Exploratio: Military & Political Intelligence in the Roman World from the Second Punic War to the Battle of Adrianople - Hardcover

Austin, N. J. E.; Rankov, N. B.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0415049458 ISBN 13: 9780415049450

Publisher: Routledge, 1998

Synopsis

Exploratio is the first ever survey of Roman military and civil intelligence. The authors examine in detail the operation and gradual development of Roman intelligence-gathering from shaky beginnings to a high level of excellence. They identify who gathered it, and for whom.
This study shows the effects of intelligence on policy formation at various levels from the purely local through to the global. The consequences of various instances of the mishandling of information are uncovered. Austin and Rankov also demonstrate that intelligence gathering was not necessarily directed from Rome, but had for practical reasons to be carried out and processed on the frontiers themselves.
Exploratio is important reading for all students and teachers of Roman history. It will also appeal to those with a general interest in military or diplomatic history.

About this title

About the Author

N. B. Rankov, N. J. E. Austin

From the Back Cover

Exploratio investigates how intelligence was gathered and handled in the Roman Empire, in the long term to help formulate strategy and in the short term for tactical reasons. Austin and Rankov discuss who gathered it and for whom, and how it grew in sophistication and accuracy over the six centuries from the outbreak of the Second Punic War in 218 BC to the Battle of Adrianople in AD 378. The authors show how proper archives and communications contributed towards improving readiness against threats to the Empire's external security, and lessening the serious effects that mistakes and shortcomings could have on battles and campaigns. The book also demonstrates how information was collected and processed by various bodies in the military and administrative spheres, and how it made a considerable impact on policy formation at all levels - from the purely local to the global.

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0415049458
• ISBN 13: 9780415049450
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 318