@@itoibo4208 I understand how you could view it that way, and you're entitled to feel that way, if that's how you wish to interpret it, but I'm trying to keep things in the scope of the context presented and not attribute them to anything other than that
@@brucejuice349 nothing personal. I am wondering why he was invading other lands at this point? Do you know? Was there a need, or was this merely about growing an empire?
@Tacitus G. Kilgore Yes. I can understand why some people wanted to go home if there was nothing really to fight over. You cannot spend all of that loot if you are dead. Quit while you are ahead. Retire and live out the rest of your life in fabulous luxury vs risking your life in pointless battles.
It's mindboggling to me that he became king at 20, and then literally just spent the next 12 years of his life walking the known earth and taking everything in sight. He was on the move non-stop pretty much for 12 straight years.
@@johnchristopher3032 Sparta by the time of Philip II was a shadow of it's former self, by the time of Alexander, Sparta were a bunch of nobodies holding on to past glories. The Spartan decline had long since passed
@@alexman378 Is there still a large population of you guys in Egypt, or have many of you left after the Arab spring? Do you think Egyptian Greeks would ever return to Egypt in the future?
@@003mohamud There is still a sizeable population, but it’s hard to pick up now. Guesstimates would be that the population accounts for roughly 10% of the Egyptian population, but it’s not very accurate. President Nasser’s nationalization program now would count those Greeks as Egyptian nationals, so to estimate the actual Greek population is difficult to do through statistics alone. As far as the Arab Spring results go, we can’t really tell what the results will be because it’s not over. The Arab Winter is still ongoing if I remember correctly.
I'm reminded of something I read in a history book long ago it wasn't really a speech but it sure was cool During 1912 a German Kaiser Wilhelm the II posed a question to Switzerland who had a tiny but skilled army at the time and asked them "what would the Swiss with a mere quarter of a million soldiers do if the Germans Invaded with an army half a million strong" and the response was "Shoot Twice"
Great story, reminded me of one I had heard, hope you hadn't already heard this one, or that you still enjoy it anyway: A large group of Russian soldiers in the border area in 1939 are moving down a road when they hear a voice call from behind a small hill: "One Finnish soldier is better than ten Russian". The Russian commander quickly orders 10 of his best men over the hill where a gun-battle breaks out and continues for a few minutes, then silence. The voice once again calls out: "One Finn is better than one hundred Russians." Furious, the Russian commander sends his next best 100 troops over the hill and instantly a huge gun fight commences. After 10 minutes of battle, again silence. The calm Finnish voice calls out again: "One Finn is better than one thousand Russians!" The enraged Russian commander musters 1000 fighters and sends them to the other side of the hill. Rifle fire, machine guns, grenades, rockets and cannon fire ring out as a terrible battle is fought.... Then silence. Eventually one badly wounded Russian fighter crawls back over the hill and with his dying words tells his commander, "Don't send any more men......it's a trap. There are two of them."
The narrator did an amazing job with this speech. Rhetoric and oratory are important skills and fine arts when well understood, dangerous threats when not. By familiarizing yourself with the tools of persuasion you inoculate yourself to their use; by mastering them you master yourself and begin to influence the world around you.
He was speaking Greek and he was addressing a Pan-Hellenic Army, albeit the majority of whom where Macedonians. This speech occurred after the Battle of the Multan Fortress where he was struck with a three-foot arrow from a six-foot bow. The arrow pieced red his shield and breast plate. Alexander almost succumbed to the wound but his talented Doctor, Philip, removed the arrow and performed successful surgery. However, Alexander never recovered from the wound, and some historians speculate it caused his death in Babylon. Your eloquent explanation was excellent. Alexander believed he was related to Achilles through his mother, Olympia. Interestingly, it;s reported that Alexander was carrying Achilles' shield when he was wounded. Alexander's first stop on his Asian Expedition after crossing the Hellespont was the city of Troy to honor Achilles grave. The city father's gifted Achilles's shield to Alexander to his great delight. He carried it as his shield up until he was wounded by the Malians at the Multan Fortress. Your eloquent explanation was excellent.
As a Greek, my 2 favorite speeches is this one and the last speech of Constantine XI Palaiologos before he rushed out to die defending Constantinople. Both wear purple cloaks, speaking Greek even when they were almost 2000 years apart.
You mentioned that Alexander didn't speak in English, fair enough. For that reason, EPiC TV released a video of that same speech read in ancient Greek pronunciation (with subtitles available). Even if you don't understand Greek, and the reader has a softer voice, the speech still sounds powerful (illustrations and music are the same). It inspired me to spend several months re-learning speaking (not just reading) the so called "classical Greek" I've learnt in high school. RU-vid at its best.
