This book examines the many facets of Greek leadership during the Classical Age through the unique perspective of eight generals regarded as outstanding shapers of Greek military history. The work also draws attention to the important role that the general's personality played in his command.

CONTENTS List of Maps and Illustrations List of Abbreviations Introduction: Greek Generals and Warfare in the Classical Age Eight Greek Generals Two Generals in Action Greek Generals: Responsibilities and Personality What Generals Did, Their Qualifications, and Their Offices Land Warfare The Armies of Sparta, Athens, Boeotia, Syracuse, Persia, and Carthage Greek Battleships and Navies CH. 1 Leonidas of Sparta: the Lion at the Gates Leonidas' Sparta and His Military Challenges The Threat of War Preliminaries to the battle of Thermopylae Leonidas in Thermopylae The Aftermath Conclusion CH. 2 Themistocles of Athens: the Clever Counselor Themistocles, His City and His Military Challenges Themistocles and the Athenian Navy Themistocles and the Persian War till the Battle of Artemision Themistocles in Artemision The Battle of Salamis Themistocles after Salamis Conclusion CH. 3 Pericles of Athens: the Magisterial Commander Pericles, Athenian Democracy and His Military Challenges Pericles' Generalship Prior to the War against Samos (463/2?441) The Samian Revolt Pericles' Strategy of the Peloponnesian War Pericles and the Peloponnesian War: The Limits of his Strategy Conclusion Ch. 4 Demosthenes of Athens: The Master of Surprise Demosthenes and His Military Challenges Defeat and Victories in Western Greece Astonishing Success in Pylos Sneak Attack on Megara Coming Out Empty-Handed in Boeotia Disaster in Sicily Conclusion CH. 5 Lysander of Sparta: The Lion and the Fox Lysander and His Military Challenges Lysander's First Admiralship and the Battle of Notium Victory at Aegospotami Lysander and the Spartan Empire The Fall of a Hero Conclusion CH. 6 Dionysius I of Syracuse: The Evolution of a General Dionysius' Syracuse and His Military Challenges Dionysius' Early Career up to the Battle of Gela (405) The Buildup of Syracuse's Power Preparations for the Second Carthaginian War (397-392) The Siege of Motya Besieged in Syracuse Campaigns in Southern Italy (ca. 396-383) The Third and Fourth Carthaginian Wars (383-367) Conclusion Ch. 7 Epaminondas and Pelopidas of Thebes Epaminondas and Pelopidas, Their Military Challenges and Their City Revolution in Thebes The Sacred Band and the Battle of Tegyra (375) The Battle of Leuctra (371) Theban Supremacy and the First Invasion of the Peloponnese The Second Invasion of the Peloponnese Pelopidas' Missteps in Thessaly The Third Invasion of the Peloponnese and the Naval Bill Pelopidas' Last Battle Epaminondas' Last Battle Conclusion Ch. 8 Conclusion The Art of Command: Planning, Management and Tactics The Art of Command: Personality Bibliography A. The Main Ancient Sources B. Modern Literature

"This is an important book, accessible to students, scholars, and the lay reader. The writing style is clear and focused, and in each chapter Roisman blends ancient evidence with scholarly perception, reaching compelling and thought-provoking conclusions. This will become a standard work in the study of ancient warfare and military leadership." -- Journal of Military History "The book is written in a flowing, easy style which makes it pleasure to read and accessible to undergraduates, and at the same time it contains insights which are valuable for modern scholarly discussions, some of which have been singled out above. Roisman succeeds in stressing the versatility expected from classical Greek generals and the importance of their personalities for the course of history." -- Pavel Nývlt, Institute of Philosophy, Czech Academy of Sciences, Listy Filologické "Overall, the material in this work is informed, well-presented, and supported by outstanding, careful research. This is an excellent contribution to this area of scholarship, and does a wonderful job of demonstrating the complexities of this type of leadership role, the planning and management of ancient warfare, and sheds new light on a number of well-known and important battles during this age. The general reader, as well as students and scholars, will find this work interesting and insightful. The Classical Art of Command will be a fundamental work for research into various aspects of Greek warfare and ancient Greek command during the Classical Age, as well as the lives and careers of these famous generals." --Charlotte Dunn, Ancient History Bulletin "[Roisman] is to be especially commended for the clarity, with which he traces the often complex shifts in alliances, particularly in the period after the Peloponnesian War-a not insignificant detail, since the ability to cement or undermine these alliances was an important weapon in the commander's arsenal. With 38 illustrations and 38 maps, an extensive bibliography and a useful survey of primary sources, this is a welcome addition to the library of anyone interested in the ancient Greek world." --David Stuttard, Classics For All "This well-conceived and carefully researched book will inform and delight scholars and the general public alike. The Classical Art of Command is accessible yet nuanced as it guides the reader through the complex and varied world of the ever-warring Greek polis. Even those not naturally drawn to military history will find interest and merit in Roisman's analysis of the lives of eight generals from Classical Greece and the world they helped shape." --Timothy Howe, St. Olaf College "Roisman presents a breathtaking panorama of the warring states of Greece from age of the Spartan Leonidas and the wily and brilliant Athenian Themistocles to the Theban generals, Pelopidas and Epaminondas, who revolutionized hoplite warfare. Spanning the roughly one hundred and fifty years from the Persian Wars to the emasculation of Sparta by the Thebans, this volume studies eight prominent military figures who contributed to the rise of Greek military supremacy in the era before Philip and Alexander of Macedon. Roisman is well versed in this field and his scholarship is impeccable. More than just a military study, The Classical Art of Command belongs in the library of every student and enthusiast of Greek history." -Waldemar Heckel, University of Calgary

Selling point: First single, comparable book that encompasses detailed investigations of different generals of Classical Greece, showing their impact on Greek war Selling point: Investigates Greek generalship through the individual careers of commanders, highlighting the important role that personality and other factors played in the Greek art of command Selling point: Explores these Greek generals both individually and as measured against ancient and modern yardsticks of military leadership

Joseph Roisman is a Professor of Classics at Colby College. He has authored numerous publications on Ancient Greece, including The Rhetoric of Conspiracy in Ancient Athens and Alexander's Veterans and the Early Wars of the Successors.

Selling point: First single, comparable book that encompasses detailed investigations of different generals of Classical Greece, showing their impact on Greek war Selling point: Investigates Greek generalship through the individual careers of commanders, highlighting the important role that personality and other factors played in the Greek art of command Selling point: Explores these Greek generals both individually and as measured against ancient and modern yardsticks of military leadership