“What a horse they waste, for want of spirit to contain him.”
–Twelve-year-old Alexander, on first encountering Bucephalus
Remember our description of Spartan combat? The phalanx that clashed shield-to-shield with its enemies across an open plain and slugged it out, rank against rank?
Alexander’s army was like Star Wars compared to that. All credit goes to Alexander’s father, Philip, who invented (or perfected) the concepts of the sarissa phalanx with its eighteen-foot pike, the oblique order, the use of heavy cavalry, and many, many more innovations.
But the key point for us, studying the Warrior Archetype, is how Alexander himself led this new machine of war.
First, a story from Alexander’s boyhood:
When Alexander was twelve, a company of horse traders came to Macedonia, to his father Philip’s court, selling champion warhorses, All the princes trooped down to the plain to see these prized specimens put through their paces. One massive black stallion stood out above all others for power and spirit, but he was so wild he would not even let any rider mount him. Philip and the nobles chose not even to bid on him.
The boy Alexander spoke up. “What a horse they waste, for want of spirit to ride him.” The king and his princes laughed. “And what will you give,” Philip asked his son, “to purchase this uncontrollable beast?”
“All I own,” said the boy, “of my inheritance and my share of the kingdom.”
So, the traders brought the horse back for Alexander to try.
Now Alexander had noticed something no one else had … that the horse—named Bucephalus, “Ox-head”—tended to spook at his own shadow. So, before mounting, Alexander turned the animal into the sun, while speaking gently to him to calm him.
When he was ready, the boy leapt into the saddle and took off at the full gallop around the course.
Philip and his nobles watched in terror, certain that the young prince could not stay on the back of this wild creature. They were in a panic that he would be thrown or trampled.
But Alexander rode Bucephalus as if he had been born on his back. When the boy reined-in at the finish of the course, Philip embraced him with tears in his eyes.
“Look you out for a kingdom greater than ours, my son,” he said. “For surely Macedonia is too small for you.”
I tell this story here not just because it’s fun (and may even by largely true) but to illustrate how Alexander embodied in his actions and his person the Warrior Archetype.
The set-piece battles that Alexander and his army fought—the great clashes at the Granicus River, Issus, Gaugamela, and many others—followed a uniform pattern. The army’s front—the sarissa infantry–would advance upon the enemy, often using feints and misdirection as the contending forces approached each other. But the critical move always came with the charge of Alexander’s Companion Cavalry—sixteen hundred horsemen in eight squadrons. Their rush would target one specific point, often the foe’s most elite unit, in the enemy’s line, seeking to break through and throw the adversary’s ranks into confusion.
Who rode at the forefront of this charge?
It was always Alexander, in person, mounted upon Bucephalus. He wore burnished armor and a distinctive double-plumed helmet that could be seen across the entire field.
In other words, Alexander led from the front.
He believed (and bet his life on it again and again) that when his men saw their king charging without fear into the teeth of the enemy, they would be compelled by their own hearts and their love for him to follow.
It worked.
But let’s get back to our prior thoughts on the King Archetype inside our own psyches, and the Warrior Archetype contained within it.
Can you and I live our lives according to Alexander’s principle?
When we must decide, when we must act, when physical or moral or spiritual issues confront us, can we find our “king?” Can we find our warrior?
Can we lead ourselves the way Alexander led his army?
P.S. Alexander rode Bucephalus in every fight in which he contended on horseback. When Bucephalus died, of wounds, in the battle of the Hydaspes River in India, he was thirty years old.
To honor his brilliant friend, Alexander founded a city which he named Bucephala. It is believed to be the modern Jhelum in Pakistan.
It’s intriguing, isn’t it, that of all creatures, we humans seem to have the closest relationships with dogs… and horses? This passage from Chapter 21 of Steve’s “The Afghan Campaign” has always been a favorite, Matthias speaking of his feelings for his mare, Chione:
***
I love my horse. She’s a Nisaean mare – milk-colored, with a brand on her right quarter in the shape of a panther. Her name is Chione, “Snow.” She cost three silver talents when her original rider acquired her in Media. I got her for half. A steal. She’s nine years old and boasts more wounds than Alexander. Her conformation is only ordinary, though she has a strong neck, long legs, and a deep, powerful chest. She has quirks. She likes to be fed from a manger; she won’t touch hay, even oats, spread on the earth. She is spooked by anything white. She nips. She butts. She will not be hobbled. She is terrified of bees. She loves pears and will eat mulberries till she makes herself sick.