All right, but apart from the sanitation, the medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, a fresh water system, and public health, what has Alexander the Great ever done for us?
@@cobba42 Yes. The places he conquered were largely places* that had or actively were being oppressed and exploited (to use modern dialog) by neighboring regions, once the invaded regions were conquered or in cases where they chose to not fight against Alexander they became part of his empire and were met with a lasting peace they had mostly never known, because attacking any part of the Macedonian empire at that time was effectively suicide.
I've heard this speech on this exact video (I love history channels) 5, make that 6, times. Yes, it's the best speech ever. Alexander had the timing, mythology, accomplishments and bravado necessary to make this epic speech legendary.
Achilles' line is a fiction of the film, as in the Iliad, all kings were great warriors who fought with their men, Agamemnon among the greatest. Julius Caesar (according to himself) once he came before a statue of Alexander, wept and said "to think that he achieved all this by 30, and here i am having done nothing as memorable".
A lot of people misunderstood that statement. Achilles says it when he is sent as the best man against the best of the enemy army. He didn't mean it in the sense that kings should fight on the front lines in battle, which is what also happened in the Middle Ages and we see in the movie. He meant this jocular remark in the context of the upcoming duel where both armies including the kings will watch two "ordinary" men fight and one of them will win. Achilles mocked Agamemnon by saying that it should be the kings who will fight because the kings decide that the people will go to war so let them fight it out themselves and not send their servants who don't even want to go to war.
nowadays i try not to look at the title to get surprised as i watch everything you post. Love the way you share your wisdom, thank you so much! Warm greetings from Amsterdam, that's in the Netherlands ;)
Notice the Macedonian empire stopped short of Sparta. Philip II threatened Sparta, "You are advised to submit without further delay, for if I bring my army into your land, I will destroy your farms, slay your people, and raze your city. If I invade Laconia you will be destroyed, never to rise again.” The Spartans replied with a single word: “If...”
Instant thought after hearing it for the first time.. "If you don't die with this man, you'll be nothing." Obviously, his ploy to empathy, REALLY worked.. I fought none of this, and I'm ready for the next.
You should consider reading “Confusion De Confusiones,” by Joseph de la Vega. It’s less than 100 pages (English translation), but it accounts the mentalities of participants involved in markets, leading up to the Tulip Mania, during the 2nd half of the 17th century.
Sounds a bit like “Extraordinary Popular Delusions & the Madness of Crowds”, but much, much shorter- I will indeed check it out. Thanks for the recommendation!
@@NoProtocol it may be very similar, except this was originally printed during the late 1600s. A more contemporary comparison to that, though written around the market events preceding and following the Great Depression, is “Reminiscences of a Stock Operator,” by Jesse Livermore. No problem!
His father was better. Alexander just inherited the army his father built. What good is a tactician if your army can't follow the orders? Alexander led "his" army into Persia shortly after his father's death, that's not enough time to train an army. The fact is, he led the finest fighting force the world had ever seen until that point, forged and perfected by his father over 20 years of incessant warring. Philip was the Greater, Alexander was just the Lucky.
@@cheesehands3112 His father was great. However there is no better this or that. They did different things. Alexander has turned around battles mid-way many times largely due to his wit, and he also changed the army multiple times since the starting army would not be suitable for many of the battles. He also managed amazingly the starting army as well which had known weaknesses which he masterfully covered to maximize the strengths. Weaknesses that some centuries later other Macedonians were terrible to cover and which led to losses to Romans. Dont compare the two just agree that they did very well.
He also paid for the education of the soldiers children born on campaign and the woman who accompanied them were given a dowry to get a good marriage. Believe he had 8 major wounds. , he lead his cavalry personally in the front rank . His first battle was at 16 , 50 plus battles no all victories. He also built 17 city's, and commissioned two of the 7 wonders of the world. The library at Alexandria and the lighthouse of Alexandria. ( basically the first university) and an automated oil powered stone skyscraper lighthouse to guide ships into port . He also built a citadel palace it was took up a quarter of the city. But it would take a long time yo go into all the details of his extraordinary life.
This was great. I am familiar with epic history, but don't watch a lot of stuff they have. Hadn't seen this before. Really enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing and thanks to the subscriber for suggesting
I’m loving this video and the animation as I just left Athens a few days ago - there is an exhibit of the head of a statue of Alexander in the Acropolis museum dating back 2-3 century BC. I wish I heard this speech before my visit. What a cool thing to hear a portion of this speech on a museum audio guide as well.
