Gaius Julius Caesar was seemingly a “benevolent dictator,” wasn’t he? He was what Rome needed after nearly a century of strife. Despite Caesar’s pompous attitude, assassination is never justified. His compassion, expansion of the Senate, and strict adherence to elections for plebian office demonstrated a desire to serve the people of Rome and not merely…
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The Sicilian Slave Revolts of Ancient Rome
What we can learn from the Servile Wars The slave revolts or First and Second Servile Wars in Sicily during the 130s BC and again in 104 BC were widespread and brutal. Sicily had become a vital agricultural colony for the Roman Republic following the Punic Wars. As such, many Romans and Italians owned property there and…
The Mad King Cleomenes
Well before the events that spawned the film 300, Cleomenes I reigned over Sparta. He is one of the most interesting characters in Spartan history. He reigned in Sparta from 524–490 BCE and was succeeded by the famous Leonidas I of Thermopylae fame. A rightful heir to the Spartan throne, he may have never been the best…
The Surrender of Pactyes
Tough Decisions in the face of Cyrus the Great Pactyes was a Lydian in charge of the civil administration of government in Sardis, present-day Turkey. How much can we trust Herodotus to tell the whole story? Nevertheless, this is one of the difficult decisions made in the face of overwhelming power. Pactyes journeyed throughout ancient…
Rome, Carthage, and a few Punic War Hypotheticals
What if things had turned out slightly different? Could Hannibal have secured victory? During two successive wars, it is likely that Rome’s victories were unavoidable. Carthage was predominantly unable to overcome Roman military power due to its inability to comprehend Roman resolve. During the first war, it was unfathomable at the onset to see Rome as…
Sulla: The False Savior of the Roman Republic
Many regard Sulla as the savior of the Roman republic. However, that is incorrect. Before his reign, Sulla marched his Army on Rome itself twice and established himself as a dictator, and in so doing challenged Roman Mos Maiorum. As dictator, Sulla gained control through a reign of terror that had not existed in Rome since the…
Philip, Greater Than Alexander?
Father really did know best Alexander was a great military mind who expanded his empire and Greek influence further than anyone could have imagined. He was brilliant, charismatic, and aggressive; however, he owes his success to his father. Without a visionary father, Alexander would not have enjoyed the overwhelming success that defines him. While the…
What were Spartan Motives in the Peloponnesian War?
Fear. Honor. Interest. While multiple incidents drove the Spartans to declare war on Athens, the fear of Athenian power was undoubtedly not the driving force behind Sparta’s decision. A mighty Athens presented a clear and present danger to the economic and political sovereignty of the Peloponnesian League and required a response. Athens displayed strong empirical…
Is There a Western Way of War?
In this article I introduce the debate over a Western Way of War and some of the key works that have driven the discussion. In twin books, The Western Way of War: Infantry Battle in Classical Greece and Carnage and Culture: Landmark Battles in the Rise of Western Power the eminent historian Victor Davis Hanson argued that that several…
Macedonian Combined Arms Warfare
This is an adaptation of one of the first undergraduate papers I ever wrote, enjoy! The Macedonian army exhibited a tactical brilliance that set a precedent in the employment of concentrated force. Their tactics represent the culmination of centuries of Greek warfare. Before the reforms of Philip, warfare in the region was two city-states pitting…