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Unbelievably (for myself) I have not read Curtius yet! All of your help is much appreciated (SmittySmitty thanks for the direct citation). Cheers.

One book I have been impressed with is Richard Billows "Antigonos the One-Eyed and the Creation of the Hellenistic State". Of course the emphasis is on Antigonos and Demetrios but as they were the main players in the early Diadochi period this is a good overview of the subject.

Hello all, I have read that there was an episode where there was a riot in the army and Philip had to play possum while Alexander shielded him and basically saved his life. Does anyone know the source of this information?Many thanks,

I knew that it would be controversial to not rank Alexander 1st in his own house!In so much as it is a fact that Sparta's male population had been steadily decreasing it's available military pool, this is still the same Sparta that but 20 years prior was campaigning in Asia and poised to do what Ale...

Hello, I believe that viewpoint 2. would be most accurate. If I recall correctly, Badian(?) did an examination of the reinforcement capability of Macedon and found it produced sufficient manpower to feed Alexanders army extended campaigns. This would then lead to the conclusion that Alexanders use o...

Dear Alexander's disciple,I would have to disagree that the 'Theban' tactics were to blame for the defeat at Charonea. Firstly, it was a combined Theban and Athenian army. Secondly, it was the Athenians who fell for Philip's feigned retreat and blindly rushed forward that cost the battle. Thirdly, E...

Hello Kit,The oblique order may have been simply overloading the left wing to overwhelm the Spartan right but it is amazing that his was the first recorded use of this appearingly simple, but brutally effective tactic. The fact that he destroyed a three century old Spartan battle invicibility and wi...

Interesting speculation! On the assumption we are strictly speaking of Greco-Roman generals then:1) Epaminondas. A revolutionary tactician. His reorganization of the phalanx and utilization of a stand alone elite force set the precedent for Alexanders victories. Whereas the Persians may have been li...

Apparently there is a reference that when the army was marching Alexander would also busy himself with horse archery to keep himself sharp:Life of Alexander, Plutarch. "If he were on a march which required no great haste, he would practise archery as he rode, or mounting and dismounting from a ...

Hello, Loyalty: to his Father in pursuing his dream of attacking the Persian Empire. One may say to his friends except that he has a couple of stains there in regards to Philotas and Cleitus.Duty: Always the first to lead the charge or to be in the front ranks. The man led by example and did not ask...

Hello all, I just finished watching an episode of A&E's Ancient Mysteries where they claim that Alexander saw flying "silver shields" in the sky when he embarked on his campaign to Asia and when he was besieging Tyre. I have not come across these references before. Has anyone seen these?

Hello, I believe Antigonos and Demetrius fought together (albeit leading the army and navy seperately) during the Egyptian campaign against Ptolemy.As for the battle of Ipsos, Demetrius commanded the cavalry there. It was Demetrius charging the oppositions cavalry off the field and not returning in ...

sorry for the double post. I refreshed by mistake.

Hello, It is a pleasure to find a forum dedicated to Alexander. I am new here but will jump in head first and state that in my humble opinion history has not been kind to Philip II who warrants the title of "Great" more if not the same as Alexander. I believe we cannot underestimate the br...