10-25-2010, 09:53 PM
Alexander was one of the most important and successful commanders of antiquity and surely his fame was not a product of Greek propaganda or contemporary groupies. Although to my opinion Hannibal was a better field commander, not because his tactics were more inspired but solely because the tactical difficulties he faced on the battlefield were greater, Alexander was the most competent commander of all. He excelled in all aspects we could rate in a general.
1. Innovation and Adaptability
Alexander displayed tremendous adaptability and innovation during his career. It is true that the Macedonian army was an excellent war machine even in Philip's time, but inheriting a superb army did not stop him from advancing its tactical capabilities even more. We cannot be sure as to how much he changed Macedonian armament, although theories exist that it was in fact he that made the sarrisa really standing out from a very long spear, but it is during his reign that we see the Hetairoi taking their (Alexandrian) role on the battlefield and not during Philip's. One can surely argue that lack of evidence as to how Philip utilized cavalry should not drive us to the conclusion that Alexander developed their tactics, but it is Alexander who is the world's first cavalry general. Philip stayed in a more traditional place among the infantry. This is evidence enough that Alexander relied much more than his father on the effect his cavalry would have upon the enemy. Throughout his career, Alexander is full of ideas. He ponders on his experimental phalanx, he utilizes horse archers, he successfully deals with elephants, chariots, rolling carts, he has to ford wide rivers like Hydaspes, not streams as is the case in most such battles, he has to devise a way to get at Tyre, a task as large-scale as Masada, only some centuries before that, he successfully fights the Scythians, he proves he has soldiers that "fly", he wins battles by exhibition of ability... Alexander's history is full of elements of innovation and he surely is the most adaptable of commanders, if only because of the constant differentiation of circumstances he had to face in his career.
2. Tactical Genius
No one doubts that his battles were marvelously marshaled. Some of us might not hold that much respect for the Persian army, especially under Darius, but truth is that he displayed a unique ability to understand tactical opportunities, even though sometimes even his most experienced and capable of generals failed to do so. His rashness was not youthful arrogance but history proves that Alexander knew how to exploit every factor that could win him a battle. Against the Persians he had to act fast, slow maneuvers and long battles would only tax his army against a much larger opponents (even if not counted in millions), equipped with bows and skirmishing cavalry. On the other hand, he waited for days until he decided to ford Hydaspes, he employed a stratagem to hit at Illyrian morale, he shunned away from the urge to attack the Malli with his cavalry and patiently waited for his infantry to catch up...
His tactics were diverse and complex. He utilized all known forms of phalanx deployment. Oblique, oblong, plinthion... He moved forces from one wing to the other during the battle, like at Issus and Hydaspes, he combined arms, employed stratagems, utilized new troop types all the time.. no other ancient commander is credited with more diversity in his tactics, not even Hannibal, Caesar or Scipio. And of course he fought against a huge variety of enemies,Greek hoplite armies, Illyrians, Gauls, Thracians, Persians, Indians, Scythians... with absolute success.
3. Strategical Genius
In such a short time, Alexander created a vast empire. He was able to fully exploit his victories, he was a superb politician, he was able to keep a relatively stable empire formed by hundreds of peoples. Alexander's route through Asia clearly shows that his course was well planned, he consolidated his advances, he drew his opponents to battle, he knew how and when to avoid battle, he had a full grasp of the importance of naval superiority, logistics and supply lines. His campaign is a lesson of grand strategy that was admired by his contemporaries and the next generations of commanders alike.
4. Human Resources Management Genius
Alexander was of course lucky to have about him some extremely competent and able generals from his father's time but he also displayed a unique ability to use the right men in the right positions. Most of his generals came from his cohort of "Friends", his Companions and they were at least as competent as those appointed by his father. He also had an army that loved him and was willing to give their life for him as fanatically as the samurai for their lords. He spoke in his men's minds and hearts and instilled in them a remarkable obedience and admiration. An army weeping for their commander to stop being angry at them? No matter if such incidents are based on truth or exaggeration the fact remains that Alexander was one of the most beloved and admired commanders and a superb judge of character.
