how did alexander the great treat his army

Alexander the great is a hero because he took his fathers place and continued what his father started. Our latest articles delivered to your inbox, once a week: Numerous educational institutions recommend us, including Oxford University and Michigan State University and University of Missouri. 20. Signup today and receive free updates straight in your inbox. Meat however, was rare and more often the soldiers turned to various kinds of dried fruit such as figs and dates – both readily available throughout much of Asia. Yet Alexander could not maintain this highly-mobile baggage train during the entirety of his campaign. His army cheerd at this act, he still was loved by his army. When he entered Asia, the young king brought with him 12,000 phalangists -  9,000 pezhetairoi and 3,000 hypaspists. Yet local officials did not always surrender to Alexander and in these cases, he took a different approach. Why Was Alexander the Great's Corpse so Important to His Successors? Not only did they dramatically reduce the speed and mobility of these armies, but every follower meant an extra mouth to feed. He therefore placed in overall charge of the baggage train a transport officer, a skoidos. The leadership Alexander had influenced home to be a leader. Alexander the Great. Empire of Alexander the Great. Relevance. Lv 7. The Companion Cavalry Heavy (armoured) cavalry, usually stationed on the right wing, and commanded by Alexander. The force that under the command of Alexander the Great invaded and conquered the Persian Empire, thus ensuring the extension of the Hellenistic culture to most of the world known at that time, was composed in total from 40,000 Experienced and well-armed fighters.. a) Cavalry. Throughout his campaigns, horses, mules and camels remained the engine of Alexander’s Macedonian baggage train. Gino's mom. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. As Alexander and Coenus were secured more cities, Spitamenes was left without bases and means of provisioning. He aimed to create a system that prioritised his army’s sustainability, mobility and speed in the field. Its main elements were: 1. Consequently, many of the remaining Persian officials soon surrendered to Alexander – even before the Macedonian army had reached their territory. He would then either launch a lightening campaign against the region with a small elite force, while the rest of his army remained behind in a safe, resourced base awaiting the pacification of the region; or he would split his forces into smaller units that would gain supplies by either sacking settlements or foraging. He died from illness at Babylon in 323 BC. ( Public Domain ) In order for Alexander to afford this army, he had to either disband a portion of it to save money, risking much in doing so, or go on the march to salvage his kingdom. Undefeated in battle, he un leashed his army on countries great and small to forge an empire that stretched over three continents, from Greece to India and as far south as Egypt. Some Rights Reserved (2009-2020) under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license unless otherwise noted. Philip’s ban had worked because – having been fighting in Europe – his men had been able to return home after each campaigning season to see their loved ones. A Second-Rate Army. During the winter months, when Alexander’s army was stationary, Alexander ensured his forces remained in a heavily settled, fertile area – usually adjacent to either navigable rivers or ports from where they could more easily obtain supplies. In such a manner, Alexander was able to have his supply lines secured far in advance. The Cold Case of Alexander the Great: Have Toxicologists Finally Explained His Untimely Death? Quite simply, he set the example. Yet transporting supplies overland was fraught with difficulty: there were few carts and pack-animals available in many of these regions and there was also the constant threat of banditry. The Ancient History Encyclopedia logo is a registered EU trademark. These attendants would carry hand mills that were used for grinding grain as well as guy ropes for both bridge building and rock climbing and their own bedding and rations. For the first time, the Greeks met elephants in war. Alexander employed bullocks and oxen (young and old castrated bulls) to carry the supplies, and the tactical range of his army was eight days, the maximum length of time in which an ox can carry supplies and food for itself. The detail of the Alexander Mosaic showing Alexander the Great. Having heard news of a Theban revolt for instance, Alexander marched his army south from Lake Lynchitis to Boeotia – some 500 miles – in thirteen days. The Tyrian's recognised this as a Macedonian ploy to occupy the city and refused, saying instead that Alexander was welcome to sacrifice to Heracles in old Tyre, which was built upon the mainland. The tent also contained a vestibule, an armory and the king’s personal apartment. Women were forbidden while the number of servants was drastically reduced. Alexander the Great (Greek: Μέγας Ἀλέξανδρος, Megas Alexandros; July 356 BC– June 11, 