This is INSANE! Netflix Alexander Episode 2 Historical Analysis

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This video is a full historical analysis of the second episode of Alexander the making of a god, released on Netflix.
Here are the links to my review of the trailer and my review of the first episode.
Trailer
• Netflix is a JOKE! Ale...
Episode 1
• They Did WHAT!? Netfli...
Link to my video on the looks of bronze in the ancient period
• Most of You Will Get T...
As I always premise these videos of mine, of course we understand it's a historically inspired work of
fiction but in this case this is a docuseries so differently from a fantasy setting, or a historically
inspired movie, a docuseries is right there underneath a full documentary. People watch it to learn
history and being entertained so a higher level of scrutiny in this case is I believe justified
The infantry has always been the most important part of the Macedonian war
machine. The Macedonians under Philip II had succeeded in imposing themselves on most of Greece
as a hegemonic force both because of their astute political choices and because they had completely
revolutionized the concept of infantry. Developing, perfecting and sublimating some elements that
had already been partly discussed and implemented by the Athenian Iphicrates and then by the
Theban Epaminondas, Philip II re-equipped his infantry transforming the previous canonical model of
the Greek warrior, the Hoplite, into a new type of warrior, the Pezhetairos, who no longer uses the
cumbersome hoplite shield, the aspis, and the thrusting spear, the dory, but the pelte, a small round
shield fastened to the arm, and the sarissa, a long pike wielded with two hands that at the time of
Alexander reached 5 meters. Thus armed, the Macedonian infantryman does not charge against the
enemy, like the hoplite, but advances towards them at marching pace, opposing them with a deadly
forest of pikes. The "steamroller" of the phalanx had proved deadly in the wars in Greece, and
Alexander sublimated his father's tactics by employing the cavalry to outflank enemy formations and
drive them against the forest of pikes of the infantry, devising the anvil and hammer tactic, which
requires synergy between the two corps, infantry and cavalry. One of the reasons that led Alexander
to improve the Macedonian cavalry and expand it, perhaps, was also in anticipation of facing the
Persian empire, whose army TRULY found its most important part in the cavalry. The Bactrian and
Sogdian cavalry squadrons were feared, and could easily hold their own against Alexander's cavalry,
while the Persian infantry, even those recruited from Greek mercenaries and subjects, certainly could
not match the phalanx. It is true that Alexander won many of his battles because he was able to
make good use of his cavalry, leading it in person and managing to hold his own against the Persian
cavalry, but precisely because it was the most critical confrontation.All the emphasis placed on the fact that Memnon must have been shocked by Alexander's initial
cavalry charge makes no sense. In reality, the first Macedonian assault led by officers Amyntas and
Socrates, who led the vanguards of the right wing, was met with a tremendous throwing of javelins
by the Persians, and then, as Arrian writes:
"The Macedonians, being far inferior in number, suffered severely at the first onset, because they
were obliged to defend themselves in the river, where their footing was unsteady, and where they
were below the level of their assailants; whereas the Persians were fighting from the top of the bank,
which gave them an advantage, especially as the best of the Persian horse had been posted there.
Memnon himself, as well as his sons, were running every risk with these; and the Macedonians who
first came into conflict with the Persians, though they showed great valour, were cut down, except
those who retreated to Alexander, who was now approaching."
Alexander's tactic is not "bizarre" in any way: having arrived to the aid of the forces of Amyntas and
Socrates, by now in disarray, with his cavalry he simply falls upon the Persian left wing. Some
historians interpret Arrian's description, the most detailed we have of the battle, as a charge by
Alexander towards the Persian center, but if we read the text carefully, Alexander falls where
Memnon has deployed the bulk of his horsemen, who in Arrian's previous passage are explicitly
placed on the left wing.
#alexanderthegreat #netflix #mythbusting

[@metatronyt]

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[@miastupid7911]

STOP WATCHING NETFLIX! Οτι δεν λυνεται, κοβεται.

[@Youtubersareignorant2023]

Hope your mom's doing okay buddy. Appreciate the content and the research you vet. Stay you pal and keep on learning so we can too 💪

[@MeltyBubs]

Somehow I was automatically unsubscribed about 10 days ago. I definitely did not do it. I haven't had that happen with any other channels before, at least not that I noticed. Very strange... Anyway I wish you and your family well Metatron!

[@Cigaristocat]

Hey metatron! Have you seen Seki Sensei and his reaction to HEMA? Someone in the comments mentioned you could discuss HEMA as you have extensive knowledge in both it and japanese martial arts as well as the language.

[@TempOne-vh4fd]

What the hell kinda computer is that? I know it has the mono orange and that would make the CPU and Windows PC or at least DOS.

[@sotos-js4sf]

As a greek i have completely lost my faith in hollywood to adapt the history and myths i hold so dear to my heart.

[@anastasiosgkotzamanis5277]

Καλα τα λες μεγαλε. Την ιστορια της αρχαιας Ελλαδας και της Ρωμης τα μετατρεπουν σε αστεια.

[@potman4581]

I'm so sorry, man. Must be rough being Greek in today's cultural climate.

