Don't use Hammond. Just don't :)

Thanks, Jalena. Is that based on your own research or are you passing that on from Vojislav. Either way, I'll be interested to hear more when you can.

Right now, I'm reviewing a paper I wrote many years ago on the assassination of Alexander's father, Philip. Back when I wrote my thesis, my attitude was to rely more on the ancient accounts than current arguments about the location and geography of the battle sites. That was because more than 2000 years have passed since the battles, and land can change a lot over that time. I know the course of the Granicus has shifted. And the ancient port of Ephesus has risen and moved inland.

That's why I was asking in particular about archaeological and geographical survey results.

Well, most of my knowledge comes from the classes of Vojislav I attended, and as much as I remember, Hammond is extremely biased. Try the work of Manolis Andronikos (the archaeologist who dug up Aigae-Vergina.) His books are available in English and he is quite praised for objective, meticulous scholarship. Yet, take consideration that his work is mostly published in the 60's and 70's. Though the main topic isn't exactly battle grounds, you can get a solid background of the Macedonian royal society. As for the battle sites themselves, I will try to find something for you, I will do at least a summary translation if the paper is done in Macedonian.

A

Jelena, thanks for your efforts, but please don't put yourself out for this. You have a PhD to complete, while I can take my time. I currently have over 130 articles and several books to go over, covering historiography, military units, the cavalry sarissa, logistics, the actual battles, etc.

Sorry, Jelena, hit the wrong Add button. When I was doing my degree Hammond was well respected, which is not meant to pick a fight. I know of Andronikos' work as well, particularly at Aigae-Vergina. And I know that back then there was controversy about his work as well. Especially, over whether he found Philip II's remains or not. I have not looked into where current scholarship is on that point.

The fact is all scholars are biased to some extent, which was why I always put a lot of weight on looking at the sources.

If you happen to come upon something useful, that would be great, but put your own work first. And remember I'll be travelling shortly for several weeks.

In the meantime, to avoid duplications, below is a reading list of works (not complete), that I have gathered to have a look at, so far.

Books

J. G. P. Best, Thracian Peltasts and their influence on Greek Warfare, (Groningen

1969)

Bosworth, A.B., Conquest and empire (Cambridge 1988).

Engels, D. W., Alexander the Great and the logistics of the Macedonian army (Berkeley 1978) 194p.

Fuller, J.F.C., The generalship of Alexander the Great (London 1958) 319p.

Hammond, N. G. L., Three Historians of Alexander the Great: The So-Called Vulgate Authors, Diodorus, Justin and Curtius, Cambridge, CUP, 1983

Hammond, N. G. L. and Griffith, G. T., A History of Macedonia ii (Oxford, 1979).

Marsden, E.W., The campaign of Gaugamela (Liverpool 1964).

Nikolitsis, Nikos Th, The Battle of the Granicus 1974, Skrifter utgivna av Svenska institutet i Athen,

Pearson, L The Lost Histories of Alexander the Great (Philological Monographs 20; New York, 1960).

Thompson, Michael, Granicus 334 BC Osprey Publishing

Journal Articles

Anson, E.M., 'Alexander's hypaspists and the argyraspids' in: Historia 30 (1981) 117-120.

Badian, E., “Alexander at Peucelaotis”, The Classical Quarterly, New Series, Vol. 37, No. 1 (1987), pp. 117-128

Badian, E., “The Death of Parmenio”, Transactions and proceedings of the American Philological Association 91, 1960, 324-38

Badian, E., 'Orientals in Alexander's army' in: JHS 85 (1965) 160-161.

Badian, E., `A King's Notebooks', HSCP 72 (1968) 183-204.

Badian, E., 'The Eunuch Bagoas: A Study in Method', CQ 8 (1958) 144-57.

Badian, E., Harpalus, JHS 81, 1961,16-43

Badian, E, "The Death of Philip II", Phoenix, Vol. 17, 1963, pp. 244 - 250

Balsdon, J. P. V. D., 'The "Divinity" of Alexander', Historia I (1950) 363-88.

