The origin of the Western military tradition in Greece 750-362 BC is fraught with controversies, such as the date and nature of the phalanx, the role of agricultural destruction and the existence of rules and ritualistic practices. This volume collects papers significant for specific points in debates or theoretical value in shaping and critiquing controversial viewpoints. An introduction offers a critical analysis of recent trends in ancient military history and provides a bibliographical essay contextualizing the papers within the framework of debates with a guide to further reading.
Biography
Everett L. Wheeler (A.B., Indiana University/Bloomington; Ph.D., Duke University) has taught History and Classical Studies at the University of Missouri/Columbia, University of Louisville, Duke University, and North Carolina State University, and has held research posts from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton, and the Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation. He was managing editor of Greek, Roman and Byzantine Studies 1989-2003. He has written numerous papers on ancient military history, the Hellenistic and Roman East, and the history of military theory.
'...definitely a very useful volume for everyone engaged in studies of antiquity or military history...the compilation comprises valuable material...providing many opportunities for discussion..The selection of articles provides a good overview of the development and different aspects of the Greek military system.' Studia Humaniora Tartuensia '...a superb introduction to the subject of Classical Greek Warfare.' Prudentia '...a very personal survey of trends and contributions in Greek military history. The articles selected generally illuminate the more salient issues...Very valuable is the wealth of new bibliography that will serve the reader as a worthy guide to this new avenue of investigation.' Bryn Mawr Classical Review