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The Tactics of Aelian

Amazon.com Price:  $21.13 (as of 03/05/2019 06:58 PST- Details)

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Description

Aelian’s work on tactics is a hugely significant piece of ancient military literature, yet the last new edition in English used to be published in 1814. Even supposing writing (in his native Greek) in the second one century AD, Aelian drew heavily on earlier works, such as Asclepiodotus, to put together a comprehensive manual of warfare in the Hellenistic period (late 3rd to early 1st centuries BC). His Tactica thus examines all facets of warfare in the period of Alexander the Great’s successors, including the arms and armor of cavalry and infantry, formations, commands and signals. Aelian also provides a discussion of the Roman army of the period. In addition to being an invaluable source for brand new historians studying the Hellenistic period, the book used to be very influential on military theory long after Aelian’s death. Arrian’s work on tactics may merely be a revision of Aelian’s; the Byzantine Emperor Leo VI used excerpts in his own treatise and an Arabic translation made around 1350 used to be used to train Muslim armies. Most significantly it became one of the most primary training aids for the pike and musket armies of the 16 and 17th century Europe. A substantial edition published in London in 1616 contained a full direct translation In addition to comprehensive notes and a treatise on how to apply Aelian’s work to the training of English pike formations in the Macedonian manner. It used to be well used to train the foot regiments that fought the English Civil War. This unique longevity makes it of interest to any individual interested in warfare from the Hellenistic period right up to the English Civil War. Christopher Matthew’s new edition is based on the 1616 edition but written in brand new English with new renditions of all its accompanying figures. It has the original 1616 notes In addition to comprehensive new notes and cross references to the other ancient manuals (such as Arrian and Leo) that drew upon it. It is surely the hottest version to be had in any language of this significant work that used to be influenced tactical thought for 1,500 years.

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