Dr Adrian Goldsworthy

There's all sorts still going on in your head in your sort of late teens, early 20s.

Lots of testosterone flooding around and you don't believe it can happen to you.

Perhaps later in his campaigns, Alexander starts to think that maybe it can.

But at this stage, he is absolutely convinced he's going to be all right.

It fits in with this, you know, his story as he's telling it.

I am leading the combined armies of all the Greeks coming to seek revenge.

Therefore, if you're a Greek, you can't be on the other side.

It's a message to them.

I mean, you've got the difficulty from the mercenaries' point of view.

If they surrender at the drop of a hat, then they're not going to get the next job, are they?

And even Alexander might think, can I trust these people?

So it's a bit tough for them.

But Alexander, by this time, he's changed horses because he gets a second man.

It's not Bucephalus.

He's killed under him.

So the fighting here is quite hard.

These men do not die easily once they realize.

But nevertheless, it's a very clear message.

Do not oppose me.

You need to be my friend and you need to back me.