Essay Sample on Alexander the Great: Conquering the World with Martial Leadership

Introduction

Alexander the Great was a great leader with his greatness spreading all over the world. He became a general at a tender age and he was never defeated in war. Though he lived in an era where means of transport were not as advanced as todays, I would dare say that if he lived in our time, the same history would repeat itself. The study of his war of conquest using the sheer force is an interesting subject.

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Berg, Christopher. "Alexander the Great: A Case Study in Martial Leader." Ancient Eu Articles 2016,

The article gives an account of the rise of alexander and factors that led to his conquest after the death of his father. As pointed out earlier, alexander portrayed a behavior and thinking capacity beyond his age. His ability to persevere in hardship contributed to his victory. Also, much of his victory can be attributed to his war tactics. The author writes that during the Granicus war, alexander was unskilled and new in the war field. Therefore, the Persians army was not moved by his presence because they thought he was fighting a lost battle. In addition, his army was disadvantaged because the enemies had taken all the high places leaving hi in the bank of the river. The river is believed to be about four meters high, which would have been hard for his soldiers to cross without injuries. Therefore, he recommended that they swim through the river and attack the Persians from the side as Amyntas and his group confronted the Persians, alexander and his team were busy swimming through the river, and eventually, they attacked the Persians from the side. Alexander's killing of the Persian commander with a splintered javelin sent a revolt to his enemies. He was pursued by Mithradetes brothers, and was it not for Cleitus who slew the hand of Spithridates. Alexander would have died at that time.

This article will be useful in understanding what attributed to the victory of alexander in such a disadvantaged position. I will also use it to examine whether the war tactics used in these days are still applicable in our current society. Lastly, we will use the article in comparing the effectiveness of the war tactics and resources used during this time with those of our modern time, and what we can learn from them. Though alexander was in a place where he could hardly win the battle, his wit and tactics came to his rescue. From this story, we can learn that though every nation has access to resources, we can utilize our natural abilities in planning how to win.

Dodge, Theodore Ayrault. Alexander: a History of the Origin and Growth of the Art of War from the Earliest Times to the Battle of Ipsus, 301 BC, with a Detailed Account of the Campaigns of the Great Macedonian. Greenhill Books, 1993.

The book gives detailed historical accounts of war with much attention to the reign of Alexander the Great. History records numerous events of the war with little concentration on peace. According to the author, war is an art invented by great warriors, which is dependent on skills intelligence and determination rather than rule and power. It was after the recording of unusual activities of some prominent generals that the art of war became a science. A strategy is looking on a map a deciding how you will fight while tactics are the fight on the battlefield. Lack of technology made the plan less fruitful in ancient times, which made soldiers utilize more on tactics. Alexander is one of the used examples of how tactics developed during ancient times. Asia Minor and Granicus war are used to demonstrate what tools old soldiers used in their fighting.

I will use the book to demonstrate how a lack of resources is not an excuse for a failed war. The examples of alexander the great on the Granicus war is clear evidence that we can use our natural abilities to conquer. The book will also be used to compare and contrast the ancient war and the current conflicts. The book explains that people depended more on their tactics rather than strategies. This is a contrast to the current society, which has more resources to use strategies.

Finally, the book will also help in understanding the benefits and limitations of each method of war. For example, the current soldiers are trained to use strategies more than tactics. A little misinformation on the map may result in bad strategy and tactics. On the other hand, it is impossible to use the right tactic without knowledge of the strategy to use. We can say that a balance between the two is needed for a successful victory.

The Bible. Authorized King James Version , 1998

The bible contains remarkable journals of Jewish prophets and their prediction of the rise and the fall of alexander the great. The journal was written during the reign of King Belshazzar of Babylon and king Darrius the Mede. Daniel 7 explains Alexander the Great as a leopard with four wings. The Jewish interpreted this to mean that just as a leopard is fast, so would Alexander be swift in conquering nations. The journal also explains that though the king of Persia was stronger than Alexander, he was to be defeated. The events turned out just as it is recorded. Daniel 11 gives a description of the rise and fall of alexander. Daniel also explains the character of Alexander. Daniel 11:3, "a mighty king shall stand up that shall rule with great dominion and will do according to his will." It is worth noting that Daniel prophesies how alexander's kingdom will be divided by his four generals and not by his children. Daniel 11:4, "his kingdom shall be broken and shall be divided towards the four winds of heaven and not to his prosperity nor according to his dominion."