Blanck, Daren, “Will the Real Alexander the Great Please Step Forward?”, The Hellenistic World and Rome, University of Iowa GIS History 16E:107, July 24, 2006

Bosworth, A. B., “Alexander and the Iranians”, Journal of Hellenic Studies, Vol. 100, (1980), pp. 1-21

Bosworth, A. B., Alexander the Great and the Decline of Macedon, JHS 106,1986,

1-12

Bosworth, A. B., Asthetairoi, CQ 23, 1973,245-53

Bosworth, A. B., “ Philip II and Upper Macedonia” CQ 27 (1977), pp. 93 – 105

Bosworth, A. B., 'The Death of Alexander the Great: Rumour and Propaganda', CQ21 (1971) 112-36.

'Arrian's Literary Development', CQ 22 (1972) 163-85.

`Arrian and the Alani', HSCP 81 (1977) 217-55.

`Arrian at the Caspian Gates: A Study in Methodology', CQ 33 (1983) 265-76.

Bowersock, G. W., 'A New Inscription of Arrian', GRBS 8 (1967) 279-80.

Brown, T. S., `Callisthenes and Alexander', AJP 70 (1 949) 225-48.

Brown, T. S., 'Alexander's Book Order (Plut. Alex. 8)', Historia 16 (1967) 359-68.

Brunt, P. A . , 'Stoicism and the Principate', PBSR 30 (1975) 7-35.

`From Epictetus to Arrian', Athenaeum 55 ( 1977) 19-48.

`On historical Fragments and Epitomes', CQ3o (1980) 477-94.

Brunt, P.A., 'Alexander's Macedonian cavalry' in: JHS 83 (1963) 27-46.

Buckler, J., 'Epameinondas and the embolon' in: Phoenix 39 (1985) 134-143.

Burn, A.R., 'The generalship of Alexander the Great' in: Greece and Rome 12 (1965) 140-154.

Burn, A.R., Notes on Alexander's Campaigns, 332-3,30, JHS11, 1952, 81-91

Cartledge, P.A., 'Hoplites and heroes: Sparta's contribution to the technique of ancient warfare' in: JHS 97 (1977) 11-27.

E Carney, E, “The Politics of Polygamy: Olympias, Alexander and the Murder of Philip”, Historia, 1992

Cawkwell, G.L., 'Orthodoxy and hoplites' in: Classical Quarterly 39 (1989) 375-389.

Devine, A.M., 'Grand tactics at Gaugamela' in: Phoenix 29 (1975) 374-385.

Devine, A.M., 'Embolon: a study in tactical terminology' in: Phoenix 37 (1983) 201-217.

Devine, A. M, “Demythologizing the Battle of the Granicus”, Phoenix, 1986, Volume 40, Issue 3, pp. 265 - 278

Doenges, N.A., 'The campaign and battle of Marathon' in: Historia 47 (1998), 1-17.

Edmunds, L 'The Religiosity of Alexander', GRBS 12 (1971) 363-91.

Ellis, J.R., 'Alexander's hypaspists again' in: Historia 24 (1975) 617-618.

Ellis, J. R., " Amyntas Perdikka, Philip II and Alexander the Great", JHS 91 (1971), 15-24.

Engels, D., 'Alexander's intelligence system' in: CQ 30 (1980) 327-340.

Fears, J. R., “Pausanias, the Assassin of Philip”, Atheneum Vol. 53, 1975, pp. 111 – 135.

Fears, J. R., The Stoic View of the Career and Character of Alexander the Great', Philologus 118 (1974) 113-30.

Fredricksmeyer, EA, “Alexander and Philip: Emulation and resentment”, - The Classical Journal, 1990

Green, P, The Alexandanabasis; Arion, 1998

Griffith, G.T., 'Alexander's generalship at Gaugamela' in: JHS 67 (1947) 77-89.

Griffith, G. T., “A Note on the Hipparchies of Alexander”, Journal of Hellenic Studies, Vol. 83 (1963), pp. 68-74

Hamilton, J.R., 'The cavalry battle at the Hydaspes' in: JHS 76 (1956) 26-31.

Hamilton, J. R., Three Passages in Arrian, CQ 5, 1955,217-21

Hamilton, J. R `Alexander and the Aral', CQ2I (1971) to6-11.

'Cleitarchus and Aristobulus', Historia 10 (1961) 448-58.

