New military history research: First Sicilian Slave War, Ancient Egyptian soldiers, Mytilene revolt and the Iliad

The Classical Quarterly presents four studies related to ancient military matters and history.

Peter Morton writes on the historic record of Eunus, leader of the first Sicilian Slave War of 135 B.C.  Morton states that the history of Eunus is fairly uncritical but that perhaps another look at the description of this leader is needed.

Christelle Fischer-Bovet addresses the status of Egyptian soldiers in the Hellenistic and Ptolemaic armies from about the fourth to first centuries B.C.  These soldiers were often described as second rate however, Fischer-Bovet argues that they were more important to Roman victories than previously thought.  

 Hellenistic soldiers circa 100 BCE, Ptolemaic Kingdom, Egypt

Edward M. Harris discusses the Mytilene revolt against Athens in 428 B.C.  The Mytilenians requested Spartan aid in this revolt but it did not arrive in time to counter the Athenians.  Harris discusses the resultant situation where the people turned against the government and made their own plans to plead with Athens for leniency.

 C.J, Mackie presents a study of how the Judgment of Paris is dealt with in the Iliad. Achilles’ mistreats Hector’s body and the gods are divided on how to deal with this grievous situation.  Mackie studies the story and presents his vies on the meaning on how the episode progresses and is resolved.