Volume 1 of the series From Alexander to Adrianople 3000 BCE-400 CE provides a comprehensive overview of the army with which Alexander the Great conquered the Persian Empire. The book describes in detail the organisation, equipment, appearance, training and tactics of the Macedonian core units, the Greek and Balkan allies and mercenaries, and the Asian subjects of the Alexandrian army. The first chapters deal with the main components of the army, with a particular focus on the pike-armed phalanx, which formed the core of all Macedonian armies. But Alexander's army was a balanced, combined force, and the importance of the supporting units of light infantry and cavalry, provided largely by Macedonia's subjugated states and allies, is also highlighted. The following chapters examine the army in action, covering topics ranging from pay and conditions of service to marching speeds and reconnaissance. Finally, each of the army's major battles is analysed so that its tactics can be viewed in context. The comprehensive text is supplemented by illustrations of ancient artworks and artefacts, as well as maps and diagrams of the campaigns and battles, and specially commissioned illustrations. The book is based on the latest scholarly research and contains detailed references to ancient sources, but is written for a wide audience. The Army of Alexander the Great is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the military history of the ancient world.
