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Secure Your Base

The plan worked. Not Thebes’ plan, my plan.

Well, sort of. Some of my critics point to Thebes as a psychological error on my behalf. It is true that after their initial shock and fear, the Greek city-states’ feelings towards me was one of hatred, bitterness and resentment.

This notwithstanding, I accomplished my objective through my actions: Athens was convinced not to abandon their new leader and seek independence from the confederation. I had their best intention in my heart but to deliver on my promise and fulfill my destiny, they would have to trust me, unconditionally.

Other cities were so discouraged to rebel that my power was galvanized more than my father’s ever was. Eventually, at the Isthmus, the Greeks declared their resolution proclaiming me to be their general. I did have to concede some power to Athens, but this was no different than what my father had conceded so my track record remained unblemished.

To my denigrators I say this: when your power is questioned, act quick and act strong, especially when the people you are acting against should be loyal to you in the first place.

Launch of Global War

With the Greek city-states firmly in my back pocket, I set my sights on my real goal: Asia and notably, Persia.

I ventured to Troy first in order to pay homage to Achilles. Persia would be my first global advance after all. And off I went in the spring of 334 BC with an army of forty thousand.

Of course, I could not leave without having some assurances on the domestic front. As a result, Greece’s navy was offering to provide security with twelve thousand infantrymen and fifteen hundred cavalrymen standing by in Macedonia in case they were needed. My trusted general Antipater commanded them back home so I could focus abroad. After all, before going on the offensive, I needed to secure my base.

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