These paternal words should have been the coup de grace for the young Winston. What would have undermined and devastated many of us had the opposite effect on the future leader of Great Britain. After hearing his father’s indictment, he proceeded to embark on an...
Articles
Haile Selassie: The Last African Emperor II
Ras Tafari Rise and Reform Ras Tafari Makonnen (Ras Tafari) was far from the most potent candidate to assume the role of regent over the country. Although he was the son of a popular leader who was revered for his war-time activities and regional policies, Ras Tafari...
Flotsam & Jetsam Unfurled: Macedonian Warfare III
Motivation, Trust, and Camaraderie Several vital steps need to occur when mobilizing a civilian population for military service. Systems and resources are implemented that ensure consistency in clothing, oaths of loyalty, equipment and training Alexander the Great had...
Flotsam & Jetsam Unfurled: Macedonian Warfare II
After Philip's assassination, Alexander assumed leadership of Macedonia and mainland Greece and would take his father's army out for a test drive. First, he went north and took territories Thrace and Illyria, which were previously independent and bordered Macedonian...
1. Haile Selassie: The Last African Emperor
Ras Makonnen Three countries have established long histories of never being colonized by a European power. In Asia, this distinction belongs to Thailand and Japan. And the third country to narrowly escape the fate of other citizens around the world was the ancient...
9. Flotsam & Jetsam Unfurled: Macedonian Warfare I
When looking at Alexander the Great, one of the most challenging questions is how he could accomplish the unthinkable with such speed and by such a young age? Concerning his military activities, it’s worth considering…
8. Alexander The Great & Orson Welles
Orson Welles was considered a pioneer in the film world. He acted, wrote, directed, and produced multiple films and enjoyed unprecedented commercial and critical success.Years later, he was being interviewed on The Dick Cavett Show while smoking a very robust cigar....
7. Impactful Insecurity and Fatal Flaws
Many years into Alexander's conquest and ultimate defeat of the Persian empire, he was hosting one of his infamous drinking parties. Alcohol was a regular component of Greek life, and something that Alexander took to with great enthusiasm.Although the Greek practice...
6. Evolving Vision
Although their Greek cousins didn't entirely accept Alexander and his fellow Macedonians, they shared one crucial viewpoint. Both were uncomfortable with the regional superpower of the mighty Persian empire, currently ruled by Darius III.Persia was like the sun in...
5. Inspiring Success – Being Adventurous. Being Brave. Being Determined.
In 336 B.C., Alexander became king of the Macedonians after Philip was assassinated, and after he successfully navigated some ruthless political palace intrigue. He had his father's army along with the wisdom and experience of the generals that accompanied it. After...
4. The Weapons, Words, and Wonder of Education
One of the great benefits of being part of the Macedonian royal family was that Alexander would be given a formal education.When Alexander's father, Philip, was held as a political hostage in Thebes as a boy, he had access to all the luxuries of the royal Theban...
3. Wrestling with Identity
Alexander was born in July 356 B.C... On the night of his birth, the temple of Artemis in the city of Ephesus was struck by lightning and burnt to the ground.The goddess Artemis bore the responsibilities of protecting young women and was ever-present to support them...
2. Understanding Ancestry
The day couldn't have gone any better for the young, up-and-coming leader! Not only was he living in a sunny land with beautiful shorelines, but he had just secured a strategically important resource.The timber of the land now belonged to him and could be put to good...
1. Two Questions of the Soul
What does Babylon 5, the popular sci-fi show, have in common with Alexander the Great, the young conqueror of antiquity?Although Babylon 5 had all the themes that can be found in many sci-fi stories (ie. advanced technology, space travel, different species,...