Chapter 2: Greek Wars-Epiminondas, Philip and Alexander Summary and Analysis

This chapter, like the previous one, is written in the third person in an educational tone, and is designed to instruct the reader in the growth and development of military strategy throughout history by reviewing specific battles and wars. The author points out that the first known account of military strategy being used, at least from the European standpoint, was in the fifth century cBC. However, it wasn't used by the Europeans at all, but rather the Persians.

The author introduces the reader to the first "Great General" from this period in history: Darius, the Persian. He introduced strategy to the Mediterranean by invading some of the Greek city-states and discouraging Greek colonies in Asia Minor from revolting against their Persian overlords.

The first prominent move on the part of the...