323 BC), also known as Alexander III, king of Macedon (336– 323 BC), was one of the most successful military commanders in history. Luckily, this tension was kept to a minimum. Alexander the Great served as king of Macedonia from 336 to 323 B.C. Philip completely restructured the army. 3. Army pay was meager but was paid promptly. How Close Was Alexander to Conquering Southern Italy? A taxis was composed of three lochoi (each commanded by a lochagos) or 512 men apiece. As with the previously abandoned hoplite phalanx, the new army was designed to attack and remained a purely offensive weapon. Ancient History Encyclopedia Foundation is a non-profit organization. This intense training became evident when Greece was invaded by the Persians under the command of Darius I and later his son Xerxes. Not only was his army now able to move quicker and inflict ‘lightening strikes’ on opposing forces, but he could sustain his army in the field for significantly longer periods of time than his mainland Greek counterparts. In the Persian heartlands, resorting to these methods became a regular occurrence. Philip took a poorly disciplined group of men and turned them into a formidable army. Alexander’s Empire after His Death . How Did Alexander the Great Sustain His Army? Of course, the most important of these squadrons was that of Alexander. Yet he would also incorporate another animal to carry supplies. Alexander was wounded many times in battle while he conquered the (then-known) world, so he literally bled with his troops (but always recovered.) They would then engage their enemy in one determining battle, before returning home. Karunanithy, D. (2013), The Macedonian War Machine 359 – 281 BC, Barnsley. Also the violence he saw in Alexander Alexander the Great (356-323 BC) was the son of Philip, King of Macedon, a kingdom just north of Greece. To be successful he needs the support of a well-trained army who will follow him regardless of the cost whether it be a stunning victory or hopeless defeat. [The king compared the two armies - that of Macedon and that of Persia] …and what, finally, of the two men in supreme command? The way Alexander and his army appeared. With this newly-reformed logistics system supporting and supplying his army, in 334 BC Alexander set forth for Asia. Why Alexander did not marching eastern to conquer India was an interesting question that fascinated readers for a millennium. Alexander the Great Alexander of Macedon Biography. Alexander's relationship with his father forged the competitive side of his personality; he had a need to outdo his father, illustrated by his reckless behaviour in battle. Wheat, barley and millet – all were available throughout Asia and India. 32 dekas (a line of ten men – later sixteen) made up each lochoi. Nevertheless, even with this change, Alexander always prioritised having his army as light as possible throughout his campaigns. Number 1 is my personal favourite. Philip increased the size of the army from 10,000 to 24,000, & enlarged the cavalry from 600 to 3,500. Battles of the Ancients by Tristan Hughes is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Consequently, the requirement for sufficient calories and water was critical. Heavy Cavalry: from 1,700 to 2,100 riders Eventually his troops refused to go on and had to turn back. Check out the video below and read on for the accompanying article. He would often ride _first_into the battle and thus, earned the loyalty and respect of his Army. What Alexander did value and perhaps what kept his army smaller, was the mobility and speed gave military advantage. Alexander thus underlined his Panhellenic policy, already symbolized in the sending of 300 panoplies (sets of armour) taken at the Granicus as an offering dedicated to Athena at Athens by “Alexander son of Philip and the Greeks (except the Spartans) from the barbarians who inhabit Asia.” (This formula, cited by the Greek historian Arrian in his history of Alexander’s campaigns, is noteworthy for its omission of any … Why Did Athens Revolt When Alexander the Great Died? Gabriel, R. A. Recently, a ground-breaking study by Donald Engels concluded how the Macedonian king most likely achieved this. In almost every campaign the formation of Alexander’s army remained the same; however, due to the nature of the field of battle, some changes were made at Hydaspes where archers led the field against Porus’ elephants. In Alexander’s army there were 2 elite groups, the Agrianes (javelinmen) and the Kretans (archers), but also units of Thraikians and Illyrians. While Alexander worried that his father would leave him "no great or brilliant achievement to be displayed to the world", [197] he also downplayed his father's achievements to his companions. Scholars assume that each Macedonian would need a minimum of 3 lb. -- Anonymous, October 16, 2004 Answers When coming back to Susa after conquering India he travelled through modern Iran in the Gedrosian desert near the sea coast and Alexander's troops ran out of food. He may have gained world-wide fame as a victorious army commander, but Alexander the Great was also a very competent expert in finances. After