Alexander and his Asians

[kenny]

Companions just a quick question. In the movie Alexander says he will go it alone with his Asians.I wonder how safe a bet that would be.Or once The Macedonians had gone would his Asians have cut his throat?How loyal were the Asians to Alexander.Kenny

[agesilaos]

The few Asian troops Alexander used seem to have remained totally loyal which is not too surprising, the Asians were conditioned to obeying the office of King rather than looking on him as an equal. However, Alexander did not and never intended to have a totally Asian army it was a threat to belittle the mutineers that is all.

[Nicator]

It's a good question. After Alexander dismissed, with full pensions, the lions share of his veterans from Susa (Opis?) he surely felt a twinge of vulnerability as far more left than he likely anticipated. He had his 30,000 successors, but his best troops, battle hardened and experienced, were gone. He was forced to mix archers, javelin men, and slingers into his phalanx, surely a recipe for disaster. It seemed his veterans had the last laugh as they headed for home...though a year later, they were ,no doubt sullenly, still tramping around Asia. As a counter-question, had Alexander survived, would he have gone to war against his own veterans under Antipater? later Nicator

[kenny]

Nick with your question do you assume there was a decisive split in the Macedonian Kingdom.Antipater the Generals Cassander etc and would they have had the balls to take him. Who else would Antipater rely on as Alleis.Who would the southern Greeks fall behing.Its really quite a quagmire.Harpalas money etc. The Greeks and Macedonians case would be strong.Where would Alexanders companions loyalty lie?.
Perdicas Nearchus,Ptolemy Seucus are we talking Caesar Ptolemy Mark Anthony affair.Nick your question has too much meat.But for me Alexander had the money enough loyalty and ampmle trained soldiers to do the job indeed soldiers that did love him.The real question was Alexander as great as wee thing to sort that one out I believe indeed.Kenny

[Paralus]

Absolutely. No question. Had Antipater the ticker though?I firmly believe Antipater was summoned to Babylon to be "relieved" (murdered) - something he well knew. Nicator, another counter question: would the "Silver Shields" have taken the field against their King??
Paralus