What were the main factors which contributed to Alexander conquering the Persians?

Hi guys,

I'm sure this has been discussed here numerous times, so I'm sorry if this seems like flogging a dead horse...

But how did Alexander do it?

Was it fault on the Persian side in the sense of to many levies in too big an army?

Or was it the genius of Alexander and/or the very experienced group of generals and support staff at his disposal, along with the high moral, very effective fighting machine left to him via his father?

After reading about the 3 main battles between Alexander and the Persians I do feel maybe a lot of luck on the side of Alexander had a lot to do with it :-)

-Superior generalship
-Effective logistics (coast conquering to ensure he controlled all ports)
-More professional, well-drilled, and better equipped army
-Well-supported phalanx
-Powerful heavy cavalry arm

The main factor that contributed to Alexander conquering the Persians was his willingness to preserve the local ruling class and noblemen - they could remain important in the new realm, generally making room for the Macedonian influx rather than being replaced by them. This allowed the satrapies,walled cities, etc., to merely switch flags from Darius to Alexander without too much risk of being impoverished or killed by the new rulers. Also, don't forget Tyre. Tyre bet on their walls and greater strategic concerns requiring Alexander to leave before conquering them and ended up being thoroughly destroyed.

It's a classic pitch - on the one hand is the open hand of friendship and continued prosperity, in the other Alexander threatened with exceptionally brutal destruction and reprisal.

What I find more amazing than the Macedonian success on the battlefield is the fact that Alexander's victories won him wide swathes of the Persian empire without a difficult and time-consuming occupation and resistance. For that we can credit the Persian system of government, the recent political history of their civil wars, and Alexander's own well-considered political policies.

After all, if the western empire had been anything like the hard-fought morass that Baktria became for Alexander, he never would have made it as far as he did.

I'll leave the tactical discussion to a forum search or anyone who feels like weighing in. But I'll note that the Macedonians knew what they'd be facing, due to Greek mercenary and allied service in Persian territory (especially Athenians in Egypt, Xenophon).

I agree with MisterFred the recent civil wars did contribute to a large extent and the well crafted Persian system of government played well into the hands of Alexander.

Personally I doubt Alexander's generalship, some of his decisions seemed very reckless and some of his decisions show a lack of concern for his troops wellbeing.

I still think he was a very good general, but not the best antiquity ever produced.

Awwwww gee one could easily write a HUGE book on this subject.

Alcohol.

Ambition.

Women.

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Originally Posted by Megas Methuselah

Women.

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was he even into women? :clown:

Men. ;)

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Originally Posted by antisocialmunky

Men. ;)

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animals perhaps? that's the true evil. :clown:

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Originally Posted by Ibrahim

animals perhaps? that's the true evil. :clown:

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Alexander the Great Sexual Pervert.

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Originally Posted by Brennus

Alexander the Great Sexual Pervert.

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A very sick (man?)

Also he and his father one could say that with their engineers they "created" professional siege warfare...

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Originally Posted by chenkai11

A very sick (man?)

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is that questioning his gender , or species ??? :dizzy2:

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Originally Posted by mountaingoat

is that questioning his gender , or species ??? :dizzy2:

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We already know that Alexander was a Klingon.

Glory!!!

auto_win attacker.

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Originally Posted by Apázlinemjó

We already know that Alexander was a Klingon.

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That deserves a balloon!

:balloon2:

I think its a mix of 5 main factors:
1. The Macedonian Army: The Macedonians had several advantages over the Persians the most important of which was heavy infantry.
2. The Persian System of Government: The Achaemenid system was wonderfully engineered to be easy to control, however this had the effect of making it easy to control by Alexander.
3. Internal Persian Politics: The recent unrest in the empire had weakended it and Darius III was no Cyrus, he was not experienced in running such a large empire or commanding troops.
4. The experience of Greeks against the Persians in mercenary service.
5. Superior generalship from the Macedonians.

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Originally Posted by Brennus

Personally I doubt Alexander's generalship, some of his decisions seemed very reckless and some of his decisions show a lack of concern for his troops wellbeing.

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yep, I think he is overatted. whack bunch of levies with Papa's toy? that nothing, compared to many other antiquity general.

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Originally Posted by The Celtic Viking

auto_win attacker.

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I laughed out silently.

But who wouldn't submit to Collin Farrell?

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Originally Posted by Brennus

That deserves a balloon!

:balloon2:

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Thank you.