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Why did the Romans defeat the Macedonians and Seleucids so easily?

Adrian Goldsworthy. Historian and Novelist

32,491 views

Today I try to answer several questions about the confrontation between Rome and the Hellenistic Kingdoms of the Eastern Mediterranean - espcially the Macedonians and Seleucids. In contrast to the monumental struggle between Rome and Carthage, where Hannibal in particular inflicted very costly defeats on the Romans, the wars with the 'sophisticated' military powers of the east seem much more one sided - brief and decided by a single pitched battle. How fair is the sense that these conflicts were 'easier' for the Romans to win, and if they were - why was this?

20 Comments

@davisdilanchian 10 months ago

Recently found this channel and I have become such a fan.

@Sir.suspicious 10 months ago

About your cat, if he's drinking water out of a glass it might mean he's thirsty, sometimes cats don't like to have their bowl of water right next to a bowl of food, if that's the case he might indeed be looking for water elsewhere

@robhalstrom2937 10 months ago

“There are many things you don’t mind sharing, but water with a cat is not….”

Fantastic

@NothingIsNot 10 months ago

Came for the history stayed for the cat 🤣

@TomAndrejko 10 months ago

I grew up learning about Rome through your books, especially the ones about the Punic war

@lazarus8910 10 months ago

Looks like Greeks hated Romans less than they hated other Greeks.

@BrandonGallemore 10 months ago

Huge history buff. Youtube just recommended me to your channel. Seems like the algorithm is working in your favor. No idea how I never heard you before; right up my alley. I've got a more skeptical view of history, but I believe a lot of what you say is well-researched.

@brucealbert4686 10 months ago

Excellent but more Gus 🐈 required

@sirkaapo2178 10 months ago (edited)

We can endlessly debate the tactical minutiae of the macedonian phalanx vs the manipular legion, but the real strategic reason why Rome became master of the Mediterranean was because it had an unique social and political robustness which no other society could replicate.

@darthcalanil5333 10 months ago

What a pleasant surprise to wake up to

@SNP-1999 10 months ago

What always immensely impressed me about the Romans was the story that even while Hannibal stood at the gates of Rome with his army, they sent their legions out of the city by a back route to be shipped to Spain ! I mean the confidence and sheer audacity of ignoring a main threat and thinking of the next campaign elsewhere is mind boggling. 😂

@adtyjsrtjsrtj 10 months ago

Thanks for answering my question! I also think this would be a fascinating topic for a book

@StudioLomica 10 months ago

Loving the new series of lectures and q&a coming out

@aprince1250 2 months ago

Great topic for a discussion and one I've wondered myself in the past. Thanks for breaking it down.

@EcclesiastesLiker-py5ts 10 months ago (edited)

Since I learned about t gondii I cant hear of a cat without thinking about it...

Thank you for your history

@HarmlessTed 10 months ago

You, sir, have the most interesting channel on YT. Thank you for this!

@davidsabillon5182 10 months ago

Fascinating. I never thought of this question! This could be a whole book!

@mihaiionita5648 10 months ago

Excellent analysis, professor! Compelling and easy to follow as always, and I also find it fascinating how, in an almost two-hour long video, you are constantly saying that certain matters are beyond the scope of this video or how they should be discussed another time. Just goes to show the vastness and complexity of the subject. Thank you for uploading these high quality lectures on YouTube.

@jeremyelkington655 10 months ago

Thankyou for another brilliantly informative video. Would love to see you review The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964) and perhaps a video on the generalship of Sulla whose track record is very strong. He seems like the type of general who could have perhaps rivalled Caesar if he had more time to, say, pursue further battles in the east. Cheers