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Like the kings of Homer's Iliad, vying for glory in the foremost ranks, Macedonian monarchs led from the front — and few with such zeal as Alexander.
At the Granicus, he plunged into the fray, as a famished wolf darts among a grazing flock, tearing at sheep and shepherd alike.
But Alexander ventured too far, and a Persian horseman brought his sword swinging towards the king's neck… But Cleitus, lurching forward, sliced the Persian's arm from his shoulder.
His first victory over the Mede in hand, and feeling just as invincible as the Pythian priestess had proclaimed him, Alexander marched on.
His target was the coastal city of Halicarnassus, its grand harbor ringed by walls flecked with sea foam, where the great warrior queen Artemisia had once ruled.
You see, Alexander had a rather unconventional plan to deal with the Persian navy: rather than build a fleet and fight them at sea, he'd simply use his army to capture the Persian naval bases, one by one.
The rightful queen of Halicarnassus was Ada II, a wise and learned woman, and a gracious benefactor of the temple at Delphi.
But, deposed by her brother, Ada now languished in exile — until the arrival of Alexander presented her with an opportunity.
The exiled queen welcomed Alexander, putting her wealth, her followers, and her considerable knowledge at his disposal.
So splendidly did they get along, Ada even adopted Alexander as her own son.
The siege of Halicarnassus, then, would be a family affair.