She is also a first-rate cavalry mount. Hare-quick from a standing start, she will hold a line like a carpenter’s rule and not balk at any trench, wall, or obstacle. She can gallop boot to boot without skippering – seeking to outpace her wing mounts – and in the wedge she turns like a swallow in a flock. I do not train her; she trains me. She is the finest horse I have ever owned and I love her as dearly as my own mother.
***
This narration, from the audiobook version narrated by John Lee: https://www.dropbox.com/s/7qclozzua8ar0oy/Snow.m4a?dl=0
***
Hope you all have lots to be grateful for on this Thanksgiving Day.
Being a leader means means you need to motivate your Marines/Soldiers/employees, and I think that’s best done when you believe – truly believe – in yourself and your mission.
A most interesting part of Steve’s story is young Alexander, age 12, betting his upcoming kingship and kingdom on being able to ride Bucephalus. Ego? Confidence? An interesting but theoretical question since Alexander earned the horse, and when that happens, it builds both his confidence and that of those around him. And that’s real leadership: throwing down a marker, making a commitment, and then following through. Or the example a few stories ago about Alexander refusing to drink in front of his thirsty soldiers; who wouldn’t follow a leader like that?
===// We’re here; we’re healthy; lots for which to be thankful today. My best to you all!
Back at you, Andrew.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! This blog is something that I’m very grateful.
bsn
Ditto.
Hear Hear!!
Great article, Steve. My admiration for Alexander grew. Who knew at 12 years of age he already had such spirit and leadership? At 12 I was still playing with GI Joes and watching wrestling on Saturdays. Impressive.
A MAGNIFICENT story of Love, Truth and
The Highest Principles and Integrity!
Happy Healthy Thanks Giving….to everyone…
with Gratitude*+*
Steve,
I love stories of how the individual emerged in a spiritual sense at the age of 12. In Christian lore, Jesus is said to have spoken to his parents with a new sense of authority in himself. These stories carry a sense of self knowledge. I remember when I was 12 I asked my parents if I could refrain from going to Sunday school. I was aware that the Sunday school teacher had no real spiritual experience to convey to me. She was merely leading the children through activities. My parents struggled with this. But they finally allowed me to skip Sunday school.
Many of the metaphors of emergence for girls are told in stories like Cinderella and snow white. These metaphors tell about the separation of the girl from the parent (told as wicked stepmother) or falling asleep and transforming.
Perhaps other riders here find it beneficial to reflect upon their 12 year and how they changed and became more of who they are as an adult or began to change into the being of full awareness.
Riders should be “writers!”
Good thoughts, Renita. Maybe it’s too facile to boil everything down to “the hero’s journey.” But maybe the reason it’s so easy to look at stories within that framework is because it IS such a deeply ingrained and fundamental set of archetypes. Jesus, Alexander, even the act of human birth… In one’s comfortable normal world, a call to action/change, denial of the call, getting forced (or choosing to step) over the threshold, and the rest of it.
I think Vonnegut said there were six basic stories:
** “rags to riches” (a story that follows a rise in happiness)
** “tragedy”, or “riches to rags” (one that follows a fall in happiness)
** “man in a hole” (fall–rise)
** “Icarus” (rise–fall)
** “Cinderella” (rise–fall–rise)
** “Oedipus” (fall–rise–fall).
Steinbeck and Joseph Campbell might say there’s only one story.
I think you have to think about the fact that such iconic people raise important issues. For example, we have to protect animals, and we have to involve the public in this. I, for example, am very glad that I was able to find information about animal rights here https://studydriver.com/animal-rights-essay/ . So I hope you can understand it better. Good luck.
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I watched all the episodes last night, but when I got to episode 30, my elder sibling asked for assistance with their law essay. I’ll resume watching this episode after my sister help with law essay, so please let me know if there are any interesting parts, and I’ll focus on the main scenes.
Episode Thirty: How Alexander Led” is a show about Alexander, a leader who made big decisions. It’s easy to understand and interesting for everyone. Watch as Alexander leads his team through challenges and victories. If you enjoy stories about leadership and adventure, don’t miss “Episode Thirty: How Alexander Led.
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