Alexander the Great is history’s most successful general

- Never lost a battle

- Unified Ancient Greece

- Conquered the entire known world

Here are his 7 biggest lessons on the art of war

1.) Seek wisdom first

As a youth, Alexander was mentored by Aristotle

He became wise in human affairs:

- Diplomacy

- Leadership skills

- Knowing human nature

The best leaders are wise - they understand humans, persuade them, and have influence

Become wise

2.) Know your strengths

Alexander knew his unique advantages

For instance, he had a distinct weapon – the Sarisa

It was a long spear that his enemies couldn't counter

Alexander made the Sarisa the center of his strategies, and never lost

Exploit your unique advantages

3.) Embrace deception

At the Granicus battle, Persians set up defense behind a river

Alexander needed a diversion to cross it

He distracted the Persians by charging their flank, allowing his main phalanx to cross unharmed

He won a decisive victory

In war, deception wins

4.) Set the rules

The Gordian knot was a complex knot

It was prophesied that whoever untied it would rule Asia

When Alexander encountered the knot, he sliced it in half with his sword

A good metaphor for his combat strategy:

Control the terms, and victory is yours

5.) Aim for the head

In the Battle of ISUS, Alexander was greatly outnumbered

His solution? Take out the leader

He led a cavalry charge at the Persian King Darius

This assault frightened the king, who fled

His troops soon followed

Aim for the head and the body will fall

6.) Invest in Allies

While conquering Persia, Alexander faced rebellions at home

Most notably, Sparta revolted

Luckily, Alexander had a strong ally in charge of Greece - his general Antipater - who smashed the revolt

Good friends are a great fortune

7.) Do not settle

When Darius sued for peace, Alexander declined:

He needed total surrender

He defeated Darius in battle - leading to Persia's ultimate downfall - and cementing Alexander's greatness in history

There are no half-measures in war