A.3. Leosthenes and the transportation of Greek mercenaries from Asia Minor

Abstract

Leosthenes is remembered for his heroic death at Lamia, but an earlier part of his career also deserves closer scrutiny. This paper analyzes Leosthenes’ alleged role in transporting a number of mercenaries from Asia to Greece in the prelude to the Lamian war. A re‐assessment of Leosthenes’ actions suggests that his role in this event is grossly exaggerated and should be ascribed to the panegyrical elements that entered the historical tradition after his death. In addition, the thesis of O. Schmitt that Leosthenes transported the mercenaries from Asia on the orders of Alexander the Great has little to recommend it.