Hammond, NGL, “The sources of Justin on Macedonia to the death of Philip”, The Classical Quarterly, 1991

Hammond, NGL, Arms and the King: The Insignia of Alexander the Great; Phoenix, 1989 –

Hammond, NGL, Diodorus Siculus XVII; Classical Review, 1978 -

Hammond, NGL, Aspects of Alexander's Journal and Ring in his last Days, The American Journal of Philology, 1989 -

Hammond, NGL, Vivid Tenses in Arrian 1. 16, Historia: Zeitschrift fur Alte Geschichte, 1997 -

Hammond, NGL, The speeches in Arrian's Indica and Anabasis, The Classical Quarterly, 1999 -

Hammond, N. G. L “Alexander at the Granicus River Nikos Th. Nikolitsis: The Battle of the Granicus. Pp. xvii + 79; 15 figs, 1 diagram, 5 maps. Stockholm, 1974. Paper, kr. 50” The Classical Review, 1976, Volume 26, Issue 2, pp. 235 - 236

Hammond, N.G.L., 'The battle of the Granicus river' in: JHS 100 (1980) 73-88.

Hammond, N.G.L., 'Casualties and reinforcements of citizen soldiers in Greece and Macedonia' in: JHS 109 (1989) 56-68.

Hammond, N.G.L., 'The various guards of Philip II and Alexander III' in: Historia 40 (1991) 396-418.

Hammond, N.G.L., 'Alexander's charge at the battle of Issus in 333 BC' in: Historia 41 (1992) 395-406.

Hammond, N.G.L., 'The meaning of Arrian, Anabasis 7.9.5' in: JHS 119 (1999), 166-168.

N. G. L. Hammond, Some Passages in Arrian concerning Alexander, CQ 30, 1980,

73-88

N. G. L. Hammond, Cavalry Recruited in Macedonian Down to 322 B.C., Historia

47,1998,404-425

Hanson, V.D., 'Epameinondas, the battle of Leuktra (371 BC) and the 'revolution' in Greek battle tactics' in: CA 7 (1988) 190-207.

Harrison, C.M., 'Triremes at rest: on the beach or in the water?' in: JHS 119 (1999), 168-171.

Heckel, W., 'The somatophylakes of Alexander the Great: some thoughts' in: Historia 27 (1978), 224-228.

Holladay, A.J., 'Hoplites and heresies' in: JHS 102 (1982) 94-103.

Judeich, W., Die Schlacht am Granikos, Klio 8,1908, 372-97

Krentz, P., 'The nature of hoplite battle' in: Classical Antiquity 4 (1985) 50-61.

Krentz, P., 'Casualties in hoplite battles' in: GRBS 26 (1985) 13-20.

Kuskowski, Ada-Mariam, “Whodunit? The Murder of Philip of Macedon”, Hirundo: The McGill Journal of Classical Studies, Vol. I: 23 – 37, Fall 2001.

Lazenby, J.F. en D. Whitehead, 'The myth of the hoplite's hoplon' in: CQ 46 (1996) 27-33.

Lock, R.A., 'The origins of the argyraspids' in: Historia 26 (1977) 373-378.

Luginbill, R.D., 'Othismos: the importance of the mass-shove in hoplite warfare' in: Phoenix 48 (1994) 51-61.

P. A. Manti, The Cavalry Sarissa, Ancient World 8, 1983, 73-80

P. A. Manti, The Sarissa of the Macedonian Infantry, Ancient World 23.2, 1992, 31-42

P. A. Manti, The Macedonian Sarissa, again, Ancient World25.\, 1994, 77-91

218

Markle III, M.M., 'The Macedonian sarissa, spear and related armor' in: AJA 81 (1977) 323-339.

Markle III, M.M., 'Use of the sarissa by Philip and Alexander of Macedon' in: AJA 82 (1978) 483-497.

Markle III, M.M., 'Macedonian arms and tactics under Alexander the Great' in: B. Barr-Sharrar (ed.), Macedonia and Greece in late classical and early Hellenistic times (Washington 1982), 87-111.