This journal will be useful in understanding how supernatural powers influenced the history of the prince and how it may be influencing our history. We will also draw some lessons from the journal that can help us to avoid mistakes made in the past in the making of our history. The journal goes beyond the reign of Alexander. It explains the next kingdom after his up to the end of the world. In addition, the journal helps us to understand that the war of conquest was mostly determined by discipline, knowledge, and influence rather than riches and power. Alexander was inferior to his enemies though he is described as a leopard with eagle's wings.

Plutarch. The Life of Alexander the Great. Modern Library, 2004

The diary gives a detailed history of the mysterious birth of alexander the great his childhood, his leadership, and his death and. The article shows that the life of alexander was planned way before he was born. On the eve of his mother's wedding, she had a dream in which she saw a mysterious object fell on her and it kindled greet light which illuminated all corners which went off sometimes later. After his parents got married, his father had a dream, and it was interpreted by diviners that the child to be born was a boy, and he will be as brave as a lion. Other soothsayers interpreted the dream to mean that the child would destroy the Asian kingdom. During his childhood, he would talk to the Asians who came to visit his father in a very exciting way because he did not ask them simple questions of his age but rather asked questions such as the way to Asia, how the road is constructed, among others. Alexander was outgoing. In his childhood, it is said that he found pleasure in being praised, conquering issues, and drinking alcohol. One thing that helped Alexander in his later years is his ability to ride and tame a horse.

This article will be of importance to my study because it shows us how his early years prepared him for the course that was before him. His questioning spirit at a young age on many subjects like the way to Asia, how the king and the people of Asia looked like was evidence of an intelligent person, and this prepared him in his mission. His choleric character enabled him to plan wars and influence those around him. His ability to handle horses helped him in his preparations for war. Without the knowledge of which horse was best for wars, it would have been impossible for him to conquer many nations as he did. Lastly, his predestined life directed his activities to some extent. We can say that whether he worked hard or not, what was prophesied concerning his life would have been fulfilled by all means.

Workman, B. Keith, Ed. They saw it happen in classical times: an anthology of eye-witnesses' accounts of events in the histories of Greece and Rome, 1400 BC-A. Blackwell, 1964.

The journal accounts for the last days of the great king and his last wishes. The great leader died in 323BC at the age of 32 years. On the night of his death, he had attended a party by his friend Medius where he heavily got drunk. The death of his friend Haphestion caused a sudden change in the life of alexander. He lost life's direction and started drinking and using drugs. His enthusiastic spirit of fighting was gone, and he no longer encouraged his men to fight. Seeing what their leader has become, the soldiers got discouraged, and they could no longer go to war. The Gedrosia failure was evidence of how alexander had become a miserable warrior. Before he could attack Arabia, he caught a fever that led to his death. Before he died, he had three wishes to make. One, he wished that doctors should carry his coffin, that gold should be spread on the way to his burial and lastly, that he should be taken in a coffin with his hands hanging outside.

Conclusion

The journal will help in understanding how we should live our lives. We will study the explanation of the three wishes and see what Alexander wanted the world to learn from him, and how he wanted the great leaders of our society to live their lives. From the journal, we learn that drug abuse and excessive drinking can turn a great leader into a worthless person. We can say that the failure of Alexander can be attributed to his lack of self-control. We are told that he was an arrogant person, and he did as he wished. This diary will help us understand how the current leaders and soldiers are susceptible to the same failures of the great leader. For example, soldiers are known to be pleasure lovers and heavy drinkers.

Works cited

Berg, Christopher. "Alexander the Great: A Case Study in Martial Leader." Ancient Eu Articles 2016,

Dodge, Theodore Ayrault. Alexander: a History of the Origin and Growth of the Art of War from the Earliest Times to the Battle of Ipsus, 301 BC, with a Detailed Account of the Campaigns of the Great Macedonian. Greenhill Books, 1993.

The Bible. Authorized King James Version , 1998

Plutarch. The Life of Alexander the Great. Modern Library, 2004

Workman, B. Keith, Ed. They saw it happen in classical times: an anthology of eye-witnesses' accounts of events in the histories of Greece and Rome, 1400 BC-A. Blackwell, 1964.