Greek Mercenaries is an analysis of the political, social and economic aspects of classical Greek mercenary service.

This book examines the role of the mercenaries and their influence on the wars of the Classical world down to the death of Alexander the Great. It also looks at the social and economic pressures that drove tens of thousands to make a living of fighting for the highest bidder, despite the intense dangers of the ancient battlefield.

Originally published in 1935, this book provides a detailed history of the employment of mercenaries in the Hellenistic period. Griffith discusses how and why mercenaries were used after the death of Alexander the Great by the Seleucids, Ptolemies, the Greek League and other powers active before the rise of Rome, and includes a section contrasting the pay and maintenance of mercenaries in the classical period with that of the Hellenistic period. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in ancient history and one of the ancient world's most important professions.

Rewrites the military and political history of Greek military service in ancient Persia and Egypt.

Xenophon's Anabasis, or The Expedition of Cyrus, is one of the most famous survival stories ever written and the most important autobiographical work to have survived from ancient Greece. This book places the Anabasis in its historical and literary context and opens up for the reader different ways of interpreting its major themes.

Mercenaries have been active in battle from the beginning of military history and, as private armies and military support firms, they are a major component of warfare today. Security, military advice, training, logistics support, policing, technological expertise, intelligence, transportation—all are outsourced to a greater or lesser degree in the U.S. military. However, privatization is not a uniquely American phenomenon. Countries as diverse as Saudi Arabia and Australia rely on privatization in one form or another. Historically, heads of state, politicians, and other administrators have justified use of mercenaries on the basis of their effectiveness, and cost-savings. These reasons and others continue to serve as rationales for use of private military companies in military strategy. Mercenaries: A Guide to Private Armies and Private Military Companies provides a comprehensive survey and guide to mercenary forces, entrepreneurs, and corporations active on the international military scene today, including a concise history of mercenaries and private armies on land, sea, and in the air. Narrative chapters are amply supplemented by sidebars including biographies of major figures, key statistics, historical and current documents, contracts, and legislation on private armies and outsourced military services. Each chapter includes a bibliography of books, journal articles, and web sites, and a general bibliography concludes the entire work.