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This detailed new study explores the battle of Leuctra and the tactics that ultimately led to the complete defeat of Sparta, and freed Greece from domination by Sparta in a single afternoon.The battle of Leuctra, fought in early July in 371 BC was one of the most important battles ever to be fought in the ancient world. Not only did it see the destruction of the Spartan dominance of Greece, it also introduced several tactical innovations which are still studied and emulated to this day. Sparta's hegemony of Greece (which had been in effect since the Persian wars of 480/79 and especially since the Peloponnesian War in 431-404 BC) was wiped away in a single day of destruction. Sparta would never recover from the losses in manpower which were suffered at Leuctra.
The importance of the battle of Leuctra cannot be underestimated. This superbly illustrated title gives the reader a detailed understanding of this epic clash of forces, what led to it, its commanders, sources and the consequences it had for future civilizations.
List of contents
Origins of the Campaign
Chronology
The Battle of Tegyra 375 BC
The Battle of Leuctra 371 BC
Aftermath
The Battlefields Today
Bibliography
Index
About the author
Murray Dahm is a freelance historian and the author of several titles for Osprey, including Late Roman Infantryman vs Gothic Warrior. He has written more than 50 articles for magazines such as Ancient Warfare, Medieval Warfare and Ancient History. Murray lives in Australia.Seán Ó’Brógáin lives and works in Donegal, Ireland. He has a BA (Hons) in Scientific and Natural History illustration from Lancaster University, and has worked for a wide range of clients. In addition to his stunning work for Osprey Publishing, he has collaborated with the University of Manchester, An Post, the National Museum of Ireland, the Irish Office of Public Works and a variety of media companies, museums, councils and private individuals.
Summary
This detailed study explores the battle of Leuctra and the tactics that ultimately led to the complete defeat of Sparta, and freed Greece from domination by Sparta in a single afternoon.
Foreword
This detailed new study explores the battle of Leuctra and the tactics that ultimately led to the complete defeat of Sparta, and freed Greece from domination by Sparta in a single afternoon.
Additional text
Dahm's command of the source material is comprehensive and nuanced.
He performs that most critical function in both history and law-enforcement/
intelligence work - source analysis. He is skeptical and careful in his appre-
ciation of the sources, and reveals a deep understanding of the agendas and
personal stories of the writers in question, applying this to his narrative and
being sure to alert the reader to those inevitable points (most inevitable in
ancient history) where the only data we have must be taken with a rather large
grain of salt.
