Source edition
Cornelius Nepos. Cornelii Nepotis Vitae. Fleckeisen, Alfred; Halm, Karl, editors. Leipzig: Teubner, 1886.
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA (per Perseus's terms)
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This work is a biography depicting the life and military achievements of the Athenian general Iphicrates. The narrative begins by describing his outstanding character and his innovative military reforms, particularly his improvements to infantry armor and weaponry such as shields, spears, and swords. It then highlights his exceptional leadership through his brilliant military exploits in Thrace and Corinth, his training of mercenaries during the Egyptian expedition, and his relief of Sparta during the Theban threat. Finally, the text touches upon his remarkable physical appearance and personality, his relationship with the Macedonian royal family, his acquittal in a trial in his later years, and a witty dialogue involving his son Menestheus. Through these episodes, the work vividly portrays the multifaceted life of a military genius.