Asclepiodotus Tacticus (Ἀσκληπιόδοτος ὁ Τακτικός) was a Greek author of the 1st century BCE. He is known only as the writer of a military treatise. The Suda identifies an Asclepiodotus as a student of the Stoic philosopher Posidonius, an identification generally accepted for the tactical writer, placing him within late Hellenistic intellectual circles, likely on Rhodes [1][2]. No further biographical details survive.

His sole extant work is the Tactica (Τακτικά), a systematic treatise on Hellenistic military theory. This concise manual methodically details the organization, formations, drills, and signals of a Macedonian-style army.

Asclepiodotus’s significance lies in his preservation and clear systematization of Hellenistic military science. His work provides a valuable snapshot of pre-Roman imperial military theory and was used by later Byzantine writers [2]. He is part of the tradition of Greek tactical writers between Aeneas Tacticus and Arrian.

Sources 1. Encyclopædia Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Asclepiodotus 2. Perseus Digital Library, entry for Asclepiodotus: http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0063:entry=asclepiodotus-harpers