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Lecture 4

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hat are the qualities that make an outstanding general?

Intelligence? Creativity? Daring? Calculation? Charisma? Luck?

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often regarded as one of the greatest generals of all time. He conquered most

of the known world, was victorious in four major battles, conducted several

successful sieges, and held together a multinational army during an epic

march across much of Europe and Asia. His name, of course, was Alexander,

more commonly known as Alexander the Great.

Background to Gaugamela

x The Battle of Gaugamela, perhaps Alexander’s greatest victory,

demonstrates that one of the keys to his success as a general was

his unusual combination of cautious preparation before battle and

quick-thinking boldness once engaged.

x The golden age of the Greeks had

ended with the long, destructive

Peloponnesian War, in which the

Greeks again turned against one

another. Although Sparta was the

nominal victor, all participants

were exhausted and impoverished

by the struggle.

x Over the next half century, a

new power arose to the north:

Macedonia, a minor, disunited

state, weakly controlled by a

hereditary king. Between 359

B.C., when Philip II came to

the throne, and 339 B.C., he

transformed Macedonia into a

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combined a sharp intelligence

with great athleticism; he was

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gift of inspiring intense loyalty

among his followers.

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