Alexander nd

8/7/2019 Alexander nd

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Alexander the Great





Alexander as

Military

Commander Bold and imaginative leadership,

the courage and technical quality of his army,

the systematic development of his strategy over 2 million square

miles.

Alexander was among the first to recognize that commander's proper

function is not to fight himself, but to direct the fighting of others.

Had a keen sense of how to motivate people and how to obtain their

loyalty and respect.

Appointed his garrison commanders and ordered them to allow the

governors to rule their respective districts according to ancient

custom.



Alexander theP

erfect BlendAppealed to

Soldiers

Served in

fathers army

Great leader

Charismatic

Brave

Proven Winner

Appealed to

Aristocracy

Well Educated

(Aristotle)

Good

Bloodlines

Brilliant Orator



Education of Alexander Socrates

Plato

AristotleAlexander

Phillip bought the best education money could

buy.Instilled Alexander with the wisdom of

Athens, later he will use knowledge to aid inconquering others.







ALEXANDER AS A LEADER

Alexander was very much war oriented and

therefore did not put off his battles to marry

and have children, even though this wouldleave the kingdom without a ruler in the

event of his death. He was much more

concerned with his fame than with what

would happen to his empire should he be

killed.




As a general and leader Alexander was

closely involved with his wars and his men.

Unlike most generals or rulers he did notstay on the defensive side of his assault to

ensure his safety but rather joined his men

and led them on attacks.




In order to keep morale up among his men

he allowed those who were recently married

to go home and see their families when theywere not fighting. Following each battle he

would personally go around to the hospital

tents and talk with his men that had been

injured in battle and allow them to boast of

how brave they were.




When men died in battle he would grant

their families relief from land-tax and

personal service. He also providedentertainment in the form of concerts and

plays for his troops after a battle. In case

there was a delay between battles he would

hold sporting events where the winners

would receive prizes that he provided.



Alexander and theP

rinciples of War Maneuver

Mass

SurpriseSecurity

Objective

Economy of Force

OffensiveUnity of Command

Simplicity



Maneuver

Created a gap by causing Darius to shift forces to meetthe initial attack on the right

MassUsed the wedge formation at the gap in Darius¶ line(decisive place and time)

Surprise

Kept Darius up all night expecting an attack and thenattacked the next day when Darius was tired

Objective

Capture Darius in order to replace him as king

Alexander and theP

rinciples of War



Alexander and theP

rinciples of War Economy of force

Accepted risk on his left in order to launch a strongattack on his right

OffensiveAttacked even though grossly outnumbered

Unity of command

Alexander personally led the Companion cavalry in the

attack on the right

Simplicity

Much of what Alexander was able to do was based onthe discipline his soldiers had gained from drill





A Divided EmpireWithout Al the strong empire fallsapart, literally.

Ptolemy «.. Egypt

Selcus «.. Modern Middle East

Antigonus «.. Greece and Asia Minor

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Alexander nd