[@iberius9937]

Hollywood doesn't give a shit about authenticity.

[@KTA1sVidsandFacts]

As a Persian we lost faith in Hollywood over 5 decades ago. Welcome to the club.

[@MotivationDaily_Quotes]

Hollywood sells fantasy, which nowadays often come with selling you a certain message

[@mattjack3983]

My great-great-step-grandma told me that no matter what Metatron says, Alexander The Great was a Mexican named Alejandro.

[@rachaelcrespo1230]

😅😅

[@zaja2418]

Don't call my name, Don't call my name, Alejandro.

[@blackshatemyplaylist8643]

Still more believable than a Subsaharan African 😂

[@johnnyklash5883]

Still more believable than Slav from Skopje lmao.

[@physetermacrocephalus2209]

The Persian Empire is soo great they already have swords from the future.

[@KitteridgeStudios]

They were way ahead in the tech tree I suppose.

[@sigmundbalmung]

They rushed ironworking. Going for a domination victory.

[@0num4]

Yet they were still defeated by long, pointy sticks :D

[@nuralibolataev4474]

It's absurd that those who see racism everywhere would choose to portray Achaemenid Persians in such stereotypical ways! Curved swords, leather armor, and those ridiculous turbans. It would be wrong to depict Arabs in such a manner during the Middle Ages, but Persians? It's not just absurd; it's blatantly ignorant and offensive

[@Etymon-jt3zw]

The reason these SJW see racism everywhere is because they are racist and they expect everyone else to think like they do.

[@iberius9937]

Iran never gets a break when it comes to accurate representation, either in Hollywood or anywhere else.

[@rphilipsgeekery4589]

Lol turbans isn't that Indian ?

[@tarekmohamed3263]

They should look at actual Persian Art in Persepolis.

[@timothymatthews6458]

@@rphilipsgeekery4589no. Taliban are are example of non-Indian turbans.

[@brunolima7402]

Im still surprised that the Netflix version of Alexander isn't African.

[@ibrahimihsan2090]

Just because they had Cleopatra be portrayed by a Black woman and are planning to have the North African general Hannibal be portrayed by an African-American doesn't mean they want historical figures from outside Africa in general to be portrayed by Black people. Those are isolated incidences.

[@drip369]

​@@ibrahimihsan2090ummmmmm...it was a joke ?

[@Sabundy]

Yes.....but making Alexander black would only be a bit more ridiculous than what they did with Cleopatra and have planned for Hannibal

[@sharonefee1426]

But they didn't meke him to greek, either... AGAIN. What do they have with Greeks they want them to not appear in screen as main characters?

[@BufusTurbo92]

isolated, my ass

[@parsarustami774]

My grandma said: idc what they tell you in school, persians wearing arab clothes and armor

[@Repoman-zw7oo]

In "grandma's "we trust 😅

[@Magplar]

My great uncle said the same thing.

[@nursontest156]

The grandmas are everywhere🤣

[@user-dc7jp7md6u]

😂

[@GodsThirdEye]

I love how this became a meme for this channel.

[@dyingearth]

I want Metatron to be happy. Please do Shogun episode 2.

[@martinricardo4503]

Yes. Please. And also discuss the bathing habits of 17th Century Europeans.

[@Christopherson2006]

​@@martinricardo4503yes... Why?

[@asellandrofacchio7263]

That ambush "battle" during the night was TERRIBLE. Dropped the show after that.

[@moncro1871]

@@asellandrofacchio7263you’re missing out

[@philippegohier6992]

​@@Christopherson2006 the anjin refuse a bath because it was to dangerous . So history of bathing in the 17th is interesting

[@user-om2wm4hi5r]

That moment when you understand - old Alexander movie was not that bad))

[@iberius9937]

Compared to this piece of shit, no. It had the potential to be a masterpiece, though, but I don't know what Oliver Stone was on when he made it.

[@levongevorgyan6789]

BBC elevated the old Troy movie with their bs too.

[@blakeprocter5818]

Are we talking the old Alexander movie as in Oliver Stone's, or the real old one from 1956?

[@Vargre]

@@blakeprocter5818 I think Oliver Stone. Which there were parts I rather liked.

[@Roadtoinferno]

I could say the people in charge of costume department in Oliver Stone's Alexander really did their job.

[@danteshollowedgrounds]

Netflix doing everything I'm not surprised about.

[@luisoncpp]

Netflix doesn't make anything, they just fund them and distribute them, but the shows themselves are made by external teams.

[@danteshollowedgrounds]

@@luisoncpp Yep.

[@aracelymoran2504]

+ @danteshollowedgrounds Wait till Metatron has to rekon with Netflik's "Hannibal" !!!!!

[@danteshollowedgrounds]

@@aracelymoran2504 Oh that'll be awesome 😆👌

[@VinnieG-]

well I would have expected them to portray Alexander as a trans person, or black

[@66sixta]

The armor that memnon wears is also worn by Rollo from the vikings series in the defense of paris

[@rileyernst9086]

Netflix's version: Some random chariot that's been tied up in the street for 200 years: It was a damn inconvenience, and none could untie it, they were forever walking around it. But Alexander cut the knot! And the street was unblocked!

[@luciano.rim1]

It's not even about the "experts" being completely ignorant about the subject, or the costumes and weapons being completly anachronic... it's that they are doing it on purpose.

[@TheSuperappelflap]

Its like theyre saying, "here history nerds, you like this guy? well fuck him, we'll make him lame and gay"

[@treybrannon4964]

Well, the best way to destroy that he who great is to teach that he wasn't.

[@AJ-HawksToxicFinger]

It's not that I like to see Metatron miserable, it's just that I love to seeing him call out all of these poorly researched and/or purposefully misrepresentative (looking at you Cleopatra) 'docu-dramas'. I am looking forward to some more Shogun reviews for him so he can be happy and enjoy his job for a little bit.... :)

[@milesmanges]

As a Greek, I'm used to it 😢

[@sylviamaresca8852]

Feel for you guys. Greeks should portray Greek heros

[@fabricliver]

Aristotle was a Somalian woman by the way.

[@Winston.S.Churchill]

Try being English according to these lot medieval England or Victorian London was basically Nigeria.

[@VinnieG-]

@@fabricliver definitely.

[@ctam79]

Can't wait for their depiction of King Porus and the battle of the Hydaspes. Maybe they'll get Tony Jaa to fight Alexander one on one on top of an elephant.

[@clefsan]

And after he kills both the King and the elephant, one of his generals will walk up to Alexander and tell him that this only counts as one kill. 😇

The fact that Oliver Stone's Alexander the Great film is more like a documentary than this new Netflix series, can already indicate to a viewer how little fidelity the production has to history and that things continue to be done with little interest. Despite the criticism about the work and the result of Oliver's film, no one should deny that this director made the best battles, sets and armor that have ever been made about Alexander.

[@gregorynixon2945]

Too funny! You have no idea what you're talking about.

[@mahel2002]

Short answer: I agree with you regarding the documentary feel, especially about the battle scenes, not so much about the sets and I am not an expert on armour, so I cannot commend on that. Long answer: Yes, the Oliver Stone film does have the feel of a documentary, because it was made like one. Stone consulted some of the leading ancient historians on ancient Macedonia and Alexander in the making of the film, including Robin Lane Fox (henceforth RLF), who also got some of his doctoral students involved in the production as consultants. So, his Alexander is quite close to being historically accurate, although seen through the research of specific historians (I am certain that if Stone had consulted Ernst Badian, we would have seen a very different Alexander). Regarding the sets, however, the film is uneven (to put it mildly). Stone also visited various museums. I know that he visited the British Museum while in the UK, preparing the film and consulting with RLF, but the things he saw were either (1) never used, or (2) used incorrectly (just two examples: there was the 'Ram in the Thicket', an object found in Ur from 2500 BCE, in the palace of Macedon; there were mosaics on the walls - something that was first done in the time of Nero in his Domus Aurea (64/68 CE)). That said, there were also a lot of correct things in the sets and, I liked the idea of using different accents to show the different peoples (English for Athenians, Irish for Macedonians, whatever Angelina Jolie was doing to show Olympias was Epirote). The battle scenes were correct - RLF took great pride in the fact that Stone heard his advice when he was making the film. In general, I think if you have read most of the major scholarship on Alexander (I mean, all the monographs and the most-cited articles), you can almost read footnotes when watching that film! :)

[@gregorynixon2945]

@@mahel2002 Making Alex a platinum blond or close to it just ruined the movie for me.

[@mahel2002]

@@gregorynixon2945ah, I see... as said, Stone and team did not always listen to advice and they made several ... let's say, questionable choices. I remember watching it in Greece when it came out, and that blond hair made us all laugh so hard! In general, we laughed a lot in that theatre while watching that film :) but compared to what is coming out of Hollywood now and netflix, that film seems so accurare :(

@@gregorynixon2945 That's not enough to be considered a bad movie, much less not to be considered something closer to a documentary than the current Netflix series.

[@WORKERS.DREADNOUGHT]

I don't care what they tell you at school - Alexander ran a kebab shop in Hackney. Mind you, it may have been a different Alexander ...

[@negano5654]

Is Netlfix trying to beat a record for the most inacurate shows about history ? Its like they hired the Grandma who told Cleópatra was black .

[@SavageHenry777]

This is not as bad lol.

[@luciano.rim1]

They don't care about history. They only care about the agenda.

[@sharonefee1426]

Even if the custome suck, at least historically it is more or less goes with what we know... In Cleopatra not as much if they start by making her black...

[@charliemountain82]

The friggin' stirrups. Macedonian cavalry didn't use stirrups.

[@metatronyt]

I didn't mention that because unfortunately it's a safety requirement for the set. It's horrible but there is no way to avoid it at a legal level apparently.

[@Lostboy811]

​@@metatronytThey probably could have green screened or digitally removed them from the scenes.

[@instinct922]

Paint the stirrups green and voilà!

[@Theodorivs]

That’s not easy and cheap, especially for a trivial thing like that@@Lostboy811

[@charliemountain82]

@@metatronyt Yeah, it just drove me insane from the first time I saw the trailer. Even Oliver Stone hid them well, if they were in use. (I didn't see them in 'Alexander')

[@Blisterdude123]

I personally love Justinian's version better. Alexander on the prow of his ship, hurling his spear at the landmass as if to say "F uck you the land of Persia, in particular! Take that!" Also while I think it's overstating to say Macedonian cavalry was the most important element of the army in that period, I do believe it would've been more reasonable to say Alexander revolutionised the ways and means cavlary would be utilised on the battlefield. He recognised the potential and power of horse as a shock-tactic, for speed and maneuver, and for exploiting weaknesses in enemy positions in a way most typically did not.

[@adambielen8996]

I agree, the Macedonian cavalry would be nowhere near as special without the Macedonian Phalanx.

[@TheSuperappelflap]

The Macedonians did use more cavalry than other Greek states, which is why its often said that cavalry was an important part of their army, because as a rule, for most Greek armies, cavalry was only used for scouting and harassment and the battle would be fought by the heavy infantry. Which makes sense because if your guys with long pointy sticks are fighting other guys with long pointy sticks, you dont want to run horses into the forest of pointy sticks. But against the persians who did not rely so much on heavy infantry with long pointy sticks, cavalry was more effective.

[@KTA1sVidsandFacts]

You do realize the Persians had been using hammer and anvil tactics with their shock cavalry for centuries right? Even before them it was a common tactic found practically everywhere. That's why during the Greco-Persian Wars the Greeks often picked battlefields which either prevented the Persian cavalry from flanking, or made it extremely difficult for them to do so. The biggest benefit the Companion cavalry had over the Persian cavalry was that Phillip equipped them with the xyston, a longer spear than the Persian cavalry had at the time.

[@TheSuperappelflap]

@@KTA1sVidsandFacts hammer and anvil tactics werent that effective vs heavy spear infantry like the greek hoplites. this type pf infantry was literally invented to counter cavalry and chariots which dominated battlefields during the bronze age.

[@KTA1sVidsandFacts]

@@TheSuperappelflap The phalanx’s first recorded use was by Sargon of Akkad who reigned during the Bronze Age between 2334-2279 B.C.E. . The Bronze Age ended 1200 B.C.E. and after it the Iron Age reigned. The Iron Age ended with the rise of Cyrus the Great and the Achaemenid Empire at 550 B.C.E. which was then followed by the Classical Period. The peoples of Southern Europe and West Asia still kept using cavalry during this time. In matter of fact, peoples worldwide would still cavalry well into the Second World War. Cavalry was never made obsolete by the phalanx. If it was they wouldn’t have used it. Instead, it was used the same way it had been used for over a thousand years. Outmaneuvering the enemy and hitting them from the rear or their sides. That is where the phalanx was extremely weak as it wasn’t a flexible unit and could be devastated by a charge from behind. You claim the Persians didn’t have heavy infantry, yet that was quite literally the core of their army. I don’t know what sources you’re reading but it feels like you’re getting your knowledge from dated sources or Hollywood movies. I highly recommend you watch Invictus’ “Why the Persians Lost” video as it would be easier to suggest that to you then writing multiple paragraphs and citing my sources.

[@larrygerry985]

I think the complexity is the issue for these documentaries. They are meant to be easy consumption, but the topic is so dense.

[@ibrahimihsan2090]

At least you are giving real constructive criticism like how Metatron is.

[@GodsThirdEye]

Thats an understatement. Alexander literally changed the world and history forever. These shows are made for the average Joe, not history buffs.

[@danorris5235]

​@@GodsThirdEye The wake left by Alexander was indeed world changing. But, I highly disagree on the complexity of what he did or how he did it. Everything complicated occured through his father and then again after ATG's death. Alexander's life can literally be summed up with a list of destinations, corresponding dates, and the words, "charged and smashed," or the alternative, "didn't have to charge and smash," with a footnote on saying which Alexandria he said to build there or rename then having an arrow pointing to the next spot on a map. He'd roll up, slap the locals around, and then say, "Im de captin now. Send yo moneys here," and move on. What he did? Impressive. Was it easy? Not particularly. Was it complicated to communicate? Absolutely not (in my opinion). There's not even hardly anything political or anything to do with statesmanship to talk about regarding him because he was too busy running around, smashing, resupplying, and then moving on to smash someone else.

[@CounciloftheRings]

Great video as always! I had hoped for a mentioning of Kleitus the black and how he saved Alexander’s life by cutting off the arm of a Persian nobleman about to strike Alexander with his sword. I’m not sure how valid the source on that is, but it’s such an iconic scene I can’t get out of my head

[@clownofthetimes6727]

Noooo don`t let them know he was called "the black". Once they get their hands on him , he will be dreaded up and from Africa before we know it.

[@hariszark7396]

Great moment....

[@CounciloftheRings]

@@hariszark7396 aye!

[@Roadtoinferno]

Oliver Stone's Alexander had this scene btw. Stone also made Kleitus a quite important figure in the movie. In this Netflix docudrama, he was only briefly shown and mentioned.

[@anasevi9456]

For it's flaws of not being 3 films as it should have and over-crammed/omission riddled; Oliver Stones Alexander is by far the most accurate we have an are likely to ever get for armour of that time period.

[@sparrow420500]

I like this series. I would much rather watch Metatron review the series than watch it myself! Plus, I REFUSE to pay for Netflix. I would also quite enjoy more videos about Troy in general, ie. the Trojan war and people involved. I would LOVE to see Metatron talk about that and maybe separate some of the things we know vs. Legends! Thank you, Metatron, and keep up the GREAT work!!

[@st0rmrider]

Hello noble ones!

[@yorkshirej2219]

Definitely my favourite title for a group of fans

[@magicbuns4868]

Wow, just signed up to my first ever YT sponsor - I need to get off my ass, and starting learning intermediary coding. Love your vids Metatron!

[@metatronyt]

You and me man. I'm learning too

[@parsarustami774]

Thank you for this video metatron. the way media or hollywood is trying to portray persians from ancient to medieval and modern day is just unbelievable. like at this point just call them arabs or something else. why you call them persian when there's literally nothing about it is persian

[@alanbrookes275]

This is Hollywood and they can't be bothered to research the difference so you're right about that.

[@littlesalvo000]

This channel needs to be shared with more people. Metatron deserves way more subscribers. The quality of the content can help many people to understand history properly 😊

[@achilleuspetreas3828]

I was really happy to hear you pronounce δόρυ dory correctly. Respect!

[@user-ro9mb7rh8n]

Metron I'd love to see you do at least one video on the Picts. I mean everywhere you look they focus on the name and then talk about these people as they are barely visible through the mists of time. We know that before they gradually merged with the Scott's into a mediaeval nation state that Fortrue was the most powerful of 5 Pictish Kingdoms. The king of Fortrue at this time was Bridie and these people were powerful enough that Anglo-Saxon kings sent their sons to fostered (held hostage) at their royal courts. At one time they were able to stave off and even overcome the Norse in a way that took their southern neighbours generations to match. They were writing about these guys in Roman times, Shakespeare had enough information to write about....... Could you and your team see if it's worth researching the topic and present us something coherent. Lowland Scottish is a language closely related to English and even in the far North and Isles where they spoke Gaelic the major clans like McDonald and McLeod were at least as much viking as Celtic. Fascinating from Roman. Times to the mediaeval. We need someone trustworthy to do it justice

[@celticperspective5183]

Celtic Templar on KZbin has made some videos about the Picts, they’re very good

[@user-ro9mb7rh8n]

Cool. Will check it out

[@tman4072]

I do like these analysis videos of the "historical" series, I haven't seen the Alexander one yet, probably won't. Definitely enjoying Shogun though.

[@shegocrazy]

Persians were overrun by Arabs in 7th century AD. Virtually 1,000 years after these events lol.

[@yaqubebased1961]

And the arabs all got thrown out in the end or killed lol. Just like the greeks (Parthians) and the mongols (Sarbedaran rebellion).

[@Ramzi123_]

​@@yaqubebased1961still tho they changed the course of Iran forever

[@gehlesen559]

​@@yaqubebased1961 Parthians had a lot of Greeks in their ranks. It was Sassanid Persia that got rid of Greeks.

[@yaqubebased1961]

@@gehlesen559 How come? Greek forces specialized in heavy infantry warfare and they esp loved using Macedonian Phalanx tactics. These tactics were completely ineffective against the Parthian horse archer and Cataphract teams. Go read about how they rendered the Phalanx completely obsolete by destroying each Seleucid army that tried to use it. I believe it was during Mehrdad (Mithridates) II's reign when the Parthians ousted the Seleucids from Iran proper.

[@gehlesen559]

@@yaqubebased1961 Greek mercenaries were hired everywhere in large numbers for many centuries. They were usually paid with a combination of money covering their cost and with land (usually at the borders). Parthians, had quite a few of those colonies (from which they recruited heavily). Greek mercenaries usually started lightly equipped (being poor was the no 1 reason to become a mercenary or pirate) and would gradually upgrade from there. The heavy hellenistic phalanxes of the Seleucid empire was not something you would find among mercenaries. the first greek cavalry where nobles skirmishing as horse archers or javelins throwers. Over time Thessalians adopted shock cavalry to assist their hoplites in melee. Greeks who owned lands of their own would almost always fight as cavalry. Also the Seleucid empire had no trouble dealing with cavalry armies on a tactical level. They managed to put down all rebellions in India and Parthia without much trouble. They started to crumble after a series of defeats in Greece, against the Greek&Romans in Anatolia and against Egypt.

[@ampo2004]

"They run like maniacs" hahah this one cracked me haha

[@alanbrookes275]

The Macedonian phalanx was crucial as a weapon because it's opponents couldn't get near it with shorter weapons. The cavalry was crucial to guard it's flanks. In the 200 years it was supreme only the Romans defeated it by exploiting the gaps and out flanking it. That being said the Persians were great archers, but were unable to exploit it until the Parthians came along. Greek sources describe the Persians as horde armies made up of uncoordinated levies from the empire. Historically I believe that the Persians then relied too much on Greek hoplite mercenaries with outdated tactics and weapons. Even though in the Peloponnesian War the Athenians peltasts shown the vulnerability of the Spartan phalanx the lessons seem to have been forgotten and the Theban heavy phalanx as seen at Leuctra was the key and further developed by Philip II. It remained the key formation in Hellenistic armies. Hordes charging into battle is pure rubbish to entertain the uneducated viewer. I also believe that Greek hoplites had long given up bronze armour for lighter linen/leather corselets and relied on the sarissa as the main protection.

[@KTA1sVidsandFacts]

Of course the Greek sources will depict the Persians as incompetent hordes (even though in doing so it lowers the prestige from beating them in battle), but take note that before Alexander invaded Asia, Memnon of Rhodes in command of the Persian army defeated Parmenion, Amyntas, Andromenes and Attalus, who commanded an army of 10,000 men at Magnesia.

[@alanbrookes275]

@@KTA1sVidsandFacts There must be two Battles of Magnesia. The one I know was in 189BC between Antiochus III the Seleucid king, a Macedonian with some Persian blood and Lucius Cornelius Scipio Asiaticus the Roman Consul. The Greeks lost the phalanx broken and that Seleucids confirmed to Syria allowing the rise of Parthia . There were some Persian/Parthian cataphracts on the Roman side. Memnon of Rhodes won the battle of Granicus so yes a Greek mercenary in the service of the Great King but was killed on Lesbos at Mytilene. I don't know of whether he used a Greek or Persian style army. Yes there are two Battles of Magnesia I just checked. Thanks for your info.

[@RealPathfinder3]

The reason of Roman victories is that sarisa got more length and that made infantry even more difficult maneuverable and cavalry was weakened too much. All of this because the civil wars between heirs and their needs. Romans found a weakened Phalanx with a shadow of the Alexander's cavalry. If Ptolemy Lagos was helped Pyros as asked then Rome would have been lost. Romans were never a good defender in their capital Rome as they was when offenced outside...

[@hariszark7396]

1:28 The two sides were the Greeks and the Persians. Macedonia was ONE of the Greek states that formed the army of Alexander.

[@Dhomden]

The one that brougt the rest to kneel Except those stubborn backwash lacedaemonians and their silly ways

[@iberius9937]

How I long to see Greeks and Ancient Greece portrayed accurately and compellingly on film.

[@luciano.rim1]

I'm sure there're great Greek movies around.

[@celticperspective5183]

Jason and the Argonauts is still one of the best ever Ancient Greece films

[@gabyradu8266]

Its not about Greeks and ancient Greek .Its wrong to assume that Alexander Macedon was Greek. Indeed he promoted the Greek culture in the land he conquered....but he WAS NOT Greek. He was Macedonian (as his name suggest). And Macedonians were a branch of Thracians...or brothers of Thracians if you like . Before the Greeks colonization was another big Thracian colonization. Look to the map today to see island Samothrace or Charpatia in south Greek. Macedon's mother Olimpia was Thracian or Ilirian and his father Philip was Macedonian king. Many other cultural elements were integrated in Greek culture...as Apollo( also known as Apollo Hyperborean) and Artemis or Heracles (Latin name its Hercules) or Dionysus.

[@Biotechnologyandotheroddities]

He was Greek.He was a member of the Argead royal dynasty.

[@FireflowerDancer]

I recommend Rembetiko with the Greek singer Marika Ninou ❤️

[@matyastaticek6616]

Justin or Iustinus who wrote the Epitome of the Philippic History of Pompeius Trogus where he writes about Alexander's conquest wasn't the famouse roman emperor Justinian.

[@podcastler]

shogun and alexander are the best example of what is done right and what is done wrong

[@hariszark7396]

Even in modern Greece we hear so many wrong and stpd things about ancient Greece because most of our "teachers" and "scholars" are repeating all the nonsense of various foreign "talking heads" but never read the sources that are actually written in Greek and we can understand them perfectly. They prefer the "junk food" than do a little research themselves....

[@Jaxx_101]

I believe that the best cinematic reconstruction of the Macedonian army and how it operated on the battlefield is that provided by Oliver Stone's film Alexander regarding the Battle of Gaugamela.

[@Lex45173]

Metatron, I think you ve done an editing mistake on 4:19. You say that Justinian wrote about Alexander's landing on Asia and use a mosaic of Byzantine Emperor Justinian when it was the Roman historian Justin who wrote that in his work, Epitome of Pompeius Trogus, Book XI, paragraph V.

[@rc8937]

Right, I was thinking the same. Maybe the mosaic was just shown as joke. (?)

[@Mr808pocho]

Are we getting a video on the new Moses doc. As well?

[@Aleksander..K.]

Love your videos! Wish you good luck )

[@KiwiRaymond]

Thankyou to you and your team. Always refreshing to hear well considered and balanced perspectives with sources provided.

[@Iflie]

Isn't the green patina on old bronze toxic? Verdegris Imagine if you walked around with your armor so badly kept it turned into that.

[@siamzero9480]

What? I guess people just keep killing themselves when they visit the Statue of Liberty. I don't know where you got that from

[@petiaivailova2563]

Thanks for the video - very interesting and informative; looking forward to Shogun's analysis :)

[@flubz5457]

Amazing and informative video as always, thanks Metatron! Would love to see more videos like this on Shogun!

[@makeup_tashaqueen]

I love your roasting historical videos. Keep it up.

[@CymruCelt01]

I loved this presentation. It was great 👍

[@metatronyt]

Thank you!

[@mogadeet6857]

Thank you so much Metatron.

[@aracelymoran2504]

Great reaction video. Educational as usual. Metatron in his element.

[@syrpentina]

Happy Easter, Metatron! 🙏💖 I came here today looking for a video because I'm curious: Have you covered the history of Easter and where different traditions come from? I've checked your channel and didn't see an Easter video, and I really appreciate how thoroughly and knowledgably you comb through the history. Thank you!

[@robbierobdergrutzkopfderwa2566]

Yes, continue!

[@hariszark7396]

Alexander was feeling a strong connection to Achilles because he was his ancestor from the side of Alexander's mother Mirtale-Olymbias. From his father's side he was a descendant of Hercules. That is one of the proofs that Alexander the great was GREEK.

[@Alamandorious]

This is fascinating. Please continue this series! I love Greek history and mythology.

[@DustinBarlow8P]

I hope Seleucus i Nicator gets represented. He is an inspiring indidual just like Alexander. He rose from a common Infantry soldier in the start of the Persian campaign, then Leading the Royal Hypaspistai, finally leading the Macedonian Special Forces the Silver Shields in the Indian Theatre. After Alexanders death he became Emperor of the Seleucid Empire. He is hte prime exmple when saying "War helps one rise above their station".

[@kristianfagerstrom7011]

7:37 I cannot believe that you spelled Cavalry as Calvary. Repeatedly.

[@TheSegaSuperFan]

Honestly I found your channel through Biographics and Simon Whistler, and I’m so happy you were recommended. It’s very rare to see unbiased historical information online and it makes me so happy to be able to see and listen to this and know it was done without prejudice, assumptions or malice towards anyone. I’m binging as much as I can while the kids are at school because this gentleman has an absolute grip on my subscription now lol.

[@sordmasta6646]

In case anyone is wondering, this is what an ancient Greek pyrrhic dance would look like. /watch?v=cYelSpTWVUw or /watch?v=Myc-5q6edp4 There's many versions, with different weapons, or no weapons, a two-man duel or with multiple people in a line. It is the oldest recorded war dance, Homer says that Achilles danced it in front of the Trojan walls. Nowadays most Greek areas have stopped practicing their pyrrhic dances. Except for the Pontic Greeks (genocide refugees from what is not north turkey) who practice this dance even to this day.

[@MysticalJessica]

If you have no Sarissa then you have no Phalanx and if you have no Phalanx then you have no Alexander the Great!

[@gehlesen559]

Phalanxes predated the use of Sarissa.

[@MysticalJessica]

@@gehlesen559 That's not what I meant!

[@nicolethompson8613]

Happy Easter!!

[@derkaiser420]

Why would they make his armor so bland? Obviously, it was a shock factor to be seen. It gives your men reason to fight on for you but it also terrifies your enemy that Alexander is right there killing people with his army.

[@somefuckstolemynick]

Makes you a target too. Plenty of kings and generals have been killed by a lucky shot. RIP Karl XII

[@mogadeet6857]

So glad you mentioned the sarissa.

[@billhsu6349]

I admire your courage to watch this frame by frame.

[@helenwhite2066]

There is also a pilot episode for an Alexander series made in the 1960s,which starred William shatner as Alexander.this can be viewed on you tube.I believe it never got any further than the pilot being made.an interesting little curio for Alexanderphiles.

[@JediHangout]

I have not seen this yet, but I am now curious. So I will be planning to watch them and of course I will be going your direction for analysis.

[@rileyernst9086]

Hey Alexander is just lucky that the Persians didn't use their time travelling abilities to arm themselves with Ak47s and RPGs at this point.

[@morgangallowglass8668]

Yes, please, more!

[@DobrieLov]

I’m down to hear more about Alexander but I’m really waiting for the next Shogun video. :P

[@violetah.8675]

As someone already said, I'd rather watch your review of the show than the docudrama itself. You and your team did a great job, as always.

[@paulomelo1084]

good job as usual, just a reminder to check your legends some are correct and use cavalry, but others use calvary which brings another meaning 😅

[@20th_century_specter]

I would absolutely love a review of episode 3 and the whole series.

[@NapoleonCalland]

9:29 As Napoleon the Great, who studied Alexander, says : infantry, cavalry and artillery (not forgetting specialist units, such as engineers), are nothing without each other. Claiming that one arm of service deserves all of the credit is missing the point of how tactics work. The Metatron has nailed it again. 🦁 ☀️ 🐝 ⚡ 🦅 ⚡ 🐝 ☀️ 🦁

[@ShagShaggio]

Awesome Cheers.

[@thelostchevalier]

Oh, thank God! I was screaming on this episode telling my family that Memmon didn't die there and he was a big deal for Alexander! I even went to my books to point it out (along with the fact that there were not only Macedons on the army of Alexander but also Greeks, LOTS of Greeks, but the show is like telling us "there were Macedon"), I left the series here, I have not seen the rest, I refuse... and also, the chariot, I was like "It was in a temple, why is in the street? What the hell is happening here?!"

[@iberius9937]

Colin Farrell's armor and helmet when he played Alexander was much more accurate.

[@michaeltelson9798]

Cavalry until 1000 CE had a major problem. No stirrups! They weren’t common until the end of the first millennium. Without stirrups you can be knocked off your mount quite easily. Using lances would throw you off the horse on a good thrust and impact.

[@yaqubebased1961]

Only makes the Cataphracts even more badass.

[@Ruairoquai]

AD

[@michaeltelson9798]

@@Ruairoquai AD suggests that Jesus was born in the first year. According to the Gospels, Jesus was born while Herod the Great was still alive. We know the year of his death 4 BCE. Biblical scholars place Jesus to have been born between 4 and 6 BCE. 1 AD therefore is an arbitrary date not based on fact.

[@Lee-vk1xy]

I've yet to see a Netflix documentary or docudrama that mentioned alternative explanations or theories. Indeed it was such that first got me questioning them.

[@axelsandi]

that was great Metatron

[@metatronyt]

I'm glad to hear thanks

[@havocgr1976]

I ve only watched episode 1, as a Greek I am scared to watch more ;p

[@miastupid7911]

As a Greek, I unsubscribed to Netflix almost 2 years ago. Οτι δεν λυνεται, κοβεται.

[@parsarustami774]

As a persian I'm even more scared to watch the 10 min of the episode 1.

[@miastupid7911]

@@parsarustami774 STOP WATCHING NETFLIX AND HOLLYWEIRD (and all its derivatives). AS A PERSIAN YOU SHOULD HAVE DONE THAT YEARS AND YEARS AGO. And believe or not, I mean that with respect, even though you might be doing the same in turn.

[@miastupid7911]

@@parsarustami774 as a Persian, Roman, Egyptian or any one else of ancient and historically well-documented and established heritage, you should also stop watching holly weird and all its derivatives. That includes all of the episodes and all depictions of revisionism, full stop (🌕 ✋).

[@anthonyoer4778]

As a Roman I say, "Carthago delenda est "!

[@ALEHAS21]

Great review, I would like to point that the part where they talk about Greeks fighting Greeks annoyed me the most it wasn't rare for greek mercenaries in the persian army actually the opposite. Have those talking heads never heard of Xenophon's Anabasis or Alexander's great great grandfather (also named Alexander) who fought WITH the Persians during the GrecoPersian wars 150 years earlier?

[@divicospower9112]

- Did you really defeat the hardest knot ever made? - Yes. - How? - I removed the pin. - ...

[@jcalveras]

Please, more!!!

[@ViejoLocuelo]

Historians aren’t hired for what they know, but by their willingness to stick to the script.

[@davidrudd9846]

Shogun I hope is next

[@GreenMochi420]

I really enjoy these videos. I know Netflix is what it is but you would think a documentary would be accurate, period. You’re awesome Metatron💚

[@wrongfootmcgee]

fighting the good fight, Metatron for the gordian knot, much as i prefer the visceral nature of the first solution the second offers more substantial wisdoms, if a bit blunt and indelicately wielded...

[@garylancaster8612]

I've always been amazed that nobody before Alexander ever thought of just cutting the knot or taking the pin out and unraveling it. It wouldn't take a rocket scientist.

[@mogadeet6857]

Good grief. Thank you Metatron.

[@holgerknechtet5307]

at 9:23 it looks like total war: arena Alexander. And if I may say so, I loved total war: arena. I have played it only 2018/2019 until it was canceled, but I remember joyfully the times of TwA. Great 10v10 antique warfare. Thanks for reading.

[@Kaiyanwang82]

METATRON LIVES

[@andrewbrown6728]

As entertainment wants to produce the most exciting and profitable imagery possible, it is very probable the talking heads provided both ideas of the cart being freed, but chose the more sensational idea because it may be received better. There have been several professional historians that have given full accounts of what is available, but then had their interviews cut into the sound bites we hear in shows, because it may generate more views and profit. They may have felt they way they do, as shown in the series, or it may also be a misrepresentation of their full explanation of the event. I enjoy your critical break down😊

[@clefsan]

Since you asked for feedback, I will say that I do not watch Netflix at all, but I massively enjoy your analysis videos of any of their historical (or pseudo-historical) shows.

[@WarDogMadness]

3:28 i swear that armor is the one used by rollo in the later seasons of vikings when hes dux of Normandy

[@aneisleeper5515]

I don't think it's leather. The armors in TV are probably foam

[@DeusRegum]

I ❤Metatron! You are the historical!

[@metatronyt]

Thanks man

[@kurzor0007]

I like the removing of the pin method, it reminded me of the Capt America scene of Steve Rogers simply removing the pins from the flag pole stand

[@cestmoi1262]

What museum did you get that CRT screen from?

[@babilon6097]

A good Meta-analysis.