That is as moving as the speeches that Ceasar gave when his beloved 9th Legion wanted to go home and then they begged his forgiveness. Also the one Washington gave to his troops at Valley Forge (I think) when his men weren't paid. He took out a piece of paper and then his glasses and told his troops to forgive him for his eyes aren't what they were. He read his speech and just about the entire army were in tears (if I'm not mistaken) and then wanted to fight on.
Close, it was actually a speech given at the end of the war in 1783 after he learned of a potential mutiny by his officer corp for lack of payment and fear Congress would provide back pay. His words were, "Gentlemen, you must pardon me. I have grown gray in your service and now find myself growing blind." Which as you stated, touched every man’s heart in the room. A brilliant display of oratory genius and understanding the moment.
Amongst other things, I really appreciate your understanding and appreciation of history. Unfortunately, most people have little or no understanding or appreciation of history.
The line about the wounds reminds me of some of our Kings in Sweden. Particularly Charles XII. He always fought together with his men, mostly in the vanguard or wherever the fighting was hardest. During the Great Northern War when he crossed the river Düna, he stood at the front of the first landing craft, ready to meet an entrenched enemy force almost three times the size of his own. And won. He wore a simple soldiers uniform, slept on the ground wrapped in his cloak, ate the same food together with his men while the officers ate lavishly. He kept watch, built fortifications and went on patrol with his men. There's another story, I forgot the details but the gist of it is this: He and a detachment of soldiers were chasing the enemy on horse towards a fortified town, caught up with the just as they were closing the gate and forced their way inside. One soldier was aiming a cannon at them from the ramparts and Charles rushed up the stairs, slapped the torch from his hand and scolded him in german. Many other stories like this exist. Sadly he met his end with a bullet to the temple, while keeping watch in the trenches during a siege in Norway
I saw you visually geek out when the speaker talked about the wounds in the front at least haha. Cute. I myself took it as he was surrounded by worthy men, no stabs in the back for him. I like your interpretation too. Anyway, nice video!
When you look at what Alexander had done it makes you think as to what the world would look like today if he had lived a long life. He was a proponent of education so again what would the middle east look like today if he lived. Lots to think about for me anyway.
So many stories about Alexander, and if even 10% of them are true, Alexander was certainly a compelling, reckless, wily leader, from renaming a month so that his troops would fight during what would be a sacred month, to leading his Companion cavalry at the head of a wedge formation, to attacking a city all by himself (to start with at least, his troops got a bit riled up when he jumped over the city wall ....). I'd certainly not like to get on his bad side, but he was usually generous to his friends (Parmenion excluded, perhaps). I had read of this particular event and knew the basics, but had not known there was an account of the speech (accurate or not), and the impression I have is that sounds pretty much like what I'd have expected him to say!
Great video. Alexander always led from the front. A true leader. Admiral McRaven speech in 2014 to the grads of the University of Texas is also a great speech.
"He who leads from the rear, takes it in the rear." - Paraphrased from the original quote I heard Damn good video and take on such. Brought back many memories from my childhood. War and history were all I studied in elementary.
Wow. Fast intros, good understanding analysis on the topics and people in the video, that "geeking out" stuff you do and the classic hair on the eye that moves when you blink. I think im ready to subscribe to No Protocol 👏 ps (very well spoken and good reader 10/10 I love your videos👏👏👏 )
tbh this comment still haunts me. I loved watching her videos then I sent this comment. Felt regret as soon as I sent the comment because I sounded creepy about the hair thing and could never watch her content ever again because of this comment I made. I'm only back because she was in my recommended just know that I came from a good place but I will never forget this cringe. I subscribed but never watched a video again because I kept thinking about this comment im sorry I wish nothing but the best for you
Sun Tzu can be pretty much summed up in one sentence: Always attack your enemy in an unexpected place at an unexpected time from an unexpected direction. Simply brilliant.
add: "If needed, but it's better to avoid direct conflict." Sun Tzu wasn't only on attack tactics, but how to win battles without having them too. ("Open your gates" for example, enemy expects a trap and retreats.)
Just minutiae, when I was deployed just north of Baghdad (TAJI), I went into the Green Zone regularly and the Baghdad area had more to offer 2K years ago than it does today.
He was born less than 100 kilometres from my city and all of us are proud of him but his personal ambition was merely boundless and almost no man or army could stand up to his standards, eventually his never resting spirit would tire them all out haha
As a vet I know leadership. Some people think they lead, but don't. Those are what we have today. But leading doesn't require war or conquest. It can happen in small ways that can matter. Leaders often do what they do, and turn around to see people following. My favorite "leadership" line is from a movie, "Convoy" which I will miss quote. When Rubber Duck was asked who made him the leader, he replied, "I'm not the leader. I just happen to be in front."
