In the Mediterranean, the most fought-over region in the world, the figures of potentates and conquerors appear god-like: Thutmosis, Leonidas, Xerxes, Pyrrhus, Hannibal, Caesar and Vercingetorix. Ancient history, from Pharaonic Egypt and the Shahs of Persia, to the Golden Age of Greece and the conquests of Alexander the Great and his dream of universal brotherhood, is dominated by these incredible characters. And then comes Rome, the supreme political event of ancient history and the world's first superpower. This volume is the history of incredible men, brave and reckless, intelligent and foolish, lucky and ill-fated, engaging their forces in battles that are prime examples of ruse, trickery, chance, stupidity and military brilliance. Warlords invent tactics never used before, and use them to change history decisively. Erik Durschmied looks at 17 of ancient history's most fascinating battles, many of which have been almost forgotten, but which in reality changed both the world and time itself.