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Dr Louis Rawlings
Senior Lecturer in Ancient History, Safety, Health and Environment and Facilities Lead
Overview
Research interests
- Ancient warfare (Greek, Roman Republican, Italian, Gallic, Carthaginian)
- Warrior values and display
- State formation
- Carthage (including Hannibal)
- Ethnography and history
- Antiquity in gaming (physical and digital)
Research projects
Carthaginian Warfare (6th to 2nd centuries BC)
Publication
2023
- Hall, J. R. and Rawlings, L. 2023. Unit cohesion in the multi-ethnic armies of Carthage. In: Hall, J. R., Rawlings, L. and Lee, G. eds. Unit Cohesion and Warfare in the Ancient World. London: Routledge, pp. 78-106., (10.4324/9781315171753-6)
- Rawlings, L. 2023. '..They Were Routed': Cohesion and disintegration in ancient battle. In: Hall, J. R., Rawlings, L. and Lee, G. eds. Unit Cohesion and Warfare in the Ancient World. London: Routledge, pp. 158-179., (10.4324/9781315171753-10)
2017
- Rawlings, L. 2017. Warlords, Carthage and the limits of hegemony. In: Naco del Hoyo, T. and Lopez Sanchez, F. eds. War Warlords and Interstate Relations in the Ancient Mediterranean., Vol. 28. Impact of Empire Leiden: Brill, pp. 151-180., (10.1163/9789004354050_009)
- Rawlings, L. 2017. Chapter 53 Invasions of Britain, 55 and 54 BC. In: Whitby, M. and Sidebottom, H. eds. The Encyclopedia of Ancient Battles., Vol. 2. Wiley Blackwell, pp. 931-935., (10.1002/9781119099000.wbabat0540)
- Rawlings, L. 2017. Chapter 52 The Gallic Wars, 61-51 BC. In: Whitby, M. and Sidebottom, H. eds. The Encyclopedia of Ancient Battles., Vol. 2. Wiley Blackwell, pp. 913-930., (10.1002/9781119099000.wbabat0530)
- Rawlings, L. 2017. Chapter 44 The Roman Conquest of Southern Gaul, 125-121 BC. In: Whitby, M. and Sidebottom, H. eds. The Encyclopedia of Ancient Battles., Vol. 2. Wiley Blackwell, pp. 858-864., (10.1002/9781119099000.wbabat0450)
- Rawlings, L. 2017. Chapter 32 The Roman Conquest of Cisalpine Gaul 201-191 BC. In: Whitby, M. and Sidebottom, H. eds. The Encyclopedia of Ancient Battles., Vol. 2. Wiley Blackwell, pp. 797-801., (10.1002/9781119099000.wbabat0330)
- Rawlings, L. 2017. Chapter 30 The Gallic Wars, Northern Italy 225-222 BC. In: Whitby, M. and Sidebottom, H. eds. The Encyclopedia of Ancient Battles., Vol. 2. Wiley Blackwell, pp. 664-667., (10.1002/9781119099000.wbabat0310)
2016
- Rawlings, L. 2016. The significance of insignificant engagements: irregular warfare during the Punic Wars. In: Armstrong, J. ed. Circum Mare: Themes in Ancient Warfare. Mnemosyne, Supplements Vol. 388. Leiden: Brill, pp. 204-234.
2013
- Rawlings, L. 2013. War and warfare in Ancient Greece’. In: Campbell, B. and Tritle, L. A. eds. The Oxford Handbook of Warfare in the Classical World. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 3-28.
2011
- Rawlings, L. 2011. A dog called Hybris. In: Lambert, S. D. ed. Sociable man: essays on Ancient Greek social behaviour in honour of Nick Fisher. Swansea: Classical Press of Wales, pp. 145-159.
- Rawlings, L. 2011. The war in Italy, 218–203. In: Hoyos, B. D. ed. A companion to the Punic Wars. Blackwell Companions to the Ancient World Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell, pp. 299-319.
2010
- Rawlings, L. 2010. The Carthaginian navy: questions and assumptions. In: Fagan, G. and Trundle, M. eds. New Perspectives on Ancient Warfare. History of Warfare Vol. 59. Leiden, Netherlands: Brill, pp. 253-288.
2009
- Rawlings, L. 2009. Ancient warfare. In: Erskine, A. ed. A Companion to Ancient History. Wiley, pp. 531-542.
2007
- Rawlings, L. 2007. The ancient Greeks at war. Manchester: Manchester University Press.
- Rawlings, L. 2007. Hannibal the cannibal? Polybius on Barcid atrocities. Working paper. Cardiff: Cardiff University.
- Rawlings, L. 2007. Army and battle during the conquest of Italy (350-264 BC). In: Paul, E. ed. A Companion to the Roman Army. Blackwell Publishing, pp. 45-62.
2005
- Rawlings, L. 2005. Hannibal and Hercules. In: Rawlings, L. and Bowden, H. eds. Herakles and Hercules: Exploring a Graeco-Roman Divinity. Classical Press of Wales, pp. 153-184.
