San Antonio College Library

How did the Ancients move impossibly huge objects? Why did the Roman forces at the siege of Masada decide to shift an entire mountain by hand?

Throughout human history, mankind has strived to create new and inventive ways of killing. Countries conquered and empires shattered on the backs of the most lethal weapons of the ancient world.

4th century BC. Alexander III of Macedonia has just unified all the cities of Greece. He then embarks on a punitive expedition against Persia. With Egypt conquered and Alexandria founded, Alexander invades the vast Persian Empire of Darius III. Although greatly outnumbered, his troops win victory after victory. After Babylon, Alexander seizes the capital, Persepolis, and Darius is assassinated as he tries to flee. The victory by Alexander, henceforth...

" ... Reference book on the battles of the ancient world covers events from the eighth century B.C. to 31 B.C., when Octavian defeated Antony and Cleopatra at the battle of Actium ... with battle plans and maps, all of the land and sea battles of the Greek and Roman worlds, based on the accounts by historians of the time"--Jacket.

During the third century BCE, two bastions of the civilized world--Carthage and Rome--fought for supremacy. This clip examines the Second Punic War--the roles played by significant figures including Hannibal, Publius, Fabius and Scipio, different tactics that were employed and the key events that led to Rome's ultimate victory. It is an excellent resource for upper secondary level students of Ancient History.

Today, modern soldiers are equipped with all the latest battlefield technology. But what cutting edge weapons and defenses were the ancient warriors armed with?

Few ancient institutions capture students' interests and imaginations more than the Roman army. The conquest of territory that we still recognize, the sense of a professional military that is the forerunner of our modern armies, and the leaders all draw students, both young and old, to the army. Students often joke that ancient history should be easy because it is ancient, thinking that it does not change because it is so old. Indeed, much of what...

Rome, 4th century AD. The Empire is now too vast to be ruled by a single man. For the first time, it is decided to divide it into two. Valentinian, an excellent general, rules the Western Empire. Valens, his brother, a far less talented man, governs the Eastern Empire. After receiving a delegation from the barbarian chiefs, Valentinian plunges into one of his habitual, violent rages. On this occasion, his body gives up: suffering a brain hemorrhage,...

An illustrated overview of 1500 years of military history from the earliest recorded times to the Late Roman empire.