Great Battles of the Ancient World, Prof Garret G. Fagan (24 Lectures / 30 Minutes Per Lecture / 4x DVD - The Great Courses)
In Great Battles of the Ancient World, Professor Garrett G. Fagan provides a scholarly yet accessible deep dive into the reality of ancient combat, stripping away the romanticized lens often seen in Hollywood portrayals. Spanning the Mediterranean from early Sumerian city-state conflicts to the 4th-century Roman decline at Adrianople, the 24-lecture series investigates the essential "nuts and bolts" of warfare - including specialized weaponry, training, and the logistical challenges of ancient armies. Fagan specifically emphasizes the crucial factors that turned the tide in history's most famous engagements, such as the hammer-and-anvil tactics utilized by Alexander the Great at Gaugamela and the Roman mastery of siege craft demonstrated at Masada. 
Beyond tactical analysis, the course is noted for its critical approach to historical sources and prevailing military theories. Fagan challenges popular concepts, such as the singular "Western way of war," and uses modern experiments - like testing the feasibility of a mile-long charge at Marathon-to highlight the limitations of ancient accounts. By presenting contending academic theories alongside the grim, human reality of the battlefield, the series aims to broaden the audience's comprehension of war as a social and political phenomenon rather than just a series of dates. This dual focus on rigorous historical inquiry and engaging narrative makes the course a standard for students of military history and the ancient world alike.
 
Enhance your collection with a resource that bridges the past and the present, reflecting the essence of Book Archaeology’s passion for education and history.