Chapter 18 Relationship of King and Army
In: Brill's Companion to the Campaigns of Philip II and Alexander the GreatSearch for other papers by Carol J. King in
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Abstract
This chapter begins with a discussion of the nature of Macedonian kingship prior to Philip II; the king, as suggested on early coinage, is a warrior figure, and, as indicated by textual evidence for Alexander I and II and Perdiccas II and III, is the commander of the army who leads from the front. It is against this background that Philip II’s approach to building an effectual standing army is best understood: his methods of recruitment and training, his means of boosting morale, and his role in strengthening army loyalty to the king, especially his elevation of foot alongside cavalry Companions. In addition to the traditions of hunting and banqueting as social aspects of the king/officer relationship, Philip’s camaraderie with his victorious army serves as a model for Alexander. However, Alexander’s relationship with the army evolves under a much different set of circumstances and is shaped not only by his eastern conquests but also by his personality. The Balkan campaign after Philip’s assassination serves to build genuine confidence in Alexander’s leadership abilities, both with Philip’s marshals and with the rank and file. After crossing to Asia, Alexander’s dependence on reliable generals, initially on Philip’s veterans, is critical to success in the three major battles with Darius’ forces, though this dependence is evidently downplayed by the king, as indicated in the sources. Thus, despite the army becoming more and more his own through his promotion of close Companions, unrest surfaces in various forms; of note, following the elimination of Parmenio and Philotas and the tumultuous/mutinous episodes in Hyrcania, at the Hyphasis (in which instance the army exerts its will over the king), and at Opis. In these and other circumstances disciplinary tactics are employed. The chapter will conclude with a brief look at Alexander’s incorporation of Persian forces into his Macedonian ranks and what this implies about his intended future relationship with a multi-ethnic army.