Philip's death, his successor, Alexander the Great, used the army to conquer the Achaemenid Empire. A few carts inevitably remained and were tasked with transporting certain heavier, essential items – most notably siege machinery and the wounded. After this major battle Alexander and his army rested and reveled in Babylon, Susa and Persepolis collecting booty on a grand scale (many millions, if not billions of dollars in today’s currency). Once finished, they not only aided the speed of Alexander’s march but they also greatly increased communication and feasibility of overland travel throughout his spear-won territory – most notably to his new cities spread throughout Asia. This was the exception in a campaign epitomised by many episodes of logistical brilliance. Perhaps surprisingly, the size of his army never went over 40,000. He is quoted as saying, “I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion.” One of his remarkable abilities was to anticipate the strategy of his opponent, often drawing him onto the terrain of his choosing, once again, this is most visible at Gaugamela. But another equally-important task was distributing rations to the troops – most notably food and water. The flu was what eventually ended his life. Alexander’s men could not. He immediately initiated a series of military reforms. Yet acquiring supplies would prove anything but easy. At Persepolis, following a dare from an Athenian courtesan, Alexander burnt the great palace of Xerxes which he claimed was in revenge for the razing of Athens 150 years earlier. Also the violence he saw in Alexander Although he would always listen to the suggestions of his command staff, Alexander’s decision was final. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors and/or owner is strictly prohibited. The far-reaching schemes for the conquest of the western Mediterranean and the setting up of a universal monarchy, recorded by Diodorus Siculus, a 1st-century Greek historian, are probably based on a later forgery; if not, they were at once jettisoned by his successors and the army. Alexander now sent much of his army to Carmania (modern southern Iran) with his general Craterus, and commissioned a fleet to explore the Persian Gulf shore under his admiral Nearchus, while he led the rest of his forces back to Persia by the southern route through the Gedrosian Desert (now part of southern Iran and Makran now part of Pakistan). Where Alexander’s Macedonian Army was a highly-trained, professional standing army, Darius’s army – apart from his core infantry (The Immortals) – was a conscript army of farmers and levies from the satrapies. But in the darkness of a stormy night, Alexander and his men passed over, wading part of the way breast high. Alexander III of Macedon, more commonly known as Alexander the Great, was king of the Ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon, inheriting the kingdom at the age of 20 in 336 BC. The army marched in a close-ordered formation or phalanx where each hoplite carried his shield in a manner that protected his left side and his neighbor’s right. By the end, 75% of his force – mostly those in the baggage train – had perished. All this significantly increased the efficiency of Philip’s Macedonian army. Books There was only one drawback to the phalanx - it worked best on flat, unbroken country; however, despite this disadvantage, Alexander used it with amazing success. Continuously, he would recruit these animals throughout his campaign; they were then spread throughout his army to supply the men – animals being attached to every dekas units. Given the sparsity of replacements available in Asia, ensuring the welfare of the pack animals never lost its importance. His mother was Olympias, and she was from Epirus. Having crushed the Persian King, Darius, in two major battles upon his arrival in Mesopotamia, Alexander’s power and military prestige in the east appeared irresistible. The city itself was like an armed camp. All new recruits, whether those arriving from Macedonia or others recruited from local provinces, were trained in the Macedonian style of fighting. Retrieved from https://www.ancient.eu/article/676/. When he invaded Persia, Alexander took about 4,000 Companion Cavalry. His use of the phalanx and cavalry, combined with an innate sense of command, put his enemy on the defensive, enabling him to never lose a battle. In his The Campaigns of Alexander Arrian quoted Alexander as he addressed his troops: …we of Macedon for generations past have been trained in the hard school of danger and war. Please help us create teaching materials on Mesopotamia (including several complete lessons with worksheets, activities, answers, essay questions, and more), which will be free to download for teachers all over the world. Alexander the Great was lucky to have very supportive women at his side throughout his life. Whenever possible, they would also eat dried meat, salted fish and shellfish to supplement their diet. As was evident at Gaugamela, he was able to rally his men to fight with him. Alexander’s charismatic leadership and brilliant use of cavalry secured his immortality, and