Father really did know best
Alexander was a great military mind who expanded his empire and Greek influence further than anyone could have imagined. He was brilliant, charismatic, and aggressive; however, he owes his success to his father. Without a visionary father, Alexander would not have enjoyed the overwhelming success that defines him. While the world remembers Alexander as “the Great” leader that he was, his father, Philip II is the man who revolutionized warfare, built a robust empirical foundation in Macedon and Greece and ensured Alexander was groomed to conquer the known world.
The Macedonians enjoyed a distinct advantage in tactics and technology over their enemies, and it was Philip who was instrumental in revolutionizing warfare during his reign.
Philip established a corps of engineers within his army allowing him to design, build, and employ new catapults and other siege weapons to defeat fortified cities. Philip essentially invented the artillery, and as such, combined arms maneuver warfare. These inventions required skilled operators, which led to a general professionalization of the Macedonian military. Similar to the Spartans, the Macedonian army was not citizen soldiers, but rather a professional force that spent its time drilling and training. Additionally, the Macedonians simplified their command structure, placing Philip at the top and instituting a subordinate chain of command. Furthermore, Philip fostered great camaraderie by bestowing the title of companion upon not only Macedonian soldiers, but mercenaries as well. Companionship gave the army high status in Macedonia while also serving to integrate Macedonians with other Greeks. All the while, Phillip shared in his army’s hardships, solidifying their respect. Perhaps the most influential military reform came within the Macedonian phalanx. Instead of the standard Greek eight-rank Hoplite formation, Philip instituted a much more substantial formation that included an 18-foot-long spear known as the sarissa. This pike was at least twice as long as their Greek adversaries and gave a distinct advantage to Macedon. By the time of his murder, Philip had created the most powerful Army in the world, and when Alexander ascended to the throne, he merely needed to command it.
Philip prepared Alexander for success by securing the territories around Macedon and Greece. In just ten years, Philip pacified the region around Macedon through marriage, battle, and alliances. Philip then acquired the mining region around Mount Pangaeus which would equip his empire with one-thousand talents per year. After defeating Phocian forces at the Battle of Crocus Field in 352, Philip was appointed archon of Thessaly, bringing a prominent Greek city-state under his rule. Following a short peace with Athens and Thebes, Philip’s army met a combined Theban and Athenian force in Boeotia in 358 at the Battle of Chaeronea. The battle was a resounding victory for Philip and resulted in Macedonian domination in Greece for two centuries. Following the subjugation of Greece, Philip turned his attention to Asia and the Persian Empire. At the time of his death, he had already sent an expeditionary force into Asia that had begun inciting insurgencies amongst former Greek cities. Philip’s foreign policies and newfound empire set the conditions for Alexander’s success. At the time of Alexander’s ascension, the Macedonians were already well on their way to taking control of Asia.
Both of Alexander’s parents knew he would eventually play an instrumental role in not only Macedon, but the history of the world. He was developed from an early age for this purpose and, by Philip’s directive, was mentored and educated by the great Aristotle. Given command of the companion cavalry at the age of 18, Alexander’s actions were instrumental in winning the decisive battle over the combined Greek forces during the Battle of Chaeronea. Throughout his upbringing, Alexander governed Macedon in Phillip’s absence and even managed to thwart a Thracian rebellion. This preparation allowed Alexander to become the greatest ruler the world had known until that point in history.
Alexander was an extremely benevolent, intelligent, and innovative leader whose ability to understand the people he conquered while governing them without insulting them were a true testament to his upbringing. His mastery of both battlefield tactics and large-scale strategy were a direct result of his father’s influence on his life. Aristotle trained his mind, and Philip his muscle, combining to create one of the most influential leaders of all time. To say that Alexander does not owe this to his father, Philip, is foolish. Without Philip providing an example and setting the conditions for his success, Alexander would have had a difficult time moving his army into Asia, much less conquering the known world.
