BOOK REVIEW
Generalship in Ancient Greece, Rome and Byzantium by Shaun Tougher & Richard Evans 2022
About the Authors
Shaun Tougher is Professor of Late Roman and Byzantine History at Cardiff University, where he has taught since 1997. His research interests lie in the political and social history of the later Roman and Byzantine empires, especially the Emperor Julian, eunuchs and the Macedonian Dynasty. His recent publications include The Roman Castrati: Eunuchs in the Roman Empire (Bloomsbury, 2021), The Sons of Constantine, AD 337–361: In the Shadows of Constantine and Julian (co-edited with Nicholas Baker-Brian, Palgrave Macmillan, 2020) and The Emperor in the Byzantine World (ed., Routledge, 2019).
Richard Evans taught at the University of South Africa and Cardiff University. In recent years he has been Honorary Research Fellow in the Department of Biblical and Ancient Studies, University of South Africa. His research interests have encompassed much of the political and military history of Greece, the Roman Republic and especially Syracuse. He has also published on the histories of Sybaris, Asia Minor and Pergamum, and the works of Diodorus Siculus and Herodotus. Recent publications include: Ancient Syracuse: From Foundation to Fourth Century Collapse (Routledge, 2016) and A History of Pergamum: Beyond Hellenistic Kingship (Bloomsbury, 2012).
About the Book
This volume is unique in addressing a key aspect of ancient warfare across a broad chronological and cultural span, focusing on generalship from Archaic Greece to the Byzantine Empire in the twelfth century AD. Across this broad span, it explores a range of ideas on how to be a successful general, showing how the art of generalship – a profession that has been occupied variously by the political elite, the mercenary soldier and the eunuch – evolved and adapted to shifting notions of how a good military leader should act.
Highlighting developments and continuities in this age-old profession across the Graeco-Roman world, this volume brings together the latest research on generalship from both established and new voices. The chapters examine both ideals of generalship and specific examples of generals, considering the principles underpinning the roles they played and the qualities desired in them. They discuss in particular the intersection between military and political roles, the addresses delivered by generals to their troops, the virtue of courage and the commemoration of victory as well as defeat. In addition, contributors consider cross-cultural comparisons of generalship, with specific chapters devoted to Persian, Arab and Chinese views.
Considers the ideals and realities of generalship across the Greek, Roman and Byzantine worlds This volume is unique in addressing a key aspect of ancient warfare across a broad chronological and cultural span, focusing on generalship from Archaic Greece to the Byzantine Empire in the twelfth century AD. Across this broad span, it explores a range of ideas on how to be a successful general, showing how the art of generalship – a profession that has been occupied variously by the political elite, the mercenary soldier and the eunuch – evolved and adapted to shifting notions of how a good military leader should act. Highlighting developments and continuities in this age-old profession across the Graeco-Roman world, this volume brings together the latest research on generalship from both established and new voices. The chapters examine both ideals of generalship and specific examples of generals, considering the principles underpinning the roles they played and the qualities desired in
them. They discuss in particular the intersection between military and political roles, the addresses delivered by generals to their troops, the virtue of courage and the commemoration of victory as well as defeat. In addition, contributors consider cross-cultural comparisons of generalship, with specific chapters devoted to Persian, Arab and Chinese views.
Summary of Introduction (excerpt)
- The Art of Generalship: Successful Leadership on the Battlefield
- The art of generalship is a successful leadership technique in a military context
- Victory is achievable with sound management and inspiring leadership on the battlefield
- Ancient cultures valued success in military affairs, evident by Homer’s Iliad as an example
- Generals such as Julius Caesar, Leonidas and Decius are examples of successful (or unsuccessful) military leaders
- Alexander the Great was likely the greatest warrior general of history
- Roman emperor Trajan was equal to Alexander but focused more on managing his armies than fighting on the front lines
- Emperor Julian’s eastern campaign can be seen as his attempt to emulate Alexander and ancient heroes from Greek mythology
- The Warlike Roman Emperors
- Julius Caesar, Augustus and Trajan are considered three of the most warlike Roman Emperors.
- Marcus Aurelius was selected as a philosopher emperor while Constantine sought love and pleasure, but both had military roles nonetheless.
- Alexander the Great was included as one of the finalists for his Homeric generalship on the battlefield and memorable leadership qualities.
- Other notable leaders with similar traits include Epaminondas of Thebes, Julius Caesar, Alexander the Great, and Seleucids.
2. The Warlike Roman Emperors
– Julius Caesar, Augustus and Trajan are considered three of the most warlike Roman Emperors.
– Marcus Aurelius was selected as a philosopher emperor while Constantine sought love and pleasure, but both had military roles nonetheless.
– Alexander the Great was included as one of the finalists for his Homeric generalship on the battlefield and memorable leadership qualities.
– Other notable leaders with similar traits include Epaminondas of Thebes, Julius Caesar, Alexander the Great, and Seleucids.
Discussion
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