Leadership in the Ancient World

Concepts, Models, Theories

Tamiolaki, Melina (ed.)

Leaders abounded in the ancient world, from kings, pharaohs, emperors, tyrants, politicians, and orators to generals, minor officials and intellectuals. This book opens fresh perspectives on leadership by examining under-explored topics, posing new questions and revisiting old concepts. In particular, it seeks to shift attention from constitutional issues stricto sensu (such as kingship, monarchy, tyranny, etc.) or, more productively, to prompt a re-examination of these issues through the lens of leadership. The volume includes chapters on a range of cultures from across the ancient world in order to promote comparative reflection. Key questions include whether some models of good and bad leadership were universal among ancient cultures or exhibited differences? Why did a certain culture emphasise one leadership quality while another insisted on another? Why did only some cultures develop a theoretical discourse on leadership? How did each culture appropriate, define, redefine (or react) to existing concepts of leadership?
Analyses a variety of terms associated with ancient leadership to offer a deeper understanding of the complex and multifaceted concept of leadership.
Deals with several models of leader, i.e. not only military leaders, but also local leaders, not only good leaders, but also bad leaders, in order to reveal the complexity of the phenomeno of leadership.
Covers eight cultures spanning the huge period 3000 BC to AD 800.