Warfare in Northern Europe Before the Romans: Evidence from Archaeology

Julie Wileman challenges the traditional view of the barbaric fighting which went on prior to the Roman occupation of Northern Europe as she uncovers the true nature of warfare before the Romans. Aspects investigated include what war meant in a pre-state society, the many levels of battle and warfare, the reasons why prehistoric people fought, evidence of early attacks and massacres, ways in which prehistoric war can be identified, heroic warfare, and the rise of war in the Iron Age. Wileman also looks at the Roman evidence for the portrayal of the drunken, savage and barbaric fighting as well as the tactics they employed against one another, why certain battles were won and lost, and which aspects went on to influence Roman warfare in later centuries. 'Warfare in Northern Europe Before the Romans' provides an exciting read for both archaeologists and military historians interested in how warfare developed outside of classical Europe as well as being one of the only books in the area accessible to the non-academic reader. AUTHOR: Julie has a published PhD on the subject of the identification of warfare in prehistoric (pre-Roman) societies from archaeological evidence gained from both excavation and landscape survey. Julie has studies archaeology at both UCL and the University of Winchester as well as teaching archaeology at the University of Winchester, the University of Surrey, WEA and local groups giving talks and lectures. Julie is the Finds Officer at a medieval leper hospital, which is also the major training excavation for the University of Winchester. SELLING POINTS: Over turns the Roman picture of savagery, unruly barbarians rushing drunk into a battle by presenting the sophisticated strategies and tactics for both attack and defence, and weaponry and organisation One of the only (if not the only) book in the area which is accessible to the general reader Shows how warfare developed outside of classical Europe with techniques to be alter adopted by the Romans Gives the reader an understanding of the prehistoric monuments seen in the British landscape today ? hillforts and dykes, brochs and duns, and the pattern of ordinary settlements 30 ? 40 illustrations