Greek Mercenaries: From the Late Archaic Period to Alexander

by Matthew Trundle

Overview

This book provides a detailed picture of the life of these Greek mercenaries, analyzing who they were and from what section of society they came. It explores their motivations, their relationships and connections, both with each other and those with whom they served, and shows how mercenaries were recruited, paid and maintained.

Matthew Trundle reviews a variety of evidence, including Xenophon's detailed account of how over ten thousand Greeks tried and failed to establish the Persian prince Cyrus on his brother's Imperial throne, the fragments of a fourth century play about the first ever soldier of fortune, and inscriptions prohibiting Athenians from taking service with their neighbours.

The result is a fresh look at the significance of mercenaries in ancient Greek society, economy and politics, and their part in the process that shaped the great Empire of Alexander the Great and the Hellenistic world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781134304325
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	09/09/2004
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	224
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Trundle, Matthew

Table of Contents

List of Figures Timeline Maps Preface Acknowledgements Abbreviations Introduction 1. Images and Sources 2. What Motivated Mercenary Service 3. Paying Greek Mercenaries 4. Hiring Greek Mercenaries 5. Networks and Relationships

Editorial Reviews

'A mine of information on just about anything to do with mercenaries.'- BMCR

From the Publisher