Conclusion: âWe Are the Championsâ: the Underlying Reality of Ancient War

Edward M. Anson

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Chapter 22 Conclusion: âWe Are the Championsâ: the Underlying Reality of Ancient War

In: Brill's Companion to the Campaigns of Philip II and Alexander the Great

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Edward M. Anson

Edward M. Anson
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Type:: Chapter

Pages:: 579â603

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004715066_024

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Abstract

When comparing the list of war crimes compiled by the United Nations with the activities of Alexander the Great, Sabine MÃ¼ller, in this volume, has stated, âthe Macedonian rulers would have been notorious offenders.â Victor Hanson has compared Alexanderâs atrocities with those of Adolph Hitler. While the latter is a bit of an exaggeration, it is only so because the ancients lacked the technology to kill and destroy on such a massive scale. As has been remarked by Brian Bosworth, what limited the extent of massacres in the ancient world was the physical requirements to achieve them. Warfare was not simply a decisive way to settle disputes, it was the means of declaring the fundamental dominance of the aggressor over the victim. Violence and terror were often âwhat the weak had to suffer.â War in the Greek world had a long history as an approved means of seeking revenge, pursuing glory, or in the words of Plato acquiring what one needed. Committing genocide through the annihilation of peoples or the enslaving of survivors, was the ultimate measure of triumph and superiority, the decisive proclamation by the Champions.

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Brill's Companion to the Campaigns of Philip II and Alexander the Great

Series:Â Brill's Companions to Classical Studies, Volume: 10Â andÂ Brill's Companions to Classical Studies: Warfare in the Ancient Mediterranean World, Volume: 10

E-Book ISBN:: 9789004715066

Publisher:: Brill

Print Publication Date:: 13 Dec 2024

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Front Matter

Part 1 The Combat and Campaigns of Philip and Alexander

Part 2 The Combatants

Part 3 Organization and Structure

Part 4 Maintenance

Part 5 The Psychology of War

Part 6 Nature of Command

Part 7 The Human Cost of War

Part 8 In Closing

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Chapter 22 Conclusion: âWe Are the Championsâ: the Underlying Reality of Ancient War

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Brill's Companion to the Campaigns of Philip II and Alexander the Great

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Chapter 22 Conclusion: âWe Are the Championsâ: the Underlying Reality of Ancient War