Alexander´s Combined Weapons during Balkan Campaign

Authors

KOUŘIL Jiří

Year of publication 2019
Type Appeared in Conference without Proceedings
MU Faculty or unit

Faculty of Arts

Citation
Description This presentation deals with Alexander the Great as a brilliant strategist and commander. The main goal of the presentation is to show the genius of Alexander thanks to his excellent combined weapons during the Balkan campaign in 335 B.C. The great combination of the weapons and troops was reflected in Alexander's victories against the Thracians, Triballi, Gets and Illyrians. The influence of Philip II and his reforms and the impact of Aristotle's education on Alexander were very important, but Alexander himself was a military genius as well. The education and strategical thinking thereof warrior king meant that he was undefeated during many years of wars. His great combination of the weapons/troops in the Balkan campaign brought several relatively easy victories here – easy for him and his commanders. They recognized a trap in the Haemus Mons against the Thracians and they used a great strategy against the Triballi hidden in the forest and against the Gets beyond the Danube river too. Alexander's parade battle drill at the Pelion fortress was unusual and thanks to that Alexander defeated the Illyrians with Glaucias of Taulantii (the Illyrian king) and Cleitus (the king of the Dardanians). This strategy was very useful for the deliverance from a trap and Alexander's bad position at Pelion. The combination of the Agrians, archers, cavalry and heavy infantry in Alexander's army during the Balkan campaign was extraordinary and that atoned small mistakes as well in that time.
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