The Ancients Alexander the Great | Rise to Power
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Feb 5, 2026 
Dr Adrian Goldsworthy, historian of ancient military history, provides expert context on Alexander of Macedon's youth and rise. Short scenes cover his education under Aristotle, the taming of Bucephalus, early battlefield roles like Chaeronea, the fallout from Philip II's assassination, and the ruthless consolidation of power that set the stage for campaigns in Asia.
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Philip Rebuilt A Fragile Kingdom
- Philip II inherited a weak, frequently violent Macedon and rebuilt it into a rising power.
- Goldsworthy highlights Macedonia's strategic resources and Philip's early victories as foundations for expansion.
Companions Not Citizens
- Macedonian society was kin-based, not civic; elites led as 'companions' with reciprocal obligations.
- Goldsworthy shows this shaped army loyalty and the companion culture around Philip and Alexander.
Taming Bucephalus
- The Bucephalus story shows a young Alexander calming a terrified stallion by turning it toward the sun and removing its shadow.
- Both hosts treat Plutarch's vivid account as likely embellished but emotionally authentic.
