under the consuls Varro and Paullus. The book then delves into the opposing commanders, offering brief but insightful sketches of Hannibal and his Roman counterparts, highlighting the contrasting leadership styles and political pressures.
Crucially for wargamers, the section on “Opposing Forces” provides a concise overview of the armies involved. It details the composition of Hannibal’s multinational force – the veteran Carthaginian officers, the fearsome Celtic warriors, the skilled Spanish infantry, and the superb Numidian light cavalry. On the Roman side, it outlines the structure of the massive consular army, comprised of Roman legions and allied Italian contingents (socii), emphasizing the sheer weight of numbers the Romans brought to bear. While not exhaustive unit-by-unit detail (Osprey has other series for that), it gives a solid understanding of the troop types, their typical equipment, and their perceived strengths and weaknesses going into the battle.
The core of the book is, naturally, the narrative of the campaign leading up to and including the battle itself. Healy describes the maneuvering, the choice of battlefield on the Aufidus River, and Hannibal’s calculated deployment – refusing his center while extending his wings. The description of the battle’s unfolding is clear and chronological, detailing the initial cavalry clashes where Hannibal’s superior horsemen swept their Roman counterparts from the field, the relentless advance of the densely packed Roman infantry into the deceptively weak Carthaginian center, and the masterful execution of the double envelopment as the African infantry wheeled inwards and the victorious Carthaginian cavalry slammed into the Roman rear. The narrative effectively conveys the horror and inevitability of the Roman legions’ destruction once the trap was sprung.
The book concludes with the bloody aftermath, the staggering Roman losses, the strategic implications (why Hannibal didn’t march on Rome is briefly touched upon), and a look at the battlefield today. Throughout the text, well-chosen maps illustrate the strategic situation and, critically, the tactical developments during the battle’s key phases. Richard Hook’s colour plates depict scenes like the Numidian cavalry charge, the clash in the center, and the final, desperate moments of the surrounded legionaries.
Strengths: Healy provides a clear, accessible, and engaging account of a complex battle. The text successfully synthesizes ancient sources (like Polybius and Livy) into a coherent narrative. The maps are generally helpful in visualizing the troop movements, and the structure makes it easy to grasp the battle’s flow. For someone unfamiliar with Cannae, this book is an excellent primer.
Weaknesses/Limitations: As an early Campaign title (and inherent to the Osprey format), the depth is necessarily limited compared to academic tomes. Some nuances of troop quality or specific tactical decisions might be glossed over for brevity. While the maps show phases, translating them directly to a hex-grid or miniatures table requires some interpretation. Richard Hook’s artwork, while evocative, might feel stylistically dated to some compared to later Osprey illustrators; however, it effectively captures the drama and key troop types. The section on opposing forces could perhaps have benefited from slightly more detail on equipment specifics, but it serves its purpose within the book’s scope.
Wargaming Relevance: Immense. This book is practically a scenario generator. It provides the context, the order of battle (general types, if not precise numbers which are historically debated anyway), the map layout, the key phases, and the stunning tactical result. Wargamers can use this to design scenarios for systems like Commands & Colors: Ancients, Hail Caesar, DBA/DBM, or SPQR. The descriptions of troop interactions (e.g., Numidian cavalry vs. Roman/Italian cavalry, Celtic warriors bending under pressure) offer inspiration for unit special rules or characteristics. The plates offer visual cues for painting Carthaginian and Republican Roman armies of this period. Understanding why Hannibal won – the deployment, the use of cavalry, the controlled yielding of the center – provides valuable tactical lessons applicable across many game systems.
Cannae 216 BC is a classic Osprey Campaign title that delivers exactly what it promises: a concise, well-illustrated, and informative account of one of history’s most famous battles. It’s an ideal starting point for anyone wanting to understand the battle and a fantastic resource for wargamers looking to bring this epic clash to their tabletop.
2. Roman Legionary 58 BC–AD 69 (Warrior 71)
Author: Ross Cowan
Illustrator: Angus McBride
Series: Warrior (Book 71)
The Subject: If Cannae represents Rome’s darkest hour, the Roman Legionary of the late Republic and early Empire embodies its eventual military dominance. This Warrior volume focuses squarely on the individual soldier during a pivotal era – from Caesar’s conquest of Gaul through the tumultuous Year of the Four Emperors (AD 69). This period saw the professionalization of the legions solidify and witnessed campaigns that forged an empire.