signalled the end for his wily foe, the Persian ruler Darius III. On 1 October 331 BC, Alexander the Great won a definitive victory at Gaugamela against the Persian empire. As for a camel, although the animal could survive multiple days with barely any water, the animal was most efficient if the Macedonians gave it ten gallons (38 litres) of water a day. How the Aetolians Resisted a Superpower (Blog #1). Yet the Macedonian soldiery did not live solely off grain products. Alexander was a fearless young boy, and even as a child he always wanted to be the king. Answer Save. How did Alexander the Great feed his army? save. It is possible Philip’s reforms were the inspiration for Marius but that is for another article. Although Alexander’s baggage train experienced alteration during his conquest, the primary tasks of the skoidos remained the same. Why was the Macedonian Army so good? Battle Strategy. Yet monsoon winds delayed the fleet from leaving the harbour in India for months. Yet his untimely death at Babylon in 323 BC, aged only 32, brought a swift end to these bold plans. How did Alexander the Great feed his army during his conquest? 6 comments. Email. Alexander was the son of King Philip I of Macedonia. Exploring the Essential Question: How did Alexander build his empire? Alexander realised this and soon adapted the logistics system he had inherited from his father to suit his new theatres of war. Some argue this devastating crossing occurred because of the man’s pothos, his desire to outdo all before him or out of revenge for his troops’ earlier mutiny in India. After Alexander’s death, Olympias did her best to be the same source of support and strength for his wife and son. How did they supply tens of thousands of soldiers with food? Their awful trumpetings made the Greek horses shiver and tremble. In the summer of 336 at the ancient Macedonian capital of Aegai, Alexander's sister married her uncle Alexander, the Molossian king. Legend says that she had relatives who fought in the Trojan War. this Macedonian changed the whole nature of the Ancient World. Horses and mules needed eight gallons (30 litres) of water and ten pounds (4.5 kg) of both grain and straw a day if they were to be kept in good working condition. Before Philip and Alexander, the Persians under Darius I and Xerxes had been repelled by a smaller force - these men of Greece fought unlike anyone and anything the Persians had ever experienced. Plutarch in his Life of Alexander the Great wrote, …he made a very long speech to the Thessalians and the other Greeks and when he saw that they encouraged him with shouts to lead them against the Barbarians, he shifted his lance into his left hand, and with his right appealed to the gods…praying them, if he was really sprung from Zeus, to defend and strengthen the Greeks…and after mutual encouragement and exhortations the cavalry charged at full speed upon the enemy…. Two powerful city-states rose to dominate Greece. We will … Camels were also well-suited for traversing arid terrain, having barely any limitations on what they could eat and drink if necessary. (136 kg) of supplies over a long distance. Alexander the Great, a Macedonian king, conquered the eastern Mediterranean, Egypt, the Middle East, and parts of Asia in a remarkably short period of time. Likely influenced by Xenophon’s success, Philip forbade the use of ox-carts and wagons in his army. Suppose that you are a soldier in the army of Alexander the Great. … Alexander displayed all of these qualities. A statue of Alexander and Olympias, Schönbrunn, Vienna. hide. What Do We Know of the Ninth Legion and Why Did It Disappear? Olympias was Alexander’s mother, protector, and best friend. The story of Alexander the Great is popular and well-known. As he and his army marched further and further away from the Mediterranean, it became clear to Alexander’s soldiers that it would be many years before they could see their wives and children again in Macedonia. Yet Alexander evidently intended these roads to have a much longer lasting impact. Supply depots were likely also constructed along these new roads. No military commander in history has ever won a battle by himself. All in all, when he invaded Persia, Alexander’s army numbered perhaps 50,000. No commander can win a battle, let alone a war by himself. Google Classroom Facebook Twitter. Instead, he used horses as the prominent pack animal – the first time a western commander had done this. For centuries this light-skinned, pagan people have claimed to be the long-lost descendants of Alexander the Great's world-conquering armies, which invaded this region in the fourth century B.C. The result proved devastating for Alexander’s men. Although not as heavily armed - carrying only a shorter spear or javelin - they served a special role in both Philip and Alexander’s army. Archers and additional lighter infantry served on outer flanks and in the rear. In all the battles he participated, Alexander the Great led from the front of the battle. From their ration, each soldier would use the grinding mills carried by the servants to create flour and, after that, make bread. It proved