In the annals of ancient history the lights of Alexander the Great and
Gaius Julius Caesar shine brighter than any other, inspiring generations
of dynasts and despots with their imperial exploits. Each has been
termed the greatest military leader of the ancient world, but who
actually was the best? In this new book Dr Simon Elliott first
establishes a set of criteria by which to judge the strategic and
tactical genius of both. He then considers both in turn in brand-new,
up-to-date military biographies, starting with Alexander, undefeated in
battle and conqueror of the largest empire the world had seen by the age
of 26. Next Caesar, the man who played the crucial role in expanding
Roman territory to the size which would later emerge as the Empire under
his great nephew, adopted son and heir Augustus. The book's detailed
conclusion sets each of their military careers against the criteria set
out earlier to finally answer the question: who was the greatest
military leader in the ancient world?