Skill at arms: Professionalism in the army of Alexander the Great

Abstract

"No tools will make a man a skilled workman, or master of defence, nor be of any use to him who has not learned how to handle them, and has never bestowed any attention upon them. How then will he who takes up a shield or other implement of war become a good fighter all in a day, whether with heavy-armed or any other kind of troops?" -- Attributed to Sokrates in Plato's 'Republic'. Alexander the Great's forces were a good example of the above ideal. After Philip's reforms, the Macedonian army had become a truly professional force; by the time Alexander inherited them they were also highly experienced in the art of making war. Alexander's army can best be described as a diverse force containing almost every category of troop that was available at the time, from peltast to heavy infantry and from light reconnaissance cavalry to heavy cavalry. The diverse nature of this force combined with its experience and training ensured that it was able to achieve victory under many varied conditions and against all manner of opponents, ranging from Greek hoplites to Persian cavalry, scythed chariots and elephants.