During history, Alexander the Great emerged as one of the most remarkable military leaders. From 338 to 323, he achieved conquests in Asia, Macedonia, and Greece. Despite his young age, he demonstrated his valor at the battles of Granicus River and Tyre. The early accomplishments of Alexander the Great were made possible by his troops’ and citizens’ support, strategic military prowess, and adherence to the Hellenist religion. By garnering the backing of his troops and citizens, Alexander aimed to earn their admiration. He accomplished this by successfully taming his father’s horse, Bucephalus, who was initially uncontrollable due to its fear of shadows. This act gained Alexander the respect of the Macedonians (Ranner, Oliver).
Another way Alexander earned the respect of his troops was by willingly leading them in battle. This demonstrated his dedication and willingness to do anything to secure victory (Ranner, Oliver). The respect of his citizens was crucial for maintaining order in his empire. Through his laws and army, Alexander gained the respect of his citizens. The depiction of Alexander on the currency of the lands he conquered is evidence of this respect. In Figure a, he is portrayed with a lion’s head atop his own head, connecting him to Heracles. This symbolism conveys Alexander as a demi-god, highlighting his immense strength. On the right side of the figure is a statue of Zeus, identifiable by the eagle resting on his arm. The Greek word AAEEANAPOY, which translates to Alexander, is inscribed as well.
This demonstrates Alexander the Great’s connection to Zeus. Both of these images are significant ideals for him to be associated with because they liken him to Heracles, the demigod known for his immense strength, and to Zeus, the king of all gods. Alexander believed that Zeus was his father (Illingsworth; Ranner, Lori). Moreover, Alexander’s triumphs were also a result of his prowess on the battlefield. The hoplites, who were citizen foot soldiers, played a crucial role in his victories. The Macedonians possessed the only gold in Greece, enabling them to enlist mercenaries and train them to be part of the phalanx (Ranner, Oliver). The phalanx was a formation of hoplites armed with enormous spears (Ranner, Oliver). These soldiers underwent rigorous training, with many of them having extensive experience in the army. Both their weaponry and training aided Alexander in conquering his adversaries. Furthermore, Alexander’s strategic thinking was instrumental in his battlefield accomplishments.
One of Alexander’s major battles occurred on the River Granicus, where he achieved a remarkable victory against a Persian army. This triumph was significant because Alexander’s forces successfully pushed the Persians all the way back to the river, preventing them from retreating and forcing them to advance. Another impressive display of strategic thinking took place during the Siege of Tyre. Alexander’s army faced formidable walls that they couldn’t breach, so Alexander ingeniously constructed a bridge over the city’s wall and ultimately conquered Tyre. This conquest was particularly noteworthy as Tyre was considered an invincible city, never having been conquered before. Alexander’s unwavering belief in the Hellenistic religion contributed to his remarkable accomplishments.
Alexander was convinced that he was the offspring of Zeus rather than Phillip II. This conviction motivated him to aspire to greatness. He was of the belief that in order to gain favor among the gods, particularly his father Zeus, he must accomplish remarkable feats. The Greeks, and subsequently the Romans, consistently feared the repercussions of upsetting the gods. Consequently, they consistently sought to appease the gods, which for Alexander entailed expanding his empire to encompass the entire known world. The soldiers, perceiving Alexander as a deity, endeavored to satisfy his every desire. They engaged in battles on his behalf and even procured his wine.
Despite his bad drinking problem and eventual death from an alcohol-induced coma, the troops continued to provide Alexander with an abundance of wine (Alexander). Nevertheless, they remained dedicated in their battles and achieved victory in almost every one, only ceasing their conquests upon Alexander’s demise (Ranner, Oliver). These factors collectively contributed to Alexander’s remarkable success at a young age. The unwavering support of his troops and citizens maintained order, while his strategic military thinking allowed him to triumph in challenging conflicts. Additionally, his belief in the Hellenistic religion bolstered his ability to secure victories. Thus, Alexander the Great accomplished extraordinary military feats during his youth.
