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The Greeks

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Submitted By suasavaiki
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But before Alexander achieved his title of being “Alexander the Great”, the genius and brilliancy of his father Phillip was where it all started. Before Phillip ascended to the throne, he was one of the hostages delivered to the Thebans as security for the peace affected by Pelopidas. Here is where Phillip learned the most important lesson, the art of warfare. With his own innovation of the Greek phalanx, it was also the first time cavalry was intertwined with the combination of light infantry, slingers, archers, and javelin men. Phillip also built an admirable corps of engineers, which conducted research alongside sieges—produced weapons such as catapults and “ram tortoises,” battery rams mounted on protected carriers. The diversity of all these forces especially the coordination between infantry and horsemen was far beyond tactical capacity during their time. According to Parker, for more than twenty years (359-338) Phillip crafted a grand new army, supply, led, and organized quite differently from anything in past Greek practice. This was a unique military force that will eventually dominate the Greek city-states and later confronted the current superpower, the Persians.
While the new face of the military is being forged, it is now being sustained and improved by logistical planning. According to Parker, soldiers during one summer campaign were ordered to carry thirty days’ provisions on his back. Well supplied soldiers with food, equipment, etc., is the only way to advance such a speedy conquest throughout the world. These bolster the long range of road marches that soldiers had to endure while fighting in multiple battles.
The prolong Peloponnesian War severely weakened the Greek city-states. The vulnerability of the Greek city-states was the perfect timing for King Phillip to invade and conquer all of the Greek city-states. The Battle at Chaeroneia (338 BC) was the main victory that declared Phillip to be the sole ruler of the Greek city-states. His dictatorial rule was also the end of the Greek democracy. After multiple victories during the course of all these military modernizations by King Phillip, he set the future basis for the success of his son Alexander at a very young age. After the assassination of King Phillip, Alexander ascended to the throne at age 20 and was very radiant and capable of being the next great King. King Phillip’s vision to conquer the Persians was now in the hands of Alexander.
Before Alexander’s legacy, he was brought up very well by his father. He was well-educated and was placed under the charge of one of the most influential thinkers at the time, Aristotle. The secret of his success was his character. He possessed a certain combination of mental and personal attractions that enabled him to attain the favor of his troops and the people that he conquered. Arrian’s account best describes it on the Legend of the Helmet:
“The army was crossing a desert of sand; the sun was already blazing down upon them, but they were struggling on under the necessity of reaching water, which was still far away. Alexander, like everyone else, was tormented by thirst, but he was nonetheless marching on foot at the head of his men. It was all he could do to keep going, but he did so, and the result (as always) was that the men were the better able to endure their misery when they saw that it was equally shared. As they toiled on, a party of light infantry which had gone off looking for water found some-just a wretched little trickle collected in a shallow gully. They scooped up with difficulty what they could and hurried back ... to Alexander; then, just before they reached him, they tipped the water into a helmet and gave it to him. Alexander, with a word of thanks for the gift, took the helmet and, in full view of his troops, poured the water on the ground. So extraordinary was the effect of this action that the water wasted by Alexander was as good as a drink for every man in the army.”
This was the quality of character that soldiers needed for encouragement especially when it comes from the King himself. Alexander was greatly delighted with Homer’s tales. According to Abbot, Alexander carried a copy of Homer’s tales in all his campaigns. This is where he developed the character of the fearless Achilles
Another great attribute that Alexander possesses is leadership. He always leads from the front of the battle. This not only enticed the eyes of his soldiers on him but also gained there trust. The soldiers are more willingly and passionate to fight for Alexander and never hesitated to doubt his leadership. The only people who contended his decisions were his generals. One of these generals was Parmenio, a former general during the reign of King Phillip. However, Parmenio was fascinated by Alexander’s decision in the battle at Gaugamela (331 BC)—a final battle that declared Alexander Lord over Asia. Alexander’s army was outnumbered by Darius forces 5 to 1. This motivation factor contributes to the hunger of his military and their will and passion to pursue beyond its limits. According to Parker, “The personal courage of Alexander, including his magnificent – nearly suicidal – dives into the enemy line are rather deceptive: far from being a hothead...”

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