A strategos (pl: strategoi) was one of the highest military titles of ancient Greek armies. Its exact rank and function differed across the various poleis.
In Athens, strategos was an elected office for the state's ten commanders-in-chief. [citation needed] In the 5th century BCE, the strategos Perikles combined this political position with his charisma to establish himself as Athens' de facto ruler despite its democratic system of government. Later, Alkibiades also served as a strategos. [citation needed]
In contrast, strategoi in Sparta were not holders of political office but field commanders. They ranked below polemarchs and wielded heavy battleaxes and large shields into battle.[1]
Trivia[]
- In the Assassin's Creed Odyssey: Official Game Guide, the Athenian hoplite is incorrectly labelled as strategos in the "Reference" section. Concurrently, the images of the Spartan hoplite and Spartan strategos are erroneously switched.
Appearances[]
- Assassin's Creed: Origins (first appearance)
- Assassin's Creed: Odyssey