Battles of the Crusades

by Kelly DeVries

Published 1 October 2008
When Pope Urban II called European Christianity to stem the expansion of Islamic states into Europe, he set off a train of events that would last many hundreds of years and have far reaching political and economic consequences.
Battles of the Crusades introduces 20 key battles from this period of religiously inspired conflict in Europe and the Middle East. Beginning with the battle of Dorylaeum (1097) and finishing with the battle of Varna (1444), examples from every era and campaign are featured.
Apart from such well-known encounters as Antioch, Jerusalem and Harran, battles between the Crusader states and their Muslim neighbours include Montgisard and Saladin's destruction of the Crusader army at Hattin. Beyond the Middle East, featured battles include the Christian recapture of Lisbon and the massacre of the Albigensians at Beziers in France. Battles from the Reconquista of Spain and the expansion of the Teutonic Knights make this a rounded account of 500 years of religious conflict.
Each entry includes a contextual introduction, a concise description of the action, and an analysis of the aftermath. A specially commissioned colour map illustrating movement of forces brings the subject to life and helps the reader to grasp the development of the battle.
With more than 200 colour and black-and-white maps, artworks, and photographs, Battles of the Crusades provides an accessible introduction to key engagements of the Medieval era. Designed for both the general reader and enthusiast, the book is an essential companion for anyone interested in the warfare and tactics of the Middle Ages.

Battles of the Ancient World is a comprehensive visual guide to battles of the Ancient era. Arranged chronologically to cover all the major battles of the times, the book includes every major clash of arms over a 2000-year period, from the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramesses II's victory at Kadesh, to the defeat of Atilla and his Hunnic army at Catalaunian Field by the Romans in AD451.

Each clash-of-arms is covered in comprehensive detail, with extensive analysis of the broader social and political background to the conflict, a complete description of the battle and thorough post-battle analysis. Full-colour maps of each battle are accompanied by detailed annotations, which helps the reader follow the battles as they unfold. All the maps in this volume have been specially commissioned from an expert cartographer.

Every type of battle is covered, demonstrating the many aspects of Ancient warfare, including: the Greek victory over a much larger Persian force at Marathon (490BC), illustrating the power of well-desciplined and well-deployed infantry; Hannibal's victory over the Romans at Trebia (218BC), a result of the Carthaginian's greater tactical acumen; the famous Roman siege of Jewish resistance at Masada (73BC), which was broken only after the defenders had committed mass suicide; and Augustus's famous naval victory over Anthony and Cleopatra's Egyptian forces at Actium (31BC), a victory that had profound political consequences for the future of Rome.

This detailed atlas of Ancient battles provides an invaluable work of reference for both the general reader and the serious student of Ancient warfare.