well-written as is Goldsworthy's forte, but his selection is 90% predictable who's who of Roman generals, with a heavy slice of the 2nd century BC-AD.

He makes his most interesting point in the intro. Despite the apparent amateurism of the Roman high command, with no academies & little formal on the job training except as a tribune, there was an unofficial streak of imparted wisdom through lost manuals, senior advisors with campaigns under their belt & let's not forget the senior centurions of a Legion with up to thirty years' experience in various theaters of war. Also, the education of Roman nobility, where politics & military glory were inseparately entwined, gave a decent foundation for a young general to command on horseback with sangfroid.

As in any profession since the damn of man, the most important quality was to listen, to learn from mistakes & to delegate. Even if Caesar knew how to time a personal encouragement by appearing at a threatened section of the frontline. The luxury of pre-gunpowder warfare.