Onasander
Encyclopedia
Onasander, Onisander or Onosander (1st century AD) was a Greek
philosopher. He was the author of a commentary on the Republic of Plato
, which is lost, but we still possess his Strategikos (Στρατηγικός), a short but comprehensive work on the duties of a general
. It is dedicated to Quintus Veranius Nepos
, consul in AD 49, and legate of Britain. It was the chief authority for the military writings of the emperors Maurice
and Leo VI
, and Maurice of Saxony, who consulted it in a French translation and expressed a high opinion of it.
Onasander's Strategikos consists one of the most important treatises on ancient military matters and provides information not commonly available in other ancient works on Greek military tactics, especially concerning the use of the light infantry in battle.
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
philosopher. He was the author of a commentary on the Republic of Plato
Plato
Plato , was a Classical Greek philosopher, mathematician, student of Socrates, writer of philosophical dialogues, and founder of the Academy in Athens, the first institution of higher learning in the Western world. Along with his mentor, Socrates, and his student, Aristotle, Plato helped to lay the...
, which is lost, but we still possess his Strategikos (Στρατηγικός), a short but comprehensive work on the duties of a general
General
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
. It is dedicated to Quintus Veranius Nepos
Quintus Veranius
Quintus Veranius was the name of two notable Roman politicians of the 1st century.-Quintus Veranius:The elder Quintus Veranius was governor of Cappadocia in 18. He was involved in the prosecution of Gnaeus Calpurnius Piso, who was accused of poisoning Germanicus, in 20...
, consul in AD 49, and legate of Britain. It was the chief authority for the military writings of the emperors Maurice
Maurice (emperor)
Maurice was Byzantine Emperor from 582 to 602.A prominent general in his youth, Maurice fought with success against the Sassanid Persians...
and Leo VI
Leo VI the Wise
Leo VI, surnamed the Wise or the Philosopher , was Byzantine emperor from 886 to 912. The second ruler of the Macedonian dynasty , he was very well-read, leading to his surname...
, and Maurice of Saxony, who consulted it in a French translation and expressed a high opinion of it.
Onasander's Strategikos consists one of the most important treatises on ancient military matters and provides information not commonly available in other ancient works on Greek military tactics, especially concerning the use of the light infantry in battle.
Further reading
- Aeneas Tacitus, Asclepiodotus, and Onasander. Translated by Illinois Greek Club. Loeb Classical Library. ISBN 0-674-99172-9