- Rawlings, L. and Bowden, H. 2005. Herakles and Hercules: exploring a Graeco-Roman divinity. Swansea: The Classical Press of Wales.
2000
- Rawlings, L. 2000. Alternative agonies: hoplite martial and combat experiences beyond the phalanx. In: Van Wees, H. ed. War and Violence in Ancient Greece. Duckworth & Classical Press of Wales, pp. 233-259.
1999
- Rawlings, L. 1999. Condottieri and clansmen: early Italian raiding, warfare and the state. In: Hopwood, K. ed. Organised Crime in Antiquity. Duckworth & Classical Press of Wales, pp. 97-127.
1998
- Rawlings, L. 1998. Caesar's portrayal of Gauls as warriors. In: Powell, A. and Welch, K. eds. Julius Caesar as Artful Reporter: The War Commentaries as Political Instruments. Duckworth & Classical Press of Wales, pp. 171-192.
1996
- Rawlings, L. 1996. Celts, Spaniards and Samnites: warriors in a soldiers' war. In: Cornell, T., Rankov, B. and Sabin, P. eds. The Second Punic War: A Reappraisal. Institute of Classical Studies, pp. 81-95.
Book sections
- Hall, J. R. and Rawlings, L. 2023. Unit cohesion in the multi-ethnic armies of Carthage. In: Hall, J. R., Rawlings, L. and Lee, G. eds. Unit Cohesion and Warfare in the Ancient World. London: Routledge, pp. 78-106., (10.4324/9781315171753-6)
- Rawlings, L. 2023. '..They Were Routed': Cohesion and disintegration in ancient battle. In: Hall, J. R., Rawlings, L. and Lee, G. eds. Unit Cohesion and Warfare in the Ancient World. London: Routledge, pp. 158-179., (10.4324/9781315171753-10)
- Rawlings, L. 2017. Warlords, Carthage and the limits of hegemony. In: Naco del Hoyo, T. and Lopez Sanchez, F. eds. War Warlords and Interstate Relations in the Ancient Mediterranean., Vol. 28. Impact of Empire Leiden: Brill, pp. 151-180., (10.1163/9789004354050_009)
- Rawlings, L. 2017. Chapter 53 Invasions of Britain, 55 and 54 BC. In: Whitby, M. and Sidebottom, H. eds. The Encyclopedia of Ancient Battles., Vol. 2. Wiley Blackwell, pp. 931-935., (10.1002/9781119099000.wbabat0540)
- Rawlings, L. 2017. Chapter 52 The Gallic Wars, 61-51 BC. In: Whitby, M. and Sidebottom, H. eds. The Encyclopedia of Ancient Battles., Vol. 2. Wiley Blackwell, pp. 913-930., (10.1002/9781119099000.wbabat0530)
- Rawlings, L. 2017. Chapter 44 The Roman Conquest of Southern Gaul, 125-121 BC. In: Whitby, M. and Sidebottom, H. eds. The Encyclopedia of Ancient Battles., Vol. 2. Wiley Blackwell, pp. 858-864., (10.1002/9781119099000.wbabat0450)
- Rawlings, L. 2017. Chapter 32 The Roman Conquest of Cisalpine Gaul 201-191 BC. In: Whitby, M. and Sidebottom, H. eds. The Encyclopedia of Ancient Battles., Vol. 2. Wiley Blackwell, pp. 797-801., (10.1002/9781119099000.wbabat0330)
- Rawlings, L. 2017. Chapter 30 The Gallic Wars, Northern Italy 225-222 BC. In: Whitby, M. and Sidebottom, H. eds. The Encyclopedia of Ancient Battles., Vol. 2. Wiley Blackwell, pp. 664-667., (10.1002/9781119099000.wbabat0310)
- Rawlings, L. 2016. The significance of insignificant engagements: irregular warfare during the Punic Wars. In: Armstrong, J. ed. Circum Mare: Themes in Ancient Warfare. Mnemosyne, Supplements Vol. 388. Leiden: Brill, pp. 204-234.
- Rawlings, L. 2013. War and warfare in Ancient Greece’. In: Campbell, B. and Tritle, L. A. eds. The Oxford Handbook of Warfare in the Classical World. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 3-28.
- Rawlings, L. 2011. A dog called Hybris. In: Lambert, S. D. ed. Sociable man: essays on Ancient Greek social behaviour in honour of Nick Fisher. Swansea: Classical Press of Wales, pp. 145-159.
- Rawlings, L. 2011. The war in Italy, 218–203. In: Hoyos, B. D. ed. A companion to the Punic Wars. Blackwell Companions to the Ancient World Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell, pp. 299-319.
- Rawlings, L. 2010. The Carthaginian navy: questions and assumptions. In: Fagan, G. and Trundle, M. eds. New Perspectives on Ancient Warfare. History of Warfare Vol. 59. Leiden, Netherlands: Brill, pp. 253-288.
