STEPHEN OAKLEY -- Ph.D. – Professor at Cambridge University

Dear Dr. Kolkey,

For individuals/factions extending/terminating wars, see the 2nd Macedonian War, in which Polybius tells us that Flamininus allowed his personal ambition to govern state policy.

The two books that you should read are W. V. Harris, War and imperialism in the Roman Republic (Oxford, 1979) and E. Badian, Roman Imperialism, edn. 2, Oxford, Basil Blackwell, 1968). You should find scores of examples and lots of discussion that interests you.

This is a brief e-mail, I hope pointing you in the right direction....

Yours sincerely,

Stephen Oakley

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MICHAEL WHITBY -- Ph.D. – Professor at University of Warwick

Dear Jonathan,
 
Another are to look at would be the Roman Republic, for instance the course of the Second Macedonian War (especially the question of the extension of Flamininus' command) or comments in Cicero's letters about decisions on the allocation of provinces to governors.
 
Hope this gets you started.
 
Best wishes,
 
Michael Whitby

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ADRIAN GOLDSWORTHY --  Ph.D. Oxford University – Author of Books on Greco-Roman Warfare

Dear Jonathan Kolkey
 
Livy is also worth a look, as although he is patriotic to a degree far greater than Polybius, he is sometimes more detailed in the actual decision making - very useful for the Second and Third Macedonian Wars, and for Manlius Vulso's unprovoked attack on Galatia....

Yours,

Adrian Goldsworthy

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