Content Breakdown: The Warrior series excels at shifting the focus from grand strategy and battles (covered in Campaign) to the life, equipment, and experiences of the individual fighting man. Ross Cowan dives into this with gusto. The book explores the recruitment process – who became a legionary, the oath (sacramentum), and the motivations (citizenship, pay, land). It details the brutal but effective training regimen that turned recruits into disciplined cogs in the Roman military machine.
A significant portion is dedicated to the legionary’s equipment, the iconic panoply of Roman power. Cowan discusses the pilum (heavy javelin), the gladius Hispaniensis (short sword), the pugio (dagger), and the large scutum (shield). He navigates the complexities of body armour, covering the transition and overlap between lorica hamata (mail), lorica squamata (scale), and the famous lorica segmentata (plate strips), noting variations and period relevance. Helmet types (like the Montefortino, Coolus, and Imperial Gallic types) are also described. This section is gold for modelers aiming for historical accuracy.
Beyond the gear, the book explores daily life: the routine of the march, the construction of fortified camps (a hallmark of Roman discipline), fatigue duties, diet, pay, and discipline (including harsh punishments and prestigious awards). It examines the legionary’s experience “On Campaign,” discussing battle formations, siege warfare, and the psychological realities of ancient combat. Sections on “Belief and Belonging” touch upon the importance of standards (aquila, signa), unit pride, religion, and burial practices.
Angus McBride, a legendary figure in military illustration, provides the artwork. His plates are not just technically brilliant but also incredibly atmospheric. They depict legionaries in various situations: training, marching, building fortifications under duress, engaging in close combat, receiving decorations, and garrison life. The detail in the equipment, clothing, and physical portrayal of the soldiers is exceptional.
Strengths: This book offers a superb, comprehensive overview of the legionary’s world in this key period. Cowan’s text is well-researched and accessibly written, bringing the subject to life. The focus on the individual soldier’s experience – from enlistment to potential retirement – provides a valuable perspective often missed in broader campaign histories. The detailed breakdown of equipment is invaluable. And, of course, Angus McBride’s illustrations are a massive highlight, setting a standard for military artwork.
Weaknesses/Limitations: By design, this book doesn’t focus on specific campaigns or battles in detail; it uses them as context for the legionary’s experience. The period covered (roughly 120 years) inevitably requires some generalizations regarding equipment evolution and campaign conditions, though Cowan handles this well. Specialists might quibble over minute details of equipment interpretation, which is common in ancient military history. It’s primarily focused on the legionary, so auxiliary troops receive less attention.
Wargaming Relevance: Extremely high, particularly for painters and modelers. The detailed descriptions and McBride’s stunning plates are an unparalleled visual guide for painting Late Republican and Early Imperial Roman armies. Understanding the different types of armour and helmets helps ensure accuracy for specific periods within the book’s range (e.g., Caesarian vs. Early Imperial). The insights into training, discipline, and camp life can add flavour to narrative campaigns or roleplaying elements linked to your wargames. Knowing how a legionary lived, marched, and fought adds depth beyond just moving miniatures based on stats. It helps visualize the units on the table as representations of these tough, professional soldiers. Details like shield designs (while often speculative) or the appearance of centurions and standard bearers are clearly depicted.
Roman Legionary 58 BC–AD 69 is an outstanding volume in the Warrior series. It’s an essential resource for anyone interested in the Roman army of this transformative period, especially wargamers and modelers. The combination of Cowan’s informative text and McBride’s iconic artwork makes it a must-have reference, providing both knowledge and visual inspiration.
3. Greek Hoplite 480–323 BC (Warrior 27)
Author: Nicholas Sekunda
Illustrator: Angus McBride
Series: Warrior (Book 27)
The Subject: Shifting focus from Rome to its cultural predecessor in military renown, this Warrior volume examines the iconic heavy infantryman of Classical Greece: the Hoplite. The timeframe covers the period of Greece’s greatest martial fame, from the desperate defense against Persia at Thermopylae and Plataea, through the internecine Peloponnesian War, to the rise of Macedon and the campaigns of Alexander the Great, which marked the evolution and eventual decline of the traditional hoplite’s dominance.
