Intelligence Activities in Ancient Rome
Subtitle: Trust the Gods, but Verify
Edition: 1 edition
Publisher: Frank Cass
Published: February 3, 2005
Language: eng
Format: Hardcover
Number of pages: 352
ISBN-13: 9780714654805
Subjects: Espionage & secret services; Rome; History: World; History; True Crime / Espionage; Ancient Rome; Ancient - Rome; Espionage; History / Ancient / Rome; Military - General; Intelligence service
First sentence: The Romans built an empire that lasted a thousand years; this book is an attempt to trace the diffuse intelligence-collecting methods used by the Romans to make that empire possible.
Description: Professor Sheldon uses the modern concept of the intelligence cycle to trace intelligence activities in Rome whether they were done by private citizens, the government, or the military.

Examining a broad range of activities the book looks at the many  types of espionage tradecraft that have left their traces in the ancient sources:

* intelligence and counterintelligence gathering
* covert action
* clandestine operations
* the use of codes and ciphers

Dispelling the myth that such activities are a modern invention, Professor Sheldon explores how these ancient spy stories have modern echoes as well. What is the role of an intelligence service in a free republic? When do the security needs of the state outweigh the rights of the citizen? If we cannot trust our own security services, how safe can we be? Although protected by the Praetorian Guard, seventy-five percent of Roman emperors died by assassination or under attack by pretenders to his throne. Who was guarding the guardians?