McCoy, W. J, “Memnon of Rhodes at the Granicus” The American Journal of Philology, 1989, Volume 110, Issue 3, pp. 413 - 433

McGroarty, Kieran, “Did Alexander the Great read Xenophon?", December 2006, Hermathena;Winter2006, Issue 181, p105

Milns, R.D., 'Alexander's Macedonian cavalry and Diodorus XVII 17.4' in: JHS 86 (1966) 167-168.

Milns, R.D., 'Alexander's seventh phalanx battalion' in: GRBS 7 (1966) 159-166.

Milns, R.D., 'The hypaspists of Alexander III - some problems' in: Historia 20 (1971) 186-195.

R. D. Milns, Philip II and the Hypaspists, Historia 16, 1967, 509-12

Milns, R.D., 'The army of Alexander the Great' in: Fondations Hardt 22 (1976), 87-136.

Milns, R.D., 'Asthippoi again' in: Classical Quarterly 31 (1981) 347-354.

J. R. Mixter, The Length of the Macedonian Sarissa During the Reigns of Philip II and Alexander the Great, Ancient World 23.2, 1992, 21-29

J. R. Mixter, “Alexander's feint attack: A reappraisal”, Military History, 1997, Volume 14, Issue 5, p. 54

J. R. Mixter, “Alexander's First Great Victory” by John R Mixter, Military History, 1997, Volume 14, Issue 5, p. 50

Narain, A. K., “Alexander and India” Greece & Rome, Second Series, Vol. 12, No. 2, Alexander the Great (Oct., 1965), pp.155-165

Neumann, C., “A Note on Alexander's March-Rates”, Historia: Zeitschrift für Alte Geschichte, Bd. 20, H. 2/3 (2nd Qtr., 1971), pp. 196-198

Pearson, L 'The Diary and the Letters of Alexander the Great', Historia 3 (1954/5) 429-39.

Richmond, J.A., 'Spies in ancient Greece' in: Greece and Rome 45 (1998), 1-18.

Riginos, A S, “The wounding of Philip II of Macedon: fact and fabrication”, Journal of Hellenic Studies, 1994

Rorsman, J 'Ptolemy and his Rivals in his History of Alexander the Great', CQ 34 (198 4) 373-85.

Rosen, K 'Political Documents in Hieronymus of Cardia', Acta Classica 10 (1967) 41-94.

Samuel V ,. A. E 'Alexander's Royal Journals', Historia (1965) t-t 2.

Schepens, G., `Arrian's View of his Task as Alexander-historian', Ancient Society 2 (1970 254-68.

Skilton, Amalia, “The Death of Philip of Macedon”, The Concord Review, Vol 19, No. 3, 2008/09, pp. 57 – 96, http://tcr.org/tcr/essays/EPrize_Phillip%20of%20Macedon%2019-3.pdf

Smith, Rowland B. E., “A Lost Historian of Alexander 'Descended from Alexander', and Read by Stadter, P. A., `Flavius Arrianus: the new Xenophon', GRBS 8 (1967) 155-61.

`Xenophon in Arrian's Cynegeticus' , GRBS r7 (1976) 157-67.

`The Ars Tactica of Arrian: Tradition and Originality', CP 73 (1978) 117-28.

Syme, R `The Career of Arrian', HSCP 86 (1982) 181-21 I.

Julian? Praxagoras of Athens Reviewed in the Light of Attic Epigraphy”, Historia: Zeitschrift für Alte Geschichte, Bd. 56, H. 3 (2007), pp. 356-380

Unz, RK, “Alexander's Brothers?”, The Journal of Hellenic Studies, 1985

Vassileva, Maya, “Achaemenid Interfaces: Thracian and Anatolian representations of elite status”

Wees, H. van, 'The Homeric way of war: the Iliad and the hoplite phalanx (I)' in: Greece and Rome 41 (1994) 1-18.

Wees, H. van, 'The Homeric way of war: the Iliad and the hoplite phalanx (II)' in: Greece and Rome 41 (1994) 131-155.

Welles, C. B., 'The Discovery of Sarapis and the Foundation of Alexandria' , Historia I I ( 1962) 271-98.

Wheeler, E. L - 'The Occasion of Arrian's Tactica', GRBS 19 (1978) 351-65.

