Alexander The Great: One Of The Most Aggressive Military Leaders In Human History

Alexander the Great is viewed as one of the most impressive military leaders in human history. Alexander's position of reverence was garnered through his impressive military strategies and leadership style. His military career began at a relatively young age. As his father King Phillip II introduced him to warfare through the battle of Chaeronea, where he was given charge of the cavalry during the assault, at the time he was 18 years old. His father, King Phillip II, was later assassinated leaving Alexander to fulfill his ambitions of invading Asia and conquering the Persians. His ascension to the throne and ensuing authority, was upheld through the quelling of a rebellion.
Alexander entered Asia Minor with a cautious mind, as he possessed an inferior fleet and tremulous finances; whilst Persia, while weakened, still held a strong army. These factors made his subsequent victory at the battle of Granicus a decisive blow to Asia, as he had reportedly lost only a meager 110 troops. As a result of the battle the remaining western half of Asia Minor submitted to his rule and he had liberated the Ionians from Persian control. Later on Alexander meet the Persian King, Darius III, in the battle of Issus in 333 B.C. The battlefields terrain leveled the playing field for Alexander, as the Persian forces did not
His victories garnered from military strategies were based on battlefield advantages and his enemy’s strengths and weaknesses coupled with his own limitations. His direct involvement in the battlefield also served to maintain his troops morale and loyalty through the majority of his campaign. Alexander's subsequent ruling system also served to keep most of his provinces from major revolts while not being directly in charge of such a vast kingdom. This sort of political shrewdness with ruling paired with his tactical intellect made him a well-respected