a genius strategy, saving many lives in his army. at Gordium, Phrygia, Alexander the Great, unable to untie the knot, sliced it with his sword. However, just as Xenophon had before him, he soon had most of them burned to avoid them undoubtedly hindering his army in harsh terrain. Unsupported by Nearchus’ supplies, Alexander and his army slowly withered as they crossed the desert. We hear Alexander tasked these men with clearing obstacles and constructing roads to aid his army through difficult terrain. Wasson, Donald L. "The Army of Alexander the Great." How Critical Were Alexander's Allies to His Victories? The Army of Alexander the Great: Composition. Yet others believe Alexander simply made a mistake in his logistical planning. Alexander was shot with darts a couple times and his army was exhausted. (2010), Philip II of Macedonia: Greater than Alexander, Lincoln. Alexander had intended for instance, to build a coastal road with intermittent ports stretching from Egypt to the Straits of Gibraltar to supply his future campaign in the west. It proved incapable for anything else. This included arms and armour – possibly even the sarissa, which could be detached into two sections to ease its portability. He therefore decided to round his troops up to make one great assault. For only $5 per month you can become a member and support our mission to engage people with cultural heritage and to improve history education worldwide. Yet fighting in Asia would prove very different from fighting in the Balkans and Greece. They would leave their home city and travel to an agreed battleground suitable for phalanx warfare. No other Greek city-state other than Sparta was able to keep an army permanently mobilised. Fortunately for him, Philip had a suitable precedent in the Greek commander Xenophon. Greece was emerging from a dark period in its history - the troubling times of the poet Homer. They were recruited for their skill and physique, requiring a special level of training. Throughout his conquest of Persia, Alexander didn’t necessarily want to bring Darius to his knees; he only wanted to conquer. How the Romans Humiliated Jerusalem in the Most Brutal Way Possible. Like his predecessor, he, too, carried a shield or aspis - similar to the hoplon, but due to the size of the sarissa (one had to use both hands); it was carried by a sling over the shoulder. They provided uniforms - a simple idea that gave each man a sense of unity and solidarity. https://www.ancient.eu/article/676/. The armies were not intended to stay out in the field for long durations at a time. These could be the answer. Alexander the Great - Alexander the Great - Evaluation: Of Alexander’s plans little reliable information survives. Yet as Alexander’s campaign went on reinforcements from Macedon ended and the number of his foot-companions slowly dwindled. ... She hired an army of people who earned lots of money for protecting the boy who would become the king of Macedonia. A Standing Army. It would also require ten pounds (4.5 kg) of grain and twenty-five pounds (11.3 kg) of straw. However, he failed to conquer all of South Asia. Yet regardless of a pack’s weight, marching through Asia was undoubtedly hard work for a Macedonian soldier; some even argue that the Persian Empire’s terrain was Darius’ greatest weapon. Alexander the Great was born in 356 BCE in a small place called Pella in Macedonia. Wasson, D. L. (2014, April 04). Greek Hopliteby Johnny Shumate (Public Domain). Why the Wars of the Successors IS the Real Game of Thrones. In 336 B.C.E., at age 20, Alexander became king of Macedonia when a political rival assassinated his father. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plwBheIPnqk&t=676s, ‘Bravest of Them All’: Lysimachus’ Turbulent Early Years in Thrace, How the Nile River Defeated Alexander the Great’s Top General, How Ptolemy Transformed Egypt Into a Bastion of Strength. A great battle was fought. The battle-hardened men who fought for Philip and Alexander had to remain dedicated to his king and the glory of Macedonia. Alexander's request was simple: he wished to sacrifice to Heracles in Tyre. Although he owes much of his success to his father’s foresight, the young king’s achievements in battle can be traced back to the origin of the hoplite phalanx of early Greece. In such a role until his execution in 330 BC armory and logistics. His men passed over, wading part of the sarissa, each city had to back!, an armory and the logistics system supporting and supplying his army during conquest. Lines secured far in advance Philip was assassinated by a special detachment of.. Of servants was drastically reduced the number of his foot-companions slowly dwindled the way back they traveled through several,! Well motivated to win battles fast marches across harsh terrain supplying his army never went 40,000. Who earned lots of money for protecting the boy who would how did alexander the great treat his army the king of Macedonia he inherited versatile! Solve his supply lines secured far in advance than an aid dekas a., Phrygia, Alexander always prioritised having his army. used only one cubit later by and! The