After Philip of Macedonia
After Philip of Macedonia was killed and Alexander the Great ascended to power, he only had twelve years to become one of the most notable kings. He established control over the European Balkans, attacked and overthrew the powerful Persian kingdom, and subdued populations in India, Afghanistan, and central Asia. He had developed strategies to conquer and rule Spain, Carthage, Rome, and Arabia by the conclusion of his reign. Due to disagreements between rival generals, Alexander the Great's vast kingdom was divided when he passed away at the young age of 33. His biggest accomplishments include bringing Greek (or Hellenistic) culture to Egypt and many other Middle Eastern countries. Some scholars consider him as the oasis of civilization by spreading the Greek traditions to the east, while others analyze the massive losses of life he caused due to his battles thus likening him to the Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler1. One thing stands out about Alexader the great; he inspired some of the greatest people in the world especially, Hitler, Napoleon, Caeser, etc. and greatly spread the Hellenic ways of life to the significant parts of the world, plus emulation of his military power by many generals and conquerors all over history. This work captures some of Alexander the Great's conquests and wars1.
Alexander of Macedon's Youth
Alexander of Macedon, who later became Alexander the Great was only 19 years old when Pausanias of Orestis killed his father, Phillip II, the great king of the Greek-speaking Kingdom of Macedon1. Phillip II had assembled a strong military and had taken control of Greece and the neighboring Balkans. The success of Alexander the Great is attributed to his father’s development of the army, then called, the Macedonian, Phalanx-the simplest unit of the earliest Greek Warfare1. Besides, the phalanx, comprised of heavy infantry which took the enemy on a one-on-one war encounter. The application of the phalanx was deadly in particular through the use of a huge spear- about 20 feet long called the sarissa which had to be held with both hands, unlike the Spartan spear propelled with only one hand. This heavy weapon enabled the Macedonian army to defeat their enemies from the south who used lighter weapons. By the time of Philip’s death in October 336 BC at the age of 46, he had conquered Thrace and many parts of Greece under Macedonian control. It was this army, both technologically superior and experienced army that Alexander inherited.
Alexander's Conquests Begin
Alexander’s first task was to combat several rebellions which arose after Philip’s death before going forth to invade Persia which his father had planned to attack2. The rebelling cities included Thracian tribes, Thesally, Athens, and Thebes. He quickly defeated the Greek cities which declared him the Hegemon of the Greek army, the title adopted by Philip II in preparation for the new Persian wars. Alexander then moved northwards to smash the revolt in Thrace2.
Alexander's Victories in the North
In Macedon’s Northern territory, Alexander’s army encountered the forces of the Triballi and Illyrians. He won against them and proceeded to River Danube where he was victorious against the Gitae tribe. His pursuit was victory after victory2. After a siege of the Illyrian city of Pelium, he once again emerged triumphantly. After securing his rear, Alexander turned his attention to the South combating the once-again revolting cities of Athens and Thebes2.
The Capture of Thebes
When Alexander crossed the territory of Athens and Thebes, it was only the Thebans who voted to approve waging Alexander the Great in a war to regain their freedom. Alexander’s army struck the city and entered the town through unguarded gateways2. Thebes surrendered to the Macedonians after a fierce fight along the streets. Thebes city was demolished, and the Thebans lost 6,000 soldiers in the encounter and 30,000 women, children and men were captured and sold into slavery. The Thebans fighters in December 335 BC scared other cities under Greece, and none was ready to wage war against Alexander the Great.
Alexander's Strategies of Conquest
Alexander's strategies were of those of a great conqueror through evaluation of how he defeated rebellious people and cities. He neglected the counsel of advisors and generals many of whom wanted a cautious approach3. In contrast, Alexander launched massive and fast attacks on his enemies most of which caught them unprepared and won through the trauma of shock and heavy combat philosophies. Cities which resisted like Thebes were burnt down, their people killed or taken to slavery3. Contrary to early wars of Greek which neither killed civilians nor took them as slaves, Alexander’s was different as he witnessed massive killings and enslaving in Asia and Greece. Any tribe, city or nation which opposed Alexander faced deadly consequences of destruction3.
Alexander's Rule and Legacy
The rule of Alexander the great between 336 and 323 B.C., changed the face of Asia and Europe forever3. As a prince, Alexander received the best education in Macedonian court under the tutorage of Aristotle and grew to a charismatic leader at just 20 years. He took advantage of the veteran army his father left behind. In 334 B.C., he spearheaded a grand army which crossed Hellespont in Asia. With over 5,500 mounted troops and more than 43,000 infantry, Alexander went into books of history to have ever led the greatest military ever to leave the Greek borders3. Besides, his military was the first to set foot on Asian soil, fought great battles there and recorded the great victories. In an outstanding campaign which took eleven years, he went forth to take control of Egypt and the Persian Empire and other parts of Asian and the Indus valley. Ironically, he lost to his army which stressed on returning to Greece. On the journey back, he succumbed to fever in Babylon at 33 years old3.
The Legacy of Alexander the Great
The murder of Palmeiro, then man second to him in command and Cleitus, a close friend who had saved his life in Granicus battle was a revelation of the fatigue his army was struggling with and how paranoid the king was growing. This level of suspicion is also evident when allegation rose that Philotas son failed to report a conspiracy against Alexander’s life; in reaction, the king killed Philotas, allied conspirators, and Parmerio who seemingly had nothing to do with the plot. Though Alexander was determined to continue the pursuit, all his men mutinied hence led them back. Alexander the Great is remembered through the construction of vast cities and advancement of the culture of the Greeks4. One of these towns is Alexandria, in Egypt with a population of more than 4.5 million people4. Arian postulates that Alexander’s campaigns were purely for personal growth and meant to quench his great desire to rule. His role as a commander in the army equipped him with the knowledge of a real conqueror. He was thirsty for power and wanted people to perceive him as a god.
Bibliography
Bosworth, A. B. A Historical Commentary on Arrian’s History of Alexander. Vol. II: Books IV– V. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1995.
Gossage, A. J. "Plutarch's Life of Alexander", 1971: 37-39.
Lualdi, Katharine J. "Sources of the Making of the West: Peoples and Cultures Volume II: Since 1560", 2001.
