Alexander 334 323 Bc

This book combines Men-at-Arms 148- 'The Army of Alexander the Great' and Campaign 7- 'Alexander 334-323BC- Conquest of the Persian Empire'. Upon the assassination of his father King Philip II in the summer of 336BC, Alexander took over the reins of power of a now united Greece. When he led his combined Macedonian and Greek army into Asia a year later he began the greatest career of military conquest in world history. In 11 short years he overcame the might of the Persian Empire and campaigned across the face of the known world. Two eminent scholars of the Classical world (Nick Sekunda and John Warry) describe in detail the make up of Alexander's army, and the course of his epic campaigns.

The spectacular career of Alexander the Great represented a watershed in military history. After the assassination of his father, King Philip II, Alexander took command of a newly united kingdom that combined the military might of Macedonia and Greece. Perfecting new weapons and tactics pioneered by King Philip, the young Alexander led his forces into Asia, conquering the Persian Empire and campaigning across the face of the known world. This book examines the structure and organisation of Alexander's world-beating army, and traces the course of his epic campaigns. Combines material previously published as Men-at-Arms 148- 'The Army of Alexander the Great' and Campaign 7- 'Alexander 334-323 BC'.

John Warry, an expert on the warfare of the Classical world, examines the principle battles of Alexander's campaigns in detail. Alexander of Macedonia was undoubtedly one of the greatest generals of all time. In Alexander 334–323 BC, the battles of the Granicus, Issus, Gaugamela, Hydaspes and the difficult siege of Tyre are all discussed at length. These careful studies shed light on Macedonian tactics: in particular the combination of armoured infantry phalanx with fast-moving cavalry. The men and equipment of both Alexander and his Persian enemies are also examined, providing a comprehensive insight into Alexander's life and military actions. Men-at-Arms 148 and Campaign 7 are also available in a single volume special edition as Alexander the Great.

This biography portrays Alexander as both a complex personality and a single-minded general, a man capable of such diverse expediencies as patricide or the massacre of civilians. Writing for the general reader, the author provides gritty details on Alexander's darker side while providing a gripping tale of Alexander's career.

The age of Alexander and his conquest of the Persian or 'Achaemenid' Empire, which had existed for over two centuries, represents a watershed in the history of the world. This book offers a fascinating insight into the achievements of one of the greatest generals ever known. Alexander's conquests are of profound significance. By perfecting the new weapons and tactics developed by his father, Philip II, and combining them with the use of specialist units and advancements in siege warfare, Alexander enabled the Macedonian kingdom to move beyond the restrictions of city-state armies and on to the stage of world conquest.

Granicus River was Alexander's first great victory over the Persians, where he demonstrated the heroic style of active and decisive leadership that was the hallmark of his career. After assuming the throne of Macedonia in 336BC and consolidating his hold on mainland Greece, Alexander crossed the Hellespont to face the Persians at the steep banks of the Granicus. In the initial engagement, Alexander's 5,000 cavalry, supported by archers and javelin men, routed a force of 20,000 Persian cavalry. Leading the charge, Alexander came close to death, narrowly missing having his head split in two, but eventually triumphed, allowing his infantry to massacre the Greek army, which was hired by the Persians. This convincing victory was the springboard for the subjugation of the coastal cities, the neutralization of the Persian navy, and ultimately the conquest of the Persian Empire. Exploring the courageous leadership of one of the world's most inspirational yet ruthless leaders, this book provides a detailed analysis of the battle, strategy, and tactics of the forces engaged.

*Includes pictures *Includes excerpts of ancient accounts of the campaign *Includes a bibliography for further reading Over the last 2,000 years, ambitious men have dreamed of forging vast empires and attaining eternal glory in battle, but of all the conquerors who took steps toward such dreams, none were ever as successful as antiquity's first great conqueror. Leaders of the 20th century hoped to rival Napoleon's accomplishments, while Napoleon aimed to emulate the accomplishments of Julius Caesar. But Caesar himself found inspiration in Alexander the Great (356-323 BCE), the Macedonian king who managed to stretch an empire from Greece to the Himalayas in Asia by the age of 30. It took less than 15 years for Alexander to conquer much of the known world. At one point in antiquity, the Achaemenid Persian Empire was the largest empire the world had ever seen, but aside from its role in the Greco-Persian Wars and its collapse at the hands of Alexander the Great, it has been mostly overlooked. Ever since the famous Persian invasions that had been repelled by the Athenians at Marathon and then by the Spartans at Thermopylae and Plataea, Greece and Persia had been at odds. For the past few years they had enjoyed an uneasy peace, but that peace was shattered when, in 334 BCE, Alexander crossed the Hellespont into Persia. He brought with him an army of 50,000 infantry, 6,000 cavalry and a navy of over 100 ships, a mixed force of Macedonians, Greeks, Thracians and Illyrians, all chosen for their specific strengths (the Thessalians, for example, were famous cavalrymen). He was still just 22.Darius III, king of Persia at the time of Alexander's invasion, was no tactical genius, but he was an intelligent and persistent enemy who had been handed the throne just before the arrival of the indomitable Alexander. His misfortune was to face an enemy at the forefront of military innovation and flexibility, a fighting force that he was not equipped to handle, and the unconquerable will of the Macedonian army, fueled by devotion to their daring and charismatic king. When Alexander crossed the Hellespont in 334 BCE, his first encounter with Persian forces took place along the Granicus River. The Persian commanders had met at the city of Zeleia along with Memnon of Rhodes, the leader of their Greek mercenary forces, and Memnon advised the Persians not to fight Alexander head on. Since the Persian forces were slightly outnumbered for the battle, Memnon advised that the Persians should scorch the nearby lands and make travel and supplying the army difficult for Alexander. After the Battle of the Granicus River, the Persian king would personally face Alexander twice, once at the Battle of Issus and again at the Battle of Gaugamela, and the battles would decide the fate of his empire and the fate of the Western world. Alexander the Great and the Achaemenid Persian Empire: The History and Legacy of the Macedonian King's Campaign against the Persians looks at one of antiquity's most important campaigns, and the legendary battles between the two sides. Along with pictures depicting important people, places, and events, you will learn about the campaign like never before.