The Ancients Alexander the Great
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Jan 24, 2024 Join Dan Snow and Tristan as they take a whistle-stop tour of Alexander the Great's life, from his rise to power in Macedonia to his epic battles with the Persians. Discover his early victories, conquest of Egypt, and his legacy on Egyptian culture. Dive into his greatest victory at Galcomela and his determination to get rid of enemies. The podcast also includes reflections, introduction of a new podcast, and promotions of documentaries on Pompeii.
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Initiative And Personal Leadership
- Alexander won at Granicus by seizing initiative and personally leading daring cavalry actions despite close calls.
- Early battlefield risk and charismatic leadership bolstered his myth and army cohesion.
Combined Arms And Siegecraft
- Alexander's success relied on a combined-arms army, engineering, and dependable subordinate commanders.
- Innovative siegecraft and specialized allied troops complemented the famous phalanx and cavalry.
Targeting The Enemy Center
- At Issus and later Gaugamela Alexander exploited terrain and precise cavalry maneuvers to defeat numerically superior Persian forces.
- Targeting enemy leadership (Darius) created decisive routs and strategic collapse.