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…
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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…