Elliott, Simon Alexander the Great versus Julius Caesar

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 books 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?

He then presents both in brand new, up-to-date military biographies, starting with Alexander, who remained undefeated in battle and conquered the largest empire in the world at the age of 26. This is followed by Caesar, the man who played the decisive role in expanding Roman territory to the size from which the empire would later emerge under his great-nephew, adopted son and heir Augustus. In the book's detailed conclusion, the military careers of the two are compared on the basis of the criteria outlined above in order to finally answer the question: Who was the greatest military leader of the ancient world?