I know Hammond was respected and still is. As for Andronikos, the latest scholarship does make his attribution of the charred remains to Philip II dubious. One should take into consideration that the deformities of the bones can come also of the cremation. Its good to review old theories once in a while :) The biblo list you have complied is quite impressive, I will look into it later. I will be happy to contribute with new entries. Completely offhand, did you try Google Earth to scan the locations of the battles and its vicinity? It might give some results, I know that one of the professors here who is into landscape archaeology made some nice shots of hilltop fortifications. It will be more demanding with a battle field due to the lack of physical evidence, but I think its worth a shot.

Thanks for the update on Andronikos. I think I've heard something similar, previously. So, it appears that there has been no change on that. Sad, in a way, as it would have been exciting to think they had found Philip II's remains. A bit like when I visited Augustus's now dilapidated mausoleum in Rome, a few years ago. As to your second point, yes, I have tried Google Earth a couple of times for the Granicus, but have not found anything of use so far.

I think it is still held that Philip II is buried there. Despite the bone remains, may other artefacts still suggest it was a burial worthy of a king, not one of the princes. And Aigai was the ritual centre of the Macedonian Empire, I just don't see why NOT to bury him there. Common logic versus science :)

I agree.

Hi Kathleen, are you interested only in the battle sites, or in Alexander the Great generally. In 2008 took part in the excavation of a fortress which was almost certainly built by Alexander, far out in Uzbekistan (Ancient Bactria). The book should be published anytime now, but will be in Russian. There are a few popular notes on the site (including some by myself), but mostly in German.

Hi Nikolaus, for now I am focusing on the following.

A review of the scholarship since I wrote my thesis on Alexander's Battle Tactics more than 30 years ago.

An re-examination of how Alexander's army, particularly the phalanx and the Companions, functioned in combat, together with an examination of how the Persian army functioned, and military roles in Greece and its neighbours prior to the rise of Philip and Alexander.

And then a re-examination of Alexander's generalship, starting with the major battles.

Depending on how that goes, I may then look to develop a broader picture of his campaigns and its goals, including the sieges, the campaigns of his subordinates, and the consolidation of territory. But right now, they are simply ideas in the back of my mind, and I have a number of competing interests running at the same time.

So, for now, I would just be grateful for a brief overview of what you and your colleagues found for future reference when you can spare the time. I'd be interested to know, for instance, who manned the fort; e.g. the proportion of local troops to Macedonian veterans and/or allied troop veterans, as a measure of the degree of cultural assimilation that Alexander did appear to be working towards. Also, how long did the fort continue to be occupied, and by whom, after his death.

Unfortunately, I have no knowledge of Russian, and very limited German, though my partner is fluent in that. Which is a pity, because your own work looks interesting, and I will try to have a look at your climate change work at some time.

Hi Kathleen, Just very briefly - the fort excavated by Leonid Sverchkov (he was the head of the team) lies in southern Uzbekistan, most probably the region where Alexander met Roxana. Written sources state that he founded several forts to cover the rear of his army while moving on to capture Marakanda (modern Samarkand). The site of the fort is named "Kurganzol" and consists of rather a small fortress - according to dendrochronological dating built in 329/328 BC, i.e. at the time of Alexander´s campaign in Bactria. Most of the archaeological material discovered is of Greek type, but there is some hand-made pottery, probably of local population.

Furthermore, our (German Archaeological Institute, Berlin) archaeozoologist found that horses were eaten, which is not usual for Greeks, but would fit well with local populations, and with the written sources, which state that auxiliary troops were recruited, e.g. from the Massgetae. A village, presumably of local population, existed for some time nearby, but was mostly destroyed without excavation.

The fort was attacked at least once (traces of fire in some of the towers and repairs of a wall section) but clearly survived the attack. It does not appear to have been in use for very long, but was eventually left peacefully. People again lived on the site briefly much later, probably in the 2nd century BC, but the fortification already lay in ruins at that time.

Unfortunately we have no inscriptions, so all the information is purely archaeological.

I attach here a first preliminary report (of the first quarter - the site was later excavated completely) in English published in the Journal "Ancient Civilizations from Scythia to Siberia", but PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DATING WAS CORRECTED LATER (in the Russian book, which is in print or has just appeared) - in fact there are only two phases: the one from the time of Alexander, and the one in the 2nd Century BC.