Content Breakdown: Mirroring the structure of the Roman Legionary book, Nicholas Sekunda explores the world of the hoplite soldier. He begins by addressing the socio-political context: the hoplite was typically a citizen-soldier, often providing his own equipment (panoplia), his military service intrinsically linked to his status within the polis (city-state). The book discusses recruitment (or rather, mobilization based on citizenship and wealth) and the varying levels of training across different city-states – contrasting the famously rigorous Spartan agoge with the more typical, less formalized training elsewhere.
The core of the book, naturally, details the hoplite’s equipment. Sekunda meticulously describes the key elements: the large, round shield (aspis or hoplon), often emblazoned with personal or state symbols (episēmon); the long thrusting spear (dory); and the secondary sword (xiphos). He delves into the various types of helmets (Corinthian, Chalcidian, Phrygian, etc.) and body armour, discussing the classic bronze bell-cuirass and the potentially more common (and debated) composite linothorax. Greaves (knemides) are also covered. The variations in equipment based on period and wealth are highlighted.
Sekunda explains the fundamental tactical formation of the hoplites: the Phalanx. He describes how these dense blocks of spearmen operated, relying on cohesion, weight, and the overlapping shields of their neighbours. The mechanics of the phalanx clash – the othismos or “push” – are discussed, along with its inherent strengths (frontal invulnerability) and weaknesses (flank vulnerability, lack of maneuverability). Life on campaign, rations, religious observances before battle, and the hoplite’s motivations are also explored.
Once again, the legendary Angus McBride provides the illustrations. His plates capture the hoplite in all his archaic and classical glory: Spartans in their red cloaks, Athenians with intricate shield devices, the brutal shove of phalanx against phalanx, hoplites fighting Persians, and scenes depicting camp life or religious rites. The variations in armour and helmet styles across the period are well-represented.
Strengths: Sekunda provides a clear and detailed account of the hoplite’s equipment, tactics, and societal role. He effectively navigates the complexities of a long historical period and the diversity among different Greek city-states. The explanation of the phalanx mechanics is particularly useful. The book successfully places the hoplite within his cultural context, emphasizing the citizen-soldier ideal. Angus McBride’s artwork is, as always, a major draw, bringing the text to life with dynamic and detailed visuals.
Weaknesses/Limitations: As with other Warrior books, the focus is on the individual and his gear/experience, not specific battles (though examples are used). Covering nearly 160 years means generalizations are necessary, especially regarding the subtle evolution of equipment and tactics. Scholarly debates continue on topics like the exact construction and prevalence of the linothorax, which the book presents based on knowledge at the time of writing. Some readers might desire more discussion on the command structure or logistics, which are secondary to the hoplite’s personal experience here.
Wargaming Relevance: Indispensable for anyone gaming the Classical Greek period. The detailed descriptions and McBride’s plates are the ultimate painting guide for hoplite miniatures, showcasing helmet types, armour variations, and especially the crucial shield designs. Understanding the panoply helps ensure historical accuracy for your forces (e.g., equipping Spartans differently from Thebans or later Successor hoplites). The explanation of phalanx tactics directly informs gameplay – understanding its strengths and weaknesses helps players use hoplite units effectively (or counter them) in systems like Warhammer Ancient Battles, Hail Caesar, Mortem et Gloriam, or Impetus. The citizen-soldier aspect can inspire scenario objectives or campaign narratives focusing on civic duty or inter-city rivalries.
Greek Hoplite 480–323 BC is another cornerstone Warrior title. It offers a fantastic, well-written overview of arguably the most iconic soldier type of the ancient Greek world. Combined with McBride’s superb illustrations, it serves as an essential reference for modelers, painters, and wargamers seeking to understand and accurately represent the men who fought at Marathon, Plataea, Mantinea, and Chaeronea.
Osprey delivers as usual!
These three books represent just a fraction of Osprey’s extensive catalogue on ancient warfare, but they showcase the publisher’s strengths: accessibility, focused content, and invaluable visual references. Whether you need a breakdown of a crucial battle like Cannae, a deep dive into the life and gear of a Roman Legionary, or a guide to the iconic Greek Hoplite, Osprey provides a fantastic starting point. They bridge the gap between dense academic texts and the practical needs of a wargamer or modeler, offering context, detail, and inspiration in equal measure.
