Tactical Handbook and the Expedition Against the Alans/Texnh Taktika: A Manual for Ancient Warfare
by Flavius Arrianus
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Description of the "perfect" Hellenistic army written by a Roman official and general (these being one and the same in the early Roman Empire). Probably written especially for the emperor Hadrian who was very interested in all things Greek. Also shows the Roman fascination with the Alexander the Great who was almost "ancient history" even to the Romans (Arrian writes 430 years after Alexander lived). However, even the author admits that the army he describes was no longer a viable organizational model. The book also includes a fragment of the description of Arrian's assault on the barbarian Alans in which he describes the contemporary composition of a Roman army. This would be of extreme importance if we had the entire text. Greek text show more with English translation. show less
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Historian, philosopher, and general, Arrian was born into a wealthy Greek family in Nicomedia, in Asia Minor. He was a pupil and friend of the philosopher Epictetus, whose lectures he published at Athens. For six years, from 131 to 137, he served as governor of Cappadocia under the emperor Hadrian. It was during this time that he successfully show more drove back invading Alans. Arrian wrote several geographical and historical works, including the Indica, an account of a voyage to India. He is best known, however, as author of the Anabasis. A much praised and valuable account of the life of Alexander the Great, it is based on the writings of Ptolemy I and Aristobulus, two of Alexander's generals. He modeled the work on Anabasis of Xenophon. Arrian died at an advanced age during the reign of Marcus Aurelius. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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