Brill's Companions to Classical Studies Companion Aineias Tacticus

Brill’s Companion to Aineias Tacticus combines studies of the fourth-century BC Greek military handbook. Thirteen scholars discuss Aineias’ historical and intellectual context, his literary contribution and unique insights into ancient warfare, as well as the reception of his work. Brill’s Companion to Aineias Tacticus is a collection of articles on the significance of the earliest Greek handbook on military tactics. Aineias’ (Aeneas) wrote his Poliorketika in the mid-fourth century BC, offering a unique perspective on contemporary Greek city-states, warfare and intellectual trends. We offer an introduction to Aineias and his work, and then discuss the work’s historical and intellectual context, his qualities as a writer, and aspects of his work as a historical source for the Greek polis of the fourth century BC. Several chapters discuss Aineias’ approach to warfare, specifically light infantry, mercenaries, naval operations, fortifications and technology. Finally, we include a lengthy study of the reception of ancient military treatises, specifically Aineias’ Poliorketika, in the Byzantine period.