What amazed me when I was in the army as a reserve officer is that leadership, at least on the level of making people around follow what you say, is surprisingly not that hard. It requires a few things that are a bit unusual (honesty and fairness towards those you are called to lead), but if you have those, people will follow because they will be convinced that what you say is not a "command", but "the best way to a better situation". I was forced to lead soldiers that were better than me, smarter than me and more educated and trained than me. They all followed my command not because I was better than them, nor because I had a badge that said "officer", but because they realised that we were in the same situation and all I wanted was for us to get out of it in the fastest, most efficient and effortless way we all could. I hope that sometimes, when those people remember their time in the army, they remember me as fondly as I do.
You should do a video on Msgt. John Chapman. He was video recorded earning the Medal of Honor X2 in Afghanistan. The SEAL team he was supporting left him and he ended up saving al of them and a quick reaction force helo that crashed. It will make you cry.
First, the video you chose was really well done! Alex was straight up bitter. Almost sounded like a father disowning an ungrateful child. There are so many legendary speeches, though (just in our lifetimes) - it's like arguing favorite songs. Gandhi at Kingsley Hall, Kennedy "We choose to go to the moon," Reagan "Tear down this wall," Churchill, and on and on. ***I'd also like to recommend to you (unrelated) "Epic Rap Battles of HIstory - Eastern vs Western Philosophers." I don't know if you have seen any of these but they are extremely well done. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-0N_RO-jL-90.html
One the things that draw most of my attention is about how the family of the fallen veterans do not pay taxes. This is a small consolation for a family that lost a father/son/husband, but it should be the barely minimal, the way the world treat the veterans nowdays is sad.
There is a very good film by Robert Rossen "Alexander the Great." 1956. Richard Burton and Frederich March. The battle scenes aren't great, but the film is a character study.
Why did I hate world history in school yet love it so much in adulthood I seek to archive its audio today? Could it be the teachers themselves and their portrayal / presentation of it?
I similarly did not like history in school but have so much fun learning about it now. Perhaps it’s partly to do with the way it was presented to me from teachers, but my brain probably wasn’t ready for it back then either. Did you have good teachers?
@@MikinessAnalog "pique". I agree with No Protocol. I think history is boring for kids. We appreciate, as adults, what it took to conquer lands and build empires, especially in an age without instant communication over long distances. As children, this was just another of many rulers who fought for land. A land that is not our own, that no longer exists in the same form today, in a time when running water was the height of technology. Even now, especially after hearing this reenactment, I have to wonder why they wanted to leave. Were they tired of risking and losing their lives to take more lands? Did they feel like they had done enough? Was it just plain greedy to keep going? What did it matter to rule over everything they came into contact with, like vicious, aggressive, ant colonies? Was Alexander really great, or just an abusive, and mad, tyrant seeking fame and glory for himself and his family?
@@itoibo4208 In my humble opinion, the "history class" format focuses on the wrong parts... the *_specifics_* . I.E. In 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue, In 1493 Columbus sailed the great blue sea, in 1494 Columbus sailed the seas once more.".... That has been *_BURNED_* into my brain for over 20 years now... Though I never even *_KNEW_* about the "Laws of Logic", you know the foundation of all science, reason, logic, Math, etc, etc.... nah, lets not mention that stuff. Or to try to tell *_stories_* about history as opposed to cold hard numbers, dates, names, etc. Give the children the narrative of history, the "whys" a bit more, and I bet it'd be more captivating.
Good lord, woman. You gave the best analysis I have found thus far. One thing not mentioned is how Greece was almost conquered by Persia about 100 years before Alexander was born. He knew his history well. Except for the self-sacrifice of 300 Spartans and 1000 allies as they held a narrow pass along the coast against a massive Persian army, Greece may have been conquered. Those Spartans were destroyed due to the betrayal by a Greek, who for a few bits of gold showed the Persians a path around the Spartans, which led to their being surrounded and destroyed. Alexander despised this betrayal and this invasion of Greece. His idea was to take warfare to the Persians, to give them a taste of it. He succeeded. It was only during his conquest of India, on his way to the fabled land of China, that his army rebelled. And it was then that he gave this speech, to rally his men. Ultimately, he failed. He had to withdraw. A year later, at age 32, he was dead. Some say he was poisoned by one of his generals. After his death, his generals divided his conquered lands amongst themselves. That says it all. If he had lived, he would have been as great as Caesar Augustus and his empire would have been expanded and been greater than Rome.
