title: By the Spear: Philip II, Alexander the Great, and the Rise and Fall of the Macedonian Empire (Ancient Warfare and Civilization)
author:  Ian Worthington 
description: <br />"A steady stream of fascinating stories of brilliant military tactics interspersed with rampant post-Classical gore. From the slaughter of whole villages to unbridled violations of human dignity, <em>By the Spear</em> reminds us of the ugliness of war, especially when military leaders are apparently void of morality filters... <em>By the Spear</em> is loaded with compelling details...but they aren't simply piled on helter-skelter; rather, they are embedded in Ian Worthington's coherent narrative about Macedonian ascendancy in the 4th century BC. This celebrated professor at the University of Missouri convincingly gives Philip II his due in Hellenism's spread, and masks not his thesis that Philip 'has lived too long in Alexander's shadow'." --<em>Books &amp; Culture</em> <br />
zlib_text: # ALEXANDER THE GREAT
  
  ###  _A Life From Beginning To End_
  
    
  
  © 2016 Copyright
  
  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or
  mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without
  permission in writing from the author.
  
  
  Table of Contents
  
  [Alexander and the Happiness of Horses](text00002.html#sigil_toc_id_1)
  
  [Aristotle and the First Day of School](text00003.html#sigil_toc_id_2)
  
  [Philip’s Family Drama](text00004.html#sigil_toc_id_3)
  
  [Enemies and Friends](text00005.html#sigil_toc_id_4)
  
  [The Real Battle Begins](text00006.html#sigil_toc_id_5)
  
  [Changing Tides](text00007.html#sigil_toc_id_6)
  
  [Signs and Wonders](text00008.html#sigil_toc_id_7)
  
  [In Pursuit of Darius](text00009.html#sigil_toc_id_8)
  
  [Historical Autopsy](text00010.html#sigil_toc_id_9)
  
  
  ## Introduction
  
  # Alexander and the Happiness of Horses  
  
  Alexander, the son of the Macedonian King Philip II, was born in the year 356
  BCE. The day that the King received word of Al