The Killing Ground - A Biography of Thermopylae

An exploration into why and how Thermopylae is one of the most blood-soaked patches of ground in history - and what its past can tell us about our future. ''Brilliantly demonstrated.'' - Tom Holland Since the dawn of the Classical Era up to World War II, thousands have lost their lives fighting over the pass at Thermopylae. Historians Cole and Livingston provide an exciting account of each of the 27 battles and holding actions that took place. The epic events of 480 BC when 300 Spartans attempted to hold the pass has been immortalised in poetry, art, literature and film. But no history has ever detailed the other events from the very first battle through to the battles fought by Romans, Byzantines, Huns and Ottomans during the early and late medieval periods and finally the two desperate struggles against German occupying forces during World War II. The Killing Ground details the background and history of each conflict, the personalities and decision making of the commanders, the arms and tactics of the troops, and how each battle played out. Cole and Livingston have surveyed the ground to provide a boots-on understanding of each battle. Their command of multiple ancient and medieval languages means they have provided their own translations of much of the source material, ensuring new insights into each battle. This uncompromising scholarship is woven together into a compelling and unforgettable history that grips the reader from start to finish.>

Product details

• Authors: Myke Cole, Cole Myke, Dr Michael Livingston, Michael Livingston
• Publisher: Osprey Publishers
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 01.02.2024
• EAN: 9781472858665
• ISBN: 978-1-4728-5866-5
• No. of pages: 304
• Dimensions: 154 mm x 238 mm x 34 mm
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > Antiquity; Non-fiction book > History > Miscellaneous; Ancient Greece, HISTORY / Ancient / Greece, Greece, c 1938 to c 1946 (World War Two period), Ancient History, c 500 to c 1000 CE, Battles & campaigns, c 1939 to c 1945 (including WW2), Land forces & warfare, BCE to c 500 CE, C 500 CE To C 1000 CE, Ancient warfare, Battles and campaigns, c 1 to c 500 CE, Land forces and warfare, c 500 BCE to c 1BCE, HISTORY / Wars & Conflicts / World War II / General, HISTORY / Military / Land Forces