Chapter 11 Money and Honor: Military Compensation in the Armies of Philip and Alexander

In: Brill's Companion to the Campaigns of Philip II and Alexander the Great
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Alexander Meeus
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Abstract

The spectacular military successes of Philip and Alexander of Macedon depended in no small measure on the loyalty and obedience of their troops, who were prepared to endure great hardship and even march almost to the ends of the earth as they knew it. A crucial factor in securing the soldiers’ allegiance was the compensation they received in the form of regular pay, plunder, bonuses as well as marks of honor and distinction; on many occasions the non-material ones appear at least as important as the material ones. Although the sources are often lacking in important detail, the broad outlines of a highly complex system of rewards and honors graduated by unit, rank and merit can be reconstructed.

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