Inheriting Vision

              The development of empires is not an overnight occurrence. It takes the dedication and passion of strong leaders. When leadership changes, it falls upon the successor to carry on the legacy of the predecessor, develop the empire independent of past influences. In the case of the Ancient Macedonians and the current regime in North Korea, the successor’s decision to maintain the leadership practices of their predecessor permitted the growth of a pre-established regime.

              When Alexander the Great took over as the ruler of Macedonia, his leadership led to the expansion of the empire to a size of which his father and predecessor, Philip II, could only dream. Even under Alexander, however, Philip’s tactics were what permitted the growth of such a powerful kingdom. The implementation of the hetairoi, Philip’s “companions” and elite Macedonian cavalry gave their men a lethal speed and mobility in battle. According to the historian Diodorous, Philip also “reorganized the military formations and equipped them suitably with weapons, and held continuous military reviews and competitive exercises. He devised also the close order of the… Macedonian Phalanx,” (Diodorous 16.3.1-3). Philip also lightened the load of individual soldiers by equipping them with lighter armor, longer weapons, and implemented state pay for the army. It was with these reforms that Philip was able to spread his empire throughout Greece. After he died, Alexander perpetuated the military reforms that made Philip so successful. While Alexander may have been the general in charge, Philip’s strategy enabled Alexander’s conquests.

              Alexander himself would even credit his father with responsibility for the successes of the Macedonians. In his speech to his troops in Opis, he reminded his men, “[Philip] found you vagabonds and destitute… from the mountains he led you into the plains, and made you capable of fighting the neighboring barbarians… he made you rulers… he rendered the avenue into Greece broad and easy for you,” (Arrian, Anabasis 8.9). While Alexander may have been proud of his own accomplishments, he was successful as a general long before he inherited the kingdom, defeating many of his opponents while still a general under Philip. Alexander was successful both before and after the death of his father, because his leadership techniques did not change. In fact, the expansion of the empire eventually halted under Alexander because of strategies HE implemented. His adoption of the Persian proskynesis and his marrying of an Indian princess were what drove Alexander’s proud Macedonian soldiers to revolt. While Alexander maintained his father’s leadership practices, Macedonia prospered, but the adoption of his own practices was what halted its growth and led to its division.

              A similar situation exists in the current regime in North Korea. Kim Jong Il, the previous dictator of North Korea, was wildly popular with his citizens. His policies were harsh and cruel. The vast majority of the country is impoverished, starving, and without basic human rights as a result, yet the people loved him. In fact, after the dictator died, thousands of North Korean citizens flooded the streets to mourn the passing of the “Dear Leader,” and a national holiday was established to commemorate his birthday as “the Day of the Shining Star,” (CNN Library). When his son, Kim Jong Un, took over, he maintained his father’s cruel and harsh policies, making few changes. He maintains a cruel and inhumane national policy that keeps his people impoverished and without rights without any resistance from the nation’s citizens. Just as Alexander inherited his rule of Macedon and used his father’s techniques to maintain and expand it, Kim Jong Un has maintained his father’s domestic policy to convince an impoverished nation he is doing what is in its best interest.

              In any successful group, it is difficult to determine whom to credit: the leaders, or the followers. While the followers may excel at execution, the leader is the driving force who develops the group, motivates and holds it accountable. In a similar manner, Alexander was a follower. He executed Philip’s vision, but it was still Philip’s vision, executed in the way Philip desired. Alexander’s success was Macedonia’s success, and Macedonia’s was Philip’s success.

-Nate Forrest

Word Count: 600

Arrian, Anabasis 8.9, trans. Edward J. Chinnock (New York, 1983).

Diodorous 16.3.1-3

CNN Library. “Kim Jong Il Fast Facts.” CNN, Cable News Network, 14 May 2017, http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/26/world/asia/kim-jong-il-fast-facts/index.html. Accessed 2 Mar. 2019.