Thanks, Nikolaus. I'm grateful for both the article and the information you've put together. I have downloaded the pdf and copied your comments, and filed both away on my computer for future reference. Though as I said, I can't say just when, but will try to remember to let you know when I do.

Brian Rose, Univ. of Pennsylvania conducted a survey of the Granicus area in the early 2000s. Prelim reports in the AST, published by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism

Thanks, Jim. I know of Brian Rose's survey, and contacting him is on my "to do" list, though I am not sure whether his survey will have included issues that I am interested in, such as changes to the course of the river and (preferably datable) battle artefact deposits such as arrowheads, that might help identify the site, and course, of the battle. (As has been done at the Little Big Horn.) Unlikely, I know.

I have had a look at the Turkish Ministry of Culture site, but no luck so far. But will try to broaden my search parameters,

I believe part of the survey (at least with the planning phases) involved geomorphological studies to check the ancient river course.

Thanks again, Jim. Have just sent off a request to Prof. Brian Rose in hope that he'll be able to be of help. Fingers crossed.

Jim Newhard

Should have written this a long time ago, but wanted to let you know that I did eventually obtain a copy of Brian Rose's survey through interlibrary loan. Unfortunately, it only give a brief comment on the battle site issue that simply confirmed that the river course has had a significant shift in course since the time of Alexander. No reference to any relevant archaeological finds like arrowheads or other weapons. Which means we must still rely on the written accounts for ant information on the topology of the battle site. Will be posting more here and elsewhere as I commence posting my original thesis on RG.

although I've used geomorphological studies myself to fix estate boundaries I'm not sure that they are of much value in reconstructing the course of battles, details such as the steepness of a slope, how a river was behaving on a day or the nature of footing can only really be determined from the written accounts since geomorphology is poor at reproducing the fine details needed, the only time I have found these valuable is in constraining the overall size of the battlefield as has been attempted at Hastings

While I agree with you generally, Timothy, topology is an important factor in Alexander’s first two major battles. A number of ‘modern’ scholars have argued their case based to a significant part on the river course as they found it in modern times. And then there is the argument about whether or not the river has changed course since the battle. And because they have been raised, these issues need to be addressed. Modern archaeology, including the use of metal detectors, has recently led to a major revision of the course of the battle of the Little Big Horn. The 2004/5 survey of the Granicus River Valley has not been nearly as helpful. However, while the battle was only a minor point in their overall focus, they have made some important findings. Specifically: That “the battle could not have taken place in the area to which it is traditionally assigned, and the actual location must have been further to the south”. Also, the “(Granicus) stream bed was deliberately changed in the 1890s” due to flooding issues, so that “the stream bed was redirected towards the west and a straighter line to the sea was created. None of this appears to have been incorporated into recent scholarship on the topography of the battle.” If someone know of any more recent survey work done in this area, or similar invsetigations into the identification of the Issus river, I’d be interested to hear from you, preferably with full publication details.

Id be very interesed to know have you come across anything to do with him coming to Ireland. VIts alleged that he came to Ireland between wars for a break, stayed at a cell in Newry (Lowry, History of Belfast 1902, Newry Section), trying to find her source and perhaps others. ery interesting topic that you are covering here Kathelen, I shall be following with keen interest. Thank you

Hello Oliver,

If indeed there was such a journey, Alexander himself would have given some information to those writing his story. He had plans to travel west to many destinations from what information came his way, but I have seen no mention of the location of Ireland.

Hello Dr. Kathleen Toohey,

I am sure you are aware of the plethora of new youtube videos about Alexander's battles. They are in cartoon form, but also show evidence of digital information obtained from google maps (?)

I wonder if they base their data on new information. They are very informative and complement the text narrative of the battles. I enjoy viewing these.

Historian E. Branopoulos's books on touring Pakistan, Iran and Syria have detailed descriptions "following Alexander's footsteps", including big battles and smaller battles, such as the Swat Valley in Pakistan. These books from the 1970's are in Greek.

اقوى معركة معركة اربيئلا في منطقة اربيل شمال العراق التي داؤت بين جيش الاسكندر الكبير وجيش دارا الاخميني التي انتهت المعركة بانتصار التسكندر ابكبير ...