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AE80: Alexander the Great and the Alexander Tradition

AE80: Alexander the Great and the Alexander Tradition. October 30, 2006 PART VI: Alexander and the army that conquered the world The logistics of Alexander’s campaigns.

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AE80: Alexander the Great and the Alexander Tradition

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  1. AE80: Alexander the Great and the Alexander Tradition October 30, 2006 PART VI: Alexander and the army that conquered the world The logistics of Alexander’s campaigns

  2. Alexander was above all else a military genius, soldier, general, psychologist. Each battle was different. Each was fought as he wished. Each was decisive. Alexander never faltered or made mistakes. He won by manoeuvre, by the application of overwhelming force at the decisive point, by deception. Not only his own troops, but the enemy seems to have done precisely as he wished. This was Alexander’s accomplishment, but he did not transmit his secret to those who followed him. • [C. Bradford Welles, “Alexander’s historical achievement” (1965, p. 228)]

  3. The Gedrosian desert (Makran, southern Iran)

  4. Crossing the Hindu Kush

  5. Anatolian plateau of Turkey Taurus Mountains

  6. Communications • How did Alexander stay in touch with Macedonia and Greece from afar? • Traditional view: Alexander’s army was almost totally isolated and cut off • Actually, there are 300+ references in the sources to messages being sent or received Used the Persian Royal Road Courier system

  7. Logistics Donald Engels, Alexander the Great and the Logistics of the Macedonian Army (1978) • How did Alexander secure provisions for his army? • How was his strategy and timing affected by the availability/ acquisition/distribution/consumption rates of provisions, and by their transport? • Traditional view (e.g., W.W. Tarn): “supplies were collected in each district as conquered and used for the next advance” • Engels shows this to be quite incorrect: Problems involved in the marshalling, transportation and distribution of provisions, often in deserts and barren terrain, necessitated prodigious short- and long-term planning for the army to advance stage by stage.

  8. Some initial figures: • After crossing the Hellespont into Turkey, Alexander’s army consisted of about 48,100 soldiers and about 6,100 cavalry horses • Ancient sources suggest that the ratio of combatants to followers (‘batmen’, scouts, and — only later — a few wives and children) was about 3 to 1… thus adding about 16,000 more people to be fed • Similarly, one pack-animal for every ca. 50 people would be needed to carry gear such as tents, hammocks, blankets, fuel, personal items… …adding another 1,300 animals to be fed • Alexander used mules, horses, and (later) camels, but never donkeys, oxen, or ox-carts. A horse or mule can carry about 200 lbs, a camel about 300 lbs… … so Engels used 250 lb as the average carrying capacity

  9. Daily needs… 65,000 personnel will each need 3lbs grain + 1/2 gallon water = 195,000 + 325,000 lbs 6,100 cavalry horses will each need 10 lbs grain + 10 lbs straw or chaff + 8 gallons water = 61,000 + 61,000 + 488,000 lbs 1,300 baggage animals will each need 10 lbs grain + 10 lbs straw or chaff + 8 gallons water = 13,000 + 13,000 + 104,000 lbs SUBTOTAL = 1,260,000 lbs If each animal can carry about 250 lbs, the number required to carry provisions is: 1,260,000 / 250 = 8,400 8,400 provision-carrying animals will each need 10 lbs grain + 10 lbs forage + 8 gallons water = 84,000 + 84,000 + 672,000 lbs GRAND TOTAL WEIGHT OF PROVISIONS NEEDED FOR A 1-DAY MARCH = 2,100,000 lbs (938 tons)

  10. Engels’ main conclusion A general principle (valid for small and large expeditions alike): An army whose supplies are carried by animals and men cannot advance through desert where neither grain, fodder, or water is available for more than four full days (and then only on half rations). This is a conclusion that can be “tested” against the information we have about specific expeditions — e.g., the journey to the oracle at Siwah.

  11. “Cliometrics” [quantitative history] Read the ancient historical sources Derive best estimates of relevant variables Work out quantitative implications Make predictions, work out some expectations

  12. Some of Alexander’s solutions to logistical problems • Use naval transport wherever possible • Subdivision into smaller units for the winter months • Synchronization of advances with availability of food ahead • Advance organization • Army structure

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