Alexander The Great Wars: The Virtues Of War

Finally, the technology and weapons utilized by the Macedonians enabled them to be better equipped in battle than other armies. It also allowed them to sustain fewer casualties and losses. Peter Connolly and numerous other historians agree that advanced technology such as pikes, sarissas, shields, swords, helmets, and chest plates were either invented, developed, or modified to fit the needs of the Macedonians and allow the army to defeat enemy armies like the Persians and Greeks (Conolly 60-61). Arrian in his book gives proof of how Alexander’s men were often better equipped than those they were facing during his recount of the Battle of the Granicus, where the Macedonians gained the advantage “both through their superior strength and military

The Macedonian army utilized different equipment such as pikes, sarissas, and swords, and were better and differently equipped for battle compared to their opposing foes (Arrian 46). The Virtues of War also describes how at the Battle of the Granicus, the Macedonians had better equipment, either because they devised an effective counter using their equipment, or because they knew the enemies’

It was extremely well disciplined, and there were great amounts of honor among the ranks of the soldiers. Furthermore, the army implemented brilliant and successful strategies during battle, as well as employing and utilizing the correct weapons and equipment to crush their opponents. Arrian’s Anabasis of Alexander provides an abundance of details and evidence for the honor, discipline, and strategies associated with the army, and there have been countless reports made by archeologists, anthropologists, and historians that reveal just how successful the Macedonian army was. Steven Pressfield’s novel, The Virtues of War, accurately portrays and reveals the aspects behind Alexander the Great and his army’s success. It accurately demonstrates the importance of honor and how that affected how the army fought in battle. The novel also correctly portrays the discipline of the army within the battle, and how that discipline led to vastly successful battle strategies. Finally, the novel accurately reveals the significance behind the weapons that the Macedonians used against their enemies, and how this contributed to their success. Ultimately, Pressfield’s novel not only reveals why Alexander the Great and his army were so successful, but how Alexander and his army affected the rest of the ancient world in the years after. Alexander’s glory and virtue continues to be remembered, and his militaristic