Geographical Concepts And Intelligence Essay, Research Paper

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Did Romans have

necessary topological skill to accurately map boundaries etc for strategy. ?

Madaba Mapo ? would modern military planners find this serviceable.? Little knowledge of geography for strategic

purposes. Any info after the event. ?

Roman intelligence

rudimentary at best in East ? ample evidence to show Romans head East without

knowing where they were going. ?

Dependence on local

guides show Romans did not possess adequate geographical information before

embarking on major foreign campaigns. ? Aelius Gallus attempt in Southern

Arabia. ?

Neither Pliny nor

Starbo found information from military campaigns trustworthy. ?

People who look at

large scale maps for conclusions regarding strategy ? using concepts and

methods not available to the Romans..?

Romans thought of population not geography in their thinking.? Didn?t think primarily of defence either. ?

No evidence either of

military or state police to spot revolts within Empire or even in the army. ?

BUT BYZANTINE period

Rome and Persia paying travellers to spy for the state on affairs there. ?

Byzantium 600 ? only

purpose of intelligence to gather information about enemy strength and

movements in order to prevent surprise.?

Military handbooks show General must know if he can get to supplies in

short distance ? how do they obtain this info? ?

Stressed people should

be captured to give information ? but only good during campaign.? Byzantine handbook no mention of geography ?

no stress that info needed before incursion.