Author Description

Alexander of Macedonia was undoubtedly one of the greatest generals of all time. His over-riding passion for war and conquest led him not only to confront the might of the Persian Empire but also to lead his armies as far afield as India. He managed to successfully portray himself as liberator of the Greek cities in Asia, and sought to fuse the culture of his own lands with those of the east by choosing to make Babylon the capital of his empire and encouraging his officers to take oriental wives. This book, by John Warry, an expert on the warfare of the Classical world looks at Alexander's campaigns, examining his principle battles in detail. The battles of the Granicus, Issus, Gaugamela and of the Hydaspes are all treated at length, as is the difficult siege of Tyre. 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 looked at, and this greatly helps to shed light on the later battle accounts. This title thus gives a comprehensive insight into Alexander's life and military actions, as well as placing them in their proper historical context and explaining their consequences.