Alexander´s Combined Weapons during Balkan Campaign

KOUŘIL, Jiří. Alexander´s Combined Weapons during Balkan Campaign. In Ancient Days (Ancient society and Department of Classical Studies, Faculty of Arts MU, Brno). 2019.

Basic information

• Original name: Alexander´s Combined Weapons during Balkan Campaign
• Authors: KOUŘIL, Jiří (203 Czech Republic, guarantor, belonging to the institution).
• Edition: Ancient Days (Ancient society and Department of Classical Studies, Faculty of Arts MU, Brno), 2019.

Other information

• Original language: English
• Type of outcome: Presentations at conferences
• Field of Study: 60101 History
• Country of publisher: Czech Republic
• Confidentiality degree: is not subject to a state or trade secret
• WWW: URL
• RIV identification code: RIV/00216224:14210/19:00110843
• Organization unit: Faculty of Arts
• Keywords in English: Agrians; Alexander; archers; Balkan campaign; cavalry; strategy
• Tags: rivok

Abstract

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.

Links

• MUNI/A/1269/2018, interní kód MU: Name: Výzkum starověkých jazyků mediteránního prostoru, jejich písemnictví a příslušných kultur, včetně jejich recepce – 2019 (Acronym: Staré jazyky a kultury)

Investor: Masaryk University, Category A