I would agree with
the phantom in that it was much more then Aragorn's military skills. I think it's just the way he brought himself about and as already mentioned how he was endorsed by some pretty noble people (Imrahil, Rohan, and Faramir).
I think what really shines is how Aragorn deals with when is the time he should come fourth and take claim, he handles the political side well.
First, he's a servant under the current Steward Ecthelion, but he passes up on this oppurtunity, and Denethor takes command. 2nd oppurtunity is at Amon Hen, when he can choose to go to Minas Tirith with Boromir. Again, he passes up on this oppurtunity. Third chance, is when Imrahil offers it to him, but he declines.
I think the timing (which shows Aragorn's political knowledge) is what got him respected. I think his military record gets him the support, the final edge he needed, seeing that he was a victorious leader of men.
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Though I guess a King that stays back doesn't fill the part of a romantic hero- the way fantasy Kings are supposed to be.
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Very true. I don't know how other people feel, but I definately admire the leaders who fight on the front lines more so then the ones who sit back in the tents. Some modern heros that I admire were probably General Patton and Coronel Moore, both men were known for fighting with their men.
Here's Denethor's case. Him and Gandalf are total opposites, we can say they despise eachother, however, they are able to respect eachother. Without one of them who knows the outcome of the Siege of Gondor. Denethor brings the military planning/strategy to the table. He sets up the defenses, he has the lords bring in their men. He learned from the palantir, eventhough if it hurt him more then helped, he used the palantir to his advantage. But, he sits in his hall and wastes lives, we get a sense that the men's morale is low.
Gandalf comes in as that "spiritual leader" that "General Patton" people need to get them fired up. It was said the hearts of men rose when Gandalf was around but quickly sank when he left. I think eventhough unintentionally they are both important to the victory of Gondor.
In Aragorn's case he's both. He is a "Gandalf," he is a leader of men, and he is a Denethor, he plans, he's patient, and he knows when and when not to make a move. Aragorn wasn't like this through the whole story, he struggles with leadership in the beginning, but this is the new man, or "galvanized" Aragorn we see in the end.