5. Political Genius
Another well known trait of Alexander was his ability to win enemies over through his magnanimity while at the same time inspiring terror to those who would not submit to his good will. Against Greek "Arianism", Alexander chose to cooperate with his non-Greek subjects. He found a way to keep his empire well governed while he himself was for years campaigning both in Europe and in Asia and Africa. Plutarch's "The Virtue and Fortune of Alexander" is a testament to the image of his person. He was a conqueror to those who needed to be conquered, a friend to and admired by those who needed to feel appreciated, a savage murderer to those who needed fear in order to be governed. The complexity of his political decisions and actions clearly show that he had the ability to fully adapt to circumstances. He inaugurated the Hellenistic Age, he made Greek civilization admired and tolerated in the East, so that his successors could rule over a world that would not see Hellenism as an alien threat, he combined his own traditions and dreams with those of his subjects, Alexander formed a state based on efficiency rather than Greek chauvinism.
6. Builder
If Alexander is famous about something it surely is his will to build a new world. He built so many great cities, monuments, no other commander ever made such an impact as a builder.
7. Destroyer
Alexander many times displayed the will to physically eliminate all resistance. From Thebes to India he often treated his enemies with savage cruelty. Yet, he did this efficiently to the point that suited his goals. Humanitarian ethics is not what we should look for in a great commander. He was just as efficient as a humanitarian, again showing his adaptability.
8. Vices
I know of no great commander who had no vices. Alexander was not a drunkard, but he would drink and get drunk during symposia. He quickly disposed of the people he feared but he also showed extraordinary trust in and love to his friends. Alexander never allowed any of his vices to come between him and military success and that is the characteristic of a great general. Among his most serious vices we often regard his love of valor and rashness to be in the front line. Yet, we tend to forget that Alexander lived in an era when such actions from a commander were not strange. The Persian kings fought in the front line (among their Friends, just as Alexander), maybe if Darius posted himself behind his lines, Alexander would not beat them as easily. Porus fought on his elephant, Greek commanders in general fought among the first lines, Leonidas, Pelopidas, Epaminondas, Philopoemen... Alexander is not overrated, we are overcritical.
In conclusion, Alexander may not be the greatest commander in all these and other "assessment criteria" for a general but he had a rare trait. He was superb in all aspects. He is an historical persona lifted to myth and consistently admired for thousands of years. There must be a damn good reason for this.
1. Innovation and Adaptability
Alexander displayed tremendous adaptability and innovation during his career. It is true that the Macedonian army was an excellent war machine even in Philip's time, but inheriting a superb army did not stop him from advancing its tactical capabilities even more. We cannot be sure as to how much he changed Macedonian armament, although theories exist that it was in fact he that made the sarrisa really standing out from a very long spear, but it is during his reign that we see the Hetairoi taking their (Alexandrian) role on the battlefield and not during Philip's. One can surely argue that lack of evidence as to how Philip utilized cavalry should not drive us to the conclusion that Alexander developed their tactics, but it is Alexander who is the world's first cavalry general. Philip stayed in a more traditional place among the infantry. This is evidence enough that Alexander relied much more than his father on the effect his cavalry would have upon the enemy. Throughout his career, Alexander is full of ideas. He ponders on his experimental phalanx, he utilizes horse archers, he successfully deals with elephants, chariots, rolling carts, he has to ford wide rivers like Hydaspes, not streams as is the case in most such battles, he has to devise a way to get at Tyre, a task as large-scale as Masada, only some centuries before that, he successfully fights the Scythians, he proves he has soldiers that "fly", he wins battles by exhibition of ability... Alexander's history is full of elements of innovation and he surely is the most adaptable of commanders, if only because of the constant differentiation of circumstances he had to face in his career.
2. Tactical Genius
No one doubts that his battles were marvelously marshaled. Some of us might not hold that much respect for the Persian army, especially under Darius, but truth is that he displayed a unique ability to understand tactical opportunities, even though sometimes even his most experienced and capable of generals failed to do so. His rashness was not youthful arrogance but history proves that Alexander knew how to exploit every factor that could win him a battle. Against the Persians he had to act fast, slow maneuvers and long battles would only tax his army against a much larger opponents (even if not counted in millions), equipped with bows and skirmishing cavalry. On the other hand, he waited for days until he decided to ford Hydaspes, he employed a stratagem to hit at Illyrian morale, he shunned away from the urge to attack the Malli with his cavalry and patiently waited for his infantry to catch up...
