This edited volume explores the presentation of leadership values in antiquity and the interaction between different literary genres, authors and texts. Covering the Greek and Roman literature from the fourth century BCE to the fourth century CE, the contributors examine how different ancient texts represent the characteristics of an ideal leader. For example, an historian such as Polybius was influenced by Platonic and Aristotelian political philosophy, while a poet like Lucan was influenced by the historical work of Caesar. The representation of leaders in these works offers a lens for understanding how different genres interact in shaping their values.

Alongside intertextual relationships, this fruitful dialogue also reveals aspects of the conceptualization of leadership and the ideals a leader needs to aspire to in different temporal and literary contexts, sometimes even contradicting each other. In this way, Literary Genre and Leadership Values in Antiquity offers a study of leadership values in the portrayals of individuals across a range of literary genres and periods. Each chapter of this book addresses the values that define good leadership in the ancient world and their relevance to the modern world, thus stressing the complexity of the characterisation of the perfect leader in antiquity.