The Fall of Carthage
The Punic Wars 265-146 BC
By: Adrian Goldsworthy
Narrated by: Derek Perkins
Length: 16 hrs and 26 mins

I appreciate how Goldsworthy provides a glimpse into the ancient world without trying to manufacture facts. This book is a well done piece that shoes both what we do know and what we do not. The significant take always that I had were the following:

Republics and Democracies can and have gone to war. I live in a time where if you are a republic or democracy you generally are at peace with your fellows. This is not necessarily so. Both Carthage and Rome were to some extent republics.

The resolute purpose can far out way defeat. The Romans, despite being defeated over and over in the field of battle did not give up. They continued in a state of belligerence. Granted they did choose to avoid fighting Hannibal, in general, after his victory at Cannae. But their resolution was not broken. Goldworthy along with with others have compared this to the United Kingdom during World War 2 after the defeat at Dunkirk. It was a singular resolution that kept them a float where others had capitulated.

With a superior logistics can win wars even when you have significant strategic losses. Using it’s resolve, Rome pulled in a massive effort over several years that overwhelmed Hannibal’s ability to maintain an army in the field.

After visiting Greece last year, I found that this book bridged the time between the Greeks and the Romans very nicely. I look forward to expanding my understanding of this era further.