AE80: Alexander the Great and the Alexander Tradition

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AE80 Alexander the Great and the Alexander
Tradition
October 30, 2006 PART VI Alexander and the army
that conquered the world The logistics of
Alexanders campaigns
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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 Alexanders accomplishment, but he did not
transmit his secret to those who followed him.
C. Bradford Welles, Alexanders historical
achievement (1965, p. 228)
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The Gedrosian desert (Makran, southern Iran)
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Crossing the Hindu Kush
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Anatolian plateau of Turkey
Taurus Mountains
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Communications
How did Alexander stay in touch with Macedonia
and Greece from afar?
Traditional view Alexanders 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
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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/consumpt
ion 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.
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Some initial figures
After crossing the Hellespont into Turkey,
Alexanders 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
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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)
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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.
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Cliometrics quantitative history
Read the ancient historical sources
Derive best estimates of relevant variables
Work out quantitative implications
Make predictions, work out some expectations
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Some of Alexanders 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