by Philip Matyszak.
Hardback (6.4×9.5 inches). 176 pages. 2025.
While Hannibal and the Second Punic War receive the bulk of the coverage, and rightly so, the First and Third Punic Wars are also covered. Skirmishes and minor battles are not covered, but 28 major battles receive good overviews.
A quick history of Rome and Carthage lays out the spheres that each honored in the early days with the dividing line generally between Sicily and the toe of Italy. Alas, an industrious tribe of pirates at Messene (Messina) kept raiding the Romans. The Carthaginians ignored the incursions, so Rome invaded Sicily. So began the events that culminated in the First Punic War. Overviews of land battles in Sicily and Africa plus the naval battles around Sicily, are covered.
As for the second, with the dividing line set at the Ebro River roughly where modern-day Spain and France meet, Hannibal’s siege of Saguntum on the Carthaginian side of the line prompted the Saguntines to ask Rome for help, who responded and so the Second Punic War started. Overviews of battles in France, Italy, and Africa as well as naval battles are covered.
When the Roman ally Numidians grabbed parts of Carthage and Rome ignored Carthaginian complaints, the Carthaginians raised an army and attacked the Numidians. Rome needed only half an excuse and the Third Punic War ignited.
The overviews are written well enough although this book is more an introductory volume than a definitive history. The larger of the major battles receive three rudimentary “maps” of the phases of the battle. Well, better than nothing, but far below anything you need for tabletop scenarios.
One typo: missing period at the end of the sentence (p115).
The book contains one rudimentary map of the Mediterranean Sea and 36 rudimentary battle maps. No photos.
It’s a nice overview to get folks interested in the Punic Wars.
Enjoyed it.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
