Alexander, Macedonia, Greece
The performance of Alexander as strategists brings a rear insight of the best practices and set high standards against the judgment to be followed. Alexander as a young Macedonian king successfully revealed adroitness with all the grand strategic tools, against a number of foes in different geographical environment and forms of warfare. Finally, his empire covered from Balkans to Egypt and on into India. Alexander achieved his exploits after the decisive defeat of the Persian Empire under Darius III. Alexander's a great strategy is revealed by the fact that he was faced with a disadvantaged manpower against Darius, with only 40,000 men thus he had to obtain maximum effect by integrating a grand strategy to achieve his objective from his limited forces.
Alexander become the king of Macedonia at the age of twenty after his father, Philip II, was assassinated in 336 B.C. By the time Alexander accessed to power, Macedonia was the hegemonic power in Greece. Alexander's father established a political settlement in Greece recognizing the hegemony of Macedonia and provided materials that gave support to the foreign policy for the kingdom. However, Philip, Alexander's father, was killed one year after the establishment of a political settlement in Greece. Thus, Alexander was the one to establish the political settlement fully. Alexander campaigned throughout Greece, convincing people to honor their political commitment by a combination of coercion and political compromises.
[...] Alexander's father established a political settlement in Greece recognizing the hegemony of Macedonia and provided materials that gave support to the foreign policy for the kingdom. However, Philip, Alexander's father, was killed one year after the establishment of a political settlement in Greece. Thus, Alexander was the one to establish the political settlement fully. Alexander campaigned throughout Greece, convincing people to honor their political commitment by a combination of coercion and political compromises. Alexander had a main policy goal of clear invasion of Persia. Thus, maintenance of stability was his principle objective in Greece. [...]
[...] It was clear that Alexander inherited a well-placed state for military adventure. Alexander had faced a substantial fee in Persia by the time he crossed to conquer the Persian Empire. Within the period of establishment of Persian Empire, the empire had a well-structured social, economic and political system. The empire was centered at the Persis province, with high offices in the royal court were exclusively preserving the aristocracy of the Persian Empire. This gave the king and his close relatives the components of imperial power. [...]
[...] The campaign by Alexander began with a relative number of forces; thus, he was able to leave a small garrison in the area he conquered to retain the offensive force. The style of command of Alexander suited to the Greek's heroic culture. The victory of Alexander at Granicus opened opportunities for him in Asia. However, Alexander spent much of the time liberating the cities of Greece from the Persian control and dealing with the threats of the Persians. His approach to his conquered landmass reveals his grand strategy and suggests that Alexander understood how the Persian Empire was being controlled. [...]
[...] He ensured a stable transfer of power by adjusting his policies after understanding the policies of the locals. However, Alexander could not hesitate to use brutal force whenever there was a challenge to his rule. For instance, Alexander slaughtered the inhabitants of Tyre after the long siege of Tyre, and some were sold as slaves when they refused to accept his authority. His military powers were indicated by the victory at Granicus and Tyre treatment. Neutralization of the Persian's centers of power by Alexander was all about shifting of power balance in the empire. [...]
[...] A history of Greece initial to the death of Alexander the Great. New York: Modern library Snyder, J. W. (1966). Alexander the Great. New York: Twayne Publishers. Tarn, W. W. (1948). Alexander the Great. Cambridge [England: University Press. [...]
APA Style reference
For your bibliographyOnline reading
with our online readerContent validated
by our reading committee