- Rawlings, L. 2009. Ancient warfare. In: Erskine, A. ed. A Companion to Ancient History. Wiley, pp. 531-542.
- Rawlings, L. 2007. Army and battle during the conquest of Italy (350-264 BC). In: Paul, E. ed. A Companion to the Roman Army. Blackwell Publishing, pp. 45-62.
- Rawlings, L. 2005. Hannibal and Hercules. In: Rawlings, L. and Bowden, H. eds. Herakles and Hercules: Exploring a Graeco-Roman Divinity. Classical Press of Wales, pp. 153-184.
- Rawlings, L. 2000. Alternative agonies: hoplite martial and combat experiences beyond the phalanx. In: Van Wees, H. ed. War and Violence in Ancient Greece. Duckworth & Classical Press of Wales, pp. 233-259.
- Rawlings, L. 1999. Condottieri and clansmen: early Italian raiding, warfare and the state. In: Hopwood, K. ed. Organised Crime in Antiquity. Duckworth & Classical Press of Wales, pp. 97-127.
- Rawlings, L. 1998. Caesar's portrayal of Gauls as warriors. In: Powell, A. and Welch, K. eds. Julius Caesar as Artful Reporter: The War Commentaries as Political Instruments. Duckworth & Classical Press of Wales, pp. 171-192.
- Rawlings, L. 1996. Celts, Spaniards and Samnites: warriors in a soldiers' war. In: Cornell, T., Rankov, B. and Sabin, P. eds. The Second Punic War: A Reappraisal. Institute of Classical Studies, pp. 81-95.
Books
- Rawlings, L. 2007. The ancient Greeks at war. Manchester: Manchester University Press.
- Rawlings, L. and Bowden, H. 2005. Herakles and Hercules: exploring a Graeco-Roman divinity. Swansea: The Classical Press of Wales.
Monographs
- Rawlings, L. 2007. Hannibal the cannibal? Polybius on Barcid atrocities. Working paper. Cardiff: Cardiff University.
- Rawlings, L. 2013. War and warfare in Ancient Greece’. In: Campbell, B. and Tritle, L. A. eds. The Oxford Handbook of Warfare in the Classical World. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 3-28.
- Rawlings, L. 2011. A dog called Hybris. In: Lambert, S. D. ed. Sociable man: essays on Ancient Greek social behaviour in honour of Nick Fisher. Swansea: Classical Press of Wales, pp. 145-159.
- Rawlings, L. 2011. The war in Italy, 218–203. In: Hoyos, B. D. ed. A companion to the Punic Wars. Blackwell Companions to the Ancient World Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell, pp. 299-319.
- Rawlings, L. 2010. The Carthaginian navy: questions and assumptions. In: Fagan, G. and Trundle, M. eds. New Perspectives on Ancient Warfare. History of Warfare Vol. 59. Leiden, Netherlands: Brill, pp. 253-288.
Research
Projects
Carthaginian Warfare (6th to 2nd centuries BC)
The Punic military system is a relatively neglected topic. For the most part, treatments have been subsumed into more general histories of Carthage or narratives of Rome's wars with the city. Modern assumptions about the nature of Punic warfare have often been influenced by ancient stereotypes of the Carthaginians as a mercantile and unwarlike people who depended on a small elite of citizen career generals who commanded mercenary armies with little interest or support from the broader Punic elite or general population. A rigorous examination of such perspectives is long overdue and by drawing on recent studies of the manner in which authors, such as Polybius, consciously and sub-consciously shaped their material this study will produce a better understanding of the distorting effects of historical and ethnographic writing in shaping modern perceptions, and a more sophisticated and nuanced appraisal of the dynamics of Carthaginian warfare.
The purpose of the project is to assess the nature of Carthaginian war-making and its influence on the development of warfare in the western Mediterranean and beyond, from the sixth to the second century BC.
Teaching
Undergraduate
- Introduction to Ancient History (HS3105)
- Rome and Carthage (HS3333)
- Tyrants, Kings and Democrats: Classical Greece (HS3374)
- Gaming Antiquity (HS3392)
- Greek Warfare (HS4366)
Postgraduate
- Ancient Warfare - 20 credits (HST009)
Research supervision
I have supervised PhDs on various aspects of Greek and Roman military history, Greek social history, and historiography. I am happy to consider supervising topics relating to Greek, Roman Republican and Carthaginian warfare and society.
Biography
Education and qualifications
1987-1990, 1991-1994 University College London
1990 BA Ancient and Medieval History, 1st class honours
1997 PhD (thesis: The Ethos of Aristocratic Warrior Elites in the Ancient World)
Career overview
1995 Lecturer in Cardiff School of History and Archaeology
Contact Details
Rawlings@cardiff.ac.uk
+44 29208 75744
John Percival Building, Room 4.02, Colum Drive, Cardiff, CF10 3EU
+44 29208 75744
John Percival Building, Room 4.02, Colum Drive, Cardiff, CF10 3EU