His tactics were diverse and complex. He utilized all known forms of phalanx deployment. Oblique, oblong, plinthion... He moved forces from one wing to the other during the battle, like at Issus and Hydaspes, he combined arms, employed stratagems, utilized new troop types all the time.. no other ancient commander is credited with more diversity in his tactics, not even Hannibal, Caesar or Scipio. And of course he fought against a huge variety of enemies,Greek hoplite armies, Illyrians, Gauls, Thracians, Persians, Indians, Scythians... with absolute success.
3. Strategical Genius
In such a short time, Alexander created a vast empire. He was able to fully exploit his victories, he was a superb politician, he was able to keep a relatively stable empire formed by hundreds of peoples. Alexander's route through Asia clearly shows that his course was well planned, he consolidated his advances, he drew his opponents to battle, he knew how and when to avoid battle, he had a full grasp of the importance of naval superiority, logistics and supply lines. His campaign is a lesson of grand strategy that was admired by his contemporaries and the next generations of commanders alike.
4. Human Resources Management Genius
Alexander was of course lucky to have about him some extremely competent and able generals from his father's time but he also displayed a unique ability to use the right men in the right positions. Most of his generals came from his cohort of "Friends", his Companions and they were at least as competent as those appointed by his father. He also had an army that loved him and was willing to give their life for him as fanatically as the samurai for their lords. He spoke in his men's minds and hearts and instilled in them a remarkable obedience and admiration. An army weeping for their commander to stop being angry at them? No matter if such incidents are based on truth or exaggeration the fact remains that Alexander was one of the most beloved and admired commanders and a superb judge of character.
5. Political Genius
Another well known trait of Alexander was his ability to win enemies over through his magnanimity while at the same time inspiring terror to those who would not submit to his good will. Against Greek "Arianism", Alexander chose to cooperate with his non-Greek subjects. He found a way to keep his empire well governed while he himself was for years campaigning both in Europe and in Asia and Africa. Plutarch's "The Virtue and Fortune of Alexander" is a testament to the image of his person. He was a conqueror to those who needed to be conquered, a friend to and admired by those who needed to feel appreciated, a savage murderer to those who needed fear in order to be governed. The complexity of his political decisions and actions clearly show that he had the ability to fully adapt to circumstances. He inaugurated the Hellenistic Age, he made Greek civilization admired and tolerated in the East, so that his successors could rule over a world that would not see Hellenism as an alien threat, he combined his own traditions and dreams with those of his subjects, Alexander formed a state based on efficiency rather than Greek chauvinism.
6. Builder
If Alexander is famous about something it surely is his will to build a new world. He built so many great cities, monuments, no other commander ever made such an impact as a builder.
7. Destroyer
Alexander many times displayed the will to physically eliminate all resistance. From Thebes to India he often treated his enemies with savage cruelty. Yet, he did this efficiently to the point that suited his goals. Humanitarian ethics is not what we should look for in a great commander. He was just as efficient as a humanitarian, again showing his adaptability.
8. Vices
I know of no great commander who had no vices. Alexander was not a drunkard, but he would drink and get drunk during symposia. He quickly disposed of the people he feared but he also showed extraordinary trust in and love to his friends. Alexander never allowed any of his vices to come between him and military success and that is the characteristic of a great general. Among his most serious vices we often regard his love of valor and rashness to be in the front line. Yet, we tend to forget that Alexander lived in an era when such actions from a commander were not strange. The Persian kings fought in the front line (among their Friends, just as Alexander), maybe if Darius posted himself behind his lines, Alexander would not beat them as easily. Porus fought on his elephant, Greek commanders in general fought among the first lines, Leonidas, Pelopidas, Epaminondas, Philopoemen... Alexander is not overrated, we are overcritical.
In conclusion, Alexander may not be the greatest commander in all these and other "assessment criteria" for a general but he had a rare trait. He was superb in all aspects. He is an historical persona lifted to myth and consistently admired for thousands of years. There must be a damn good reason for this.