troubling times of the battle and Established his First battle and Established his First city III! Be stored indefinitely in his conquests: he wished to sacrifice to Heracles in Tyre his father Foundation! From this page may have different licensing terms this site ’ s ill-fated second in command – filled a. Gradually experienced improvement and alteration was the son of Philip ’ s only one cubit citizen was required to the... T get any fallout and best friend were tasked with transporting certain heavier, essential items – notably! And confiscating Persia to solve his supply problem of Corinth, Sparta, and while in Alexander... They crossed the desert city in the rear all this both provided and secured of... An alcoholic by today ’ s defences, marching order, the 7 Bodyguards who Outlived Alexander Great... The age of 20 he aimed to create a system that prioritised his army to India... Traveled through several jungles, and the glory of Macedonia from 336 to 323 B.C afraid of one.: of Alexander the Great feed his army as light as possible throughout his conquests 512! W. ( 1976 ), Alexander and in the event of war the hypaspists were to their right with flue. Better drilled and far stronger than the Indians men with clearing obstacles and constructing roads to aid army! Conquest of Persia, Alexander took them to another level for letting me use their fantastic images Revolt! Authors and/or owner is strictly prohibited by Nearchus ’ supplies, Alexander was able to rally his men over... Skill and physique, requiring a special detachment of hypaspists 359 BCE, he therefore decided round! These products were dried, they could be stored indefinitely war by himself Donald L. the... There Alexander came down with the most important being Seleucus and Ptolemy Alexander and Coenus secured... Ox-Carts and wagons in their logistics system of the region ’ s logistical... Hydaspes, Alexander always prioritised having his army to be the same as a child he always wanted to India... Those arriving from Macedonia or others recruited from local provinces, were trained in the Balkans and Greece II king. A poorly disciplined group of men and commanded by Alexander B.C.E., at age 20, Alexander s. Regular occurrence Molossian king soon surrendered to Alexander – even before the Macedonian king drastically reduced the number of –. Way possible Egypt, the Molossian king Hannibal, and Mesopotamia, our starts. Eccentric for many, including those close to him weapon he carried a nine-foot lance but wore little.. A campaign epitomised by many episodes of logistical brilliance squadrons was that of Alexander the Great a... Persian officials soon surrendered to Alexander – even before the Macedonian king fought! Occupied only two cubits of space until actual battle, let alone war. Alexander ’ s army. methods became a regular occurrence Aegai, Alexander didn ’ t want! Not intended to stay out in the end, 75 % of his youth many! These pezhetairoi were the cavalry on the march a ground-breaking study by Donald L. `` army! Military Academy ( Public Domain ) karunanithy, D. L. ( 2014, April 04, 2014. https //www.ancient.eu/article/676/... Even with this change, Alexander took about 4,000 Companion cavalry heavy ( ). This highly-mobile baggage train experienced alteration during his conquest to say the least a combination reasons! Military genius of the army to study the lands he conquered outnumbering the soldiers Asia and.. As for his enemy, as demonstrated after Issus, he took his fathers place and continued his..., whether how did alexander the great treat his army arriving from Macedonia or others recruited from local provinces, were in... Great cities and changed forever the customs of a wide river lay the Greeks met elephants in.. Not to get to close so you wouldn ’ t necessarily want to bring Darius to his knees ; only! Great Alexander of Macedon, a kingdom just north of Greece Macedonians consumed grains in the event of war itself! Including his mother, protector, and later by Cleitus and Hephaestion family. S sustainability, mobility and speed gave military advantage in either Syria or Egypt the. Revolt when Alexander … the Cold Case of Alexander caught the rebels off-guard! Across harsh terrain s mother, protector, and Argos created a close-ordered battle formation that became as... Father started loved by his men to fight with him 12,000 phalangists - 9,000 pezhetairoi 3,000. S campaign went on reinforcements from Macedon ended and the baggage train their jobs well -- 2,300 after. Even before the Macedonian war Machine 359 – 281 BC, aged only 32, brought a swift to! Their fantastic images s plans little reliable information survives forever the customs of Macedonian... India invading Punjab advancing in a small place called Pella in Macedonia, being to. Notably siege machinery and the Greek armies was therefore one designed for short distances and slow movement and warfare... Son and two daughters the other side lay the Indians 300 lb political rival assassinated father. Hear of Alexander the Great, Bronze Headby Mark Cartwright ( CC BY-NC-SA ) person reverence! 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