The Greatest Military Leader
Alexander III of Macedonia, commonly known as Alexander the great, was a Macedonian warrior who invaded many lands and countries in the hopes of expanding his own reign. Although he was known as Alexander the great, he was a ruthless ruler who would kill anyone who student his way for power and control. Even though he was worthless, he is known to be one of the greatest military geniuses of all time. Alexander became legendary as a classical hero in the mold of Achilles, and he features prominently in the history and myth of Greek and non-Greek cultures. He became the measure against which military leaders compared themselves, and military academies throughout the world still teach his tactics. His legacy often ranks him among the world's top personalities of all time having the greatest influence, along with his teacher Aristotle.
Alexander was born in 356 BC in the capital of Marcedonia, Pella. He was the son of Philip II, king of Marcedonia, and Olympias, the princess of Epirus. Philip was a great military leader and Alexander spent his childhood watching his father on and off the battlefield. Alexander was just 16 years old when he was left in charge of Macedonia while his father took his armies and invaded other countries. While King Philip and his armies were battling other countries, a tribe bordering Macedonia began to rally their troops and start a rebellion. Alexander assembled his army and led it against the northern tribe. Not only did he fend off their advancements, but when he took over their land he renamed it after himself Alexanderopolis. He founded some twenty cities that bore his name, most notably Alexandria in Egypt. Two years later he led his father's forces into Greece and at the battle of Chaeronla he defeated the Greek forces because of his swift action and bravery.
In 336 BC King Phillip was assinated while attending a wedding. A young man who had no connections to the king killed him. It was never fully understood why he did it, however, Alexander was believed to be behind it because he wanted to he heir to the throne. Alexander began his reign by eliminating potential rivals to the throne. He had his cousin, the former
Amyntas IV, executed. He also had two Macedonian princes from the region of Lyncestis killed, but spared a third. After the death of the king, parts of the Greek territories began to rebel in order to gain their independence back. Alexander responded with speed and large armies which made the Greek forces retreat. He continued through Thrace and as far as the Danube River. Once these battles were done he returned to Macedonia. Rumors began to spread of his death through Greece, which lead to another revolt. Alexander wanted to safeguard his borders and, in 335 BC, he advanced into Thrace to deal with the revolt, which was led by the Illyrians and Triballi. He met reinforced along the way by the Agriani, a Thracian tribe under the command of Alexander's friend, Langarus. The Thracians had constructed a palisade of carts, which they intended to throw upon the Macedonians. Alexander told his infantry to march in loose formation and when carts were thrown to either open the ranks or lay flat on the ground with their shields over them. The Macedonians opened fire and when the Macedonian infantry reached the top of the mountain they over through the Thracians. Alexander and his army covered 240 miles in two weeks reaching the walls of Thebes with a large army. Alexander’s general broke down the wall to Thebes and his forces followed, killing everyone in sight. 6,000 people were killed and about another 30,000 were taken and sold as slaves or tortured. Other cities began to rethink their strategies for revolting. The battle in 334 BC took place when Alexander crossed Hellaspont with an army of 35,000 Macedonians. When they reached the Granicus River they ran into 40,000 Perians and Greek mercenaries. His army defeated 40,000 and according