Alexandria Kline

Professor Kimberly Lark

History 134: Ancient World History

28 May 2017

Alexanders Horse: Bucephalus

Philip II and Alexander the Great were both brilliant leaders. They conquered many

civilizations and were both incredible military leaders. Philip II was known for his distinctive

military formations and establishing various cities that embraced the sciences and arts.

Alexander the Great, Philips II son, was known for conquering more regions than anyone else

up to his date. However, one of the largest military impacts for Alexander the Great and Philip II

was from Bucephalus. Bucephalus was a horse during 346 BCE, that valiantly changed

Macedon.

Bucephalus first made his debut with Philip II. He was brought to Philip II to help his

country:

Philip inherited a weak, backward country with an ineffective, undisciplined army and

molded them into a formidable, efficient military force, eventually subduing the

territories around Macedonia as well as subjugating most of Greece. He used

bribery, warfare, and threats to secure his kingdom. However, without his insight and

determination, history would never have heard of Alexander.(Wasson, Philip II of

Macedon)

However, Philip II was unable to train Bucephalus. At a glance, he was an incredibly strong and

noble steed, so a man like Alexander could not pass up the opportunity and the challenge of

taming Bucephalus. When Alexander was young, he was taught to fight and ride by Leonidas of
Epirus, (Mark, Alexander the Great). Leonidas was known for being a strong and powerful

man, of great persistence, therefore, it makes sense that with his leadership Alexander was

ultimately able to tame Bucephalus. Before he tamed Bucephalus, Philip thought that Alexander

would not be able to tame Bucephalus, so:

Alexander bet his father that he could, and facing the horse into the sun (so it would not

be disturbed by its own shadow), he walked in round, calmed it down, then jumped on

and rode off. King Philip Laughed Get yourself another kingdom, my boy, for

Macedonia is not big enough to hold you! (Wood, 25).

Once being tamed, Bucephalus became an icon across the land and, is considered by some to be

the most famous horse in history, (Wasson, Bucephalus). Philip II was so amazed and

impressed by Alexander the Great taming Bucephalus, he said, O my son look thee out a

kingdom equal to and worthy of thyself, for Macedonia is too little for thee, (Wasson,

Bucephalus).

Bucephalus led Alexander the Great into many battles, and always brought him home

valiantly. The two were inseparable. This lead to Alexander naming one of his conquered cites

after Bucephalus. Without his noble steed, Alexander would not have been as accomplish nor

seen as an icon in the militaristic realm.

 Works Cited

Mark, Joshua J. "Alexander the Great." Ancient History Encyclopedia. Ancient History

Encyclopedia, 14 Nov 2013. Web. 28 May 2017.

Wasson, Donald L., Bucephalus. Ancient History Encyclopedia. Ancient History

Encyclopedia, 06 Oct 2011. Web. 28 May 2017.

Wasson, Donald L. "Philip II of Macedon." Ancient History Encyclopedia. Ancient History

Encyclopedia, 01 Aug 2014. Web. 28 May 2017.

Wood, Michael. In the footsteps of Alexander the Great: a journey from Greece to Asia. Univ of

California Press, 2001.