Results 1 to 3 of 3

Thread: The Scriptorium Article Review VII

  1. #1
    jimkatalanos's Avatar 浪人
    Patrician

    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Nationless
    Posts
    14,483

    Default The Scriptorium Article Review VII



    Cannae, August 3, 216 BC. Was Maharbal Correct?
    Author: Spartan JKM
    Original Thread:Cannae, August 3, 216 BC. Was Maharbal Correct?

    This masterfully written piece takes the reader on a profound journey to one of the most famous battles of antiquity- Cannae. Going beyond the conventional train of thought, the author analyzes a quote by Maharbal (which those who play Rome Total War have seen).
    "Hannibal knew how to win a victory, but not how to use it."
    Spartan JKM goes on an in-depth analysis of the quote, following up with more quotes from reputable sources such as Sir Basil Henry Lidell Hart, Will Durant, and Polybius. He backs up his information with diagrams and battle dispositions from the battles of Trebia, Cannae, and Lake Trasimene.
    The verdict: was Maharbal correct in his near-prophetic dialogue after Cannae?
    Read this excellent piece and find out!



    Cheers, Legio Caesar
    Ερωτηθεὶς τι ποτ' αυτώ περιγέγονεν εκ φιλοσοφίας, έφη, «Το ανεπιτάκτως ποιείν ά τινες διά τον από των νόμων φόβον ποιούσιν.


    Under the professional guidance of TWC's Zone expert Garbarsardar
    Patron of Noble Savage, Dimitri_Harkov, MasterOfThessus, The Fuzz, aja5191, Furin, neoptolemos, AnthoniusII, Legio, agisilaos, Romanos IV, Taiji, Leo, Jom, Jarlaxe






    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 
    The universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it.


    The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts.


    If you desire to be good, begin by believing that you are wicked.


    We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.


    οὕτως ἀταλαίπωρος τοῖς πολλοῖς ἡ ζήτησις τῆς ἀληθείας, καὶ ἐπὶ τὰ ἑτοῖμα μᾶλλον τρέπονται.


    Questions are not necessarily there to be answered, but possibly there to inspire thinking.


    Nullius addictus iurare in verba magistri, - quo me cumque rapit tempestas, deferor hospes.


    If mind is common to us, then also the reason, whereby we are reasoning beings, is common. If this be so, then also the reason which enjoins what is to be done or left undone is common. If this be so, law also is common; if this be so, we are citizens; if this be so, we are partakers in one constitution; if this be so, the Universe is a kind of commonwealth.


    Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.


    There is no chaos in the world, only complexity.
    Knowledge of the complex is wisdom.
    From wisdom of the world comes wisdom of the self.
    Mastery of the self is mastery of the world. Loss of the self is the source of suffering.
    Suffering is a choice, and we can refuse it.
    It is in our power to create the world, or destroy it.


    Homo homini lupus est. Homo sacra res homini.


    When deeds speak, words are nothing.


    Human history is a litany of blood, shed over different ideals of rulership and afterlife


    Sol lucet omnibus.


    You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.


    Neither should a ship rely on one small anchor, nor should life rest on a single hope.


    The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion.


    Ο Νούς νοεί τον εαυτόν του ως κράτιστος και η νόησή του είναι της νοήσεως νόησις.


    'Nothing is true, everything is permitted.' is merely an observation of the nature of reality. To say that nothing is true, is to realize that the foundations of society are fragile, and that we must be the shepherds of our own civilization. To say that everything is permitted, is to understand that we are the architects of our actions, and that we must live with their consequences, whether glorious or tragic.

  2. #2

    Default Re: The Scriptorium Article Review VII

    A great Article worthy of any Magazine or Historyforum with collections of historic accounts and personal judgements. A great read for any historyfanatic. The only thing that could better this post might be a few more pictures to lighten up the read (historic maps or pictures of the typical soldiers of that time).

    A great read if you´re willing to take the time...

  3. #3

    Default Re: The Scriptorium Article Review VII

    I am very happy to see this!!

    That article is more sought by me for information than many books! One specific of Spartan JKM's contributory value for students is a gem: he not only quotes Polybius and Livy, as well as modern scholars like Hart and Lazenby, but provides where in their works they wrote it, as well as links to other source stuff - that is like, so thoughtful . As an ancient history buff, particularly on Rome's struggle with Hannibal, I am beholden to Spartan JKM (James MacKinnon) for the manner he presents his data, affording us to find it online or in books for ourselves, and all the PM counsel he has given. My favorite discussions are when he and ThiudareiksGunthigg have crossed paths; it hasn't happened often, but they were discussing the backdrop of the Teutoburger Wald and Adrianople battles, and the exuding info and superior analyses was fabulous to read between them (though in those topics and eras TG seems the slightly superior, not that this is a grading scale)!

    A deserved praise here (gosh, he's even quite handsome )

    Thanks, Excelsior.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •