ABSTRACT
In spring 334 Alexander was ready to invade Asia. Antipater was to be guardian of Greece and Macedonia, and to act as deputy Hegemon of the League of Corinth, in Alexander's absence. The Macedonian contingent of 12,000 infantry and 1,800 Companion Cavalry was less than half, so his reliance on the allies and on Greek mercenaries was obvious. Although Alexanders own troops numbered less than half of the entire army, he had still depleted much of the available Macedonian manpower. Alexanders sacrifices were not random acts to pass the time, and, typically, combined political symbolism with heroic symbolism. In the Temple to Athena in Troy itself Alexander sacrificed to the Trojan Athena and to Priam, who had been king during the Trojan War. Alexander was eager to press south, not least because of the potential danger to Greece from the Persian navy. The symbolism of Alexanders act in untying the Gordian knot was obvious.
