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

This text is a survey of Roman military and civil intelligence. The authors examine in detail the operation and gradual development of Roman intelligence-gathering from fragile beginnings to a high level of competence. 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. This text may be useful reading for students and teachers of Roman history. It may also appeal to those with a general interest in military or diplomatic history.