When's the last time you head of a scholar controlling the military?

PlayOnline.com has an article up which examines the lore behind the latest FFXI class, the Scholar.

There was once a group of academics that earned the respect of all ranks of the allied forces with their ability to lead troops to victory using a combination of shrewd planning and resourceful strategies in their positions as tacticians and military officers. These academics were known as military scholars.
Their characteristic gowns and hats became symbols of their brilliance as they drove the forces of Altana to victory with strategies evolved in the shade of field tents.
The mysteries of the grimoire--the source of a scholar's knowledge--will now be revealed.

Read it at PlayOnline.com.