Dr. Kolkey,

On the Roman side Crassus’ invasion of Parthian territory in 54 and 53 is a pertinent example. Plutarch’s life of Crassus in a prime source as well as some of Cicero’s letters and speeches. In these two cases there will be no problem in identifying the elites involved. The majority of city-states were controlled by élites and I think this is also true for Renaissance Italy

                Thucydides is in some ways less helpful because of his concentration of Athens, but Polybius will provide plenty of examples.  On the Roman side I would also look at W. V. Harris, War and Imperialism in the Roman Republic (1985).  I hope this is of some help.

Michael Sage

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