Lively, accessible and lavishly illustrated, this is the first account ever written which deals with the whole spread of the chariot's use as a war machine right across the Old World, from Ireland to Korea. The chariot changed the face of ancient warfare. First in West Asia and Egypt, then in India and China, charioteers came to dominate the battlefield. In 1274 B.C. at Kadesh in present-day Syria - where the untried pharaoh Ramesses II was nearly defeated by the Hittites - some 5,000 chariots were deployed in battle. Its ...
Read More
Lively, accessible and lavishly illustrated, this is the first account ever written which deals with the whole spread of the chariot's use as a war machine right across the Old World, from Ireland to Korea. The chariot changed the face of ancient warfare. First in West Asia and Egypt, then in India and China, charioteers came to dominate the battlefield. In 1274 B.C. at Kadesh in present-day Syria - where the untried pharaoh Ramesses II was nearly defeated by the Hittites - some 5,000 chariots were deployed in battle. Its use as a war machine is graphically recounted in Indian epics and Chinese chronicles. Homer's Iliad tells of the attack on Troy by Greek heroes who rode in chariots In 326 B.C. Alexander the Great faced charioteers in northern India, while in 55 B.C., on a Kent beach, Julius Caesar was met by British chariots. Even though the chariot was the favourite conveyance of both gods and kings, there were risks when it was driven at high speed. It is more than possible that the boy pharaoh Tutankhamun died from injuries sustained in a chariot accident. Because of the danger involved, chariot racing attracted hundreds of thousands of spectators. driving his own ten-horse chariot at the Olympic Games: he fell out but still won the prize. Rivalry between groups of spectators at chariot races often ignited urban riots. In Constantinople, in 532 A.D., a three-day disturbance left 30,000 dead. Yet great charioteers like Porphyrius still emerged. He was a champion into his sixties, provoking the comment that 'neither strength nor swift horses know how to win, but the brains of the charioteer.' This unique book traces the rise and fall of the chariot right across the Old World, from Britain to Korea. Illustrated throughout and exploring the chariot's legacy - not least as depicted in Hollywood films - it provides a broad-ranging and fascinating view of the world's first revolutionary war machine.
Read Less
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very Good in Very Good jacket. Size: 8vo-over 7¾"-9¾" tall; Type: Book The chariot changed the face of ancient warfare. First in Mesopotamia, then in Asia Minor and Egypt, charioteers came to dominate the battlefield. In c. 1286 BC at Kadesh in the Eastern Mediterranean-where the troops of Ramesses II overwhelmed the Hittites-5, 000 chariots were deployed. Its use is recounted in Indian epics and Chinese histories. Homer's Iliad tells of the attack on Troy by Greek charioteers. When Alexander the Great descended into the North Indian plain in early 326BC, he found chariots as well as elephants in the armies ranged against him. After its disappearance from the battlefield, chariot racing attracted hundreds of thousands of spectators. The Emperor Nero drove his own ten-horse chariot in the Olympic Games (he fell out but still won the prize). In Constantinople in AD 352 a three-day riot, ignited by a chariot race, left over 30, 000 people dead after the Emperor Justinian had to send in troops to restore order. This unique book traces the rise and fall of the chariot right across the Old World, from Ireland, through Rome, Greece, Mesopotamia, Egypt, India and China. Illustrated throughout and exploring the chariot's legacy.344pp.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Fine in dw. Early Warfare The chariot changed the face of ancient warfare. First in West Asia and Egypt, then in India and China, charioteers dominated the battlefield. In 1274 BC at Kadesh in present-day Syria-where the untried pharaoh Ramesses II was nearly defeated by the Hittites-5, 000 chariots were deployed in battle. Its use as a war machine is graphically recounted in Indian epics and Chinese chronicles. Homer's Iliad tells of the attack on Troy by Greek heroes who rode in chariots. In 326 BC Alexander the Great faced charioteers in northern India, while in 55 BC, on a Kent beach, Julius Caesar was met by British chariots UL-XXXXXX. 344pp illustrations.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Simply Brit – welcome to our online used book store, where affordability meets great quality. Dive into a world of captivating reads without breaking the bank. We take pride in offering a wide selection of used books, from classics to hidden gems, ensuring there's something for every literary palate. All orders are shipped within 24 hours and our lightning fast-delivery within 48 hours coupled with our prompt customer service ensures a smooth journey from ordering to delivery. Discover the joy of reading with us, your trusted source for affordable books that do not compromise on quality.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Fine in fine dust jacket. First Edition. A hardback First Edition in Fine condition, in a Near Fine dustjacket. This book is in stock now, in our UK premises. Photos of our books are available on request (the pictures you see on Alibris are NOT our own). Are you outside UK? Then unless you arrange shipping 'Via Alibris' we WILL cancel your order; this is due to the derisory shipping allowance that Alibris make to sellers for overseas orders.