alexander the great motivational speech

Analyzing Alexander the Great’s Speech at Opis: Themes and Impact

Explore the themes and lasting impact of Alexander the Great's speech at Opis, focusing on unity, loyalty, and conquest.

Alexander the Great’s speech at Opis stands as a pivotal moment in his leadership, encapsulating his ambitions and addressing the challenges facing his army. Delivered during a period of tension and unrest among his troops, this speech sought to reaffirm their shared goals and address the growing discontent.

The significance of this oration lies not only in its immediate impact on Alexander’s men but also in its enduring influence on subsequent historical narratives and perceptions of leadership. Through an exploration of the themes such as unity, loyalty, and conquest, one can gain insight into Alexander’s strategic mindset and rhetorical prowess.

Context of the Speech

The speech at Opis was delivered in 324 BCE, a time when Alexander’s empire stretched from Greece to the fringes of India. This vast expanse, while a testament to his military genius, also presented significant administrative and logistical challenges. The diverse cultures and languages within his empire required a unifying vision, and Alexander sought to address these complexities through his oratory.

Tensions had been simmering among his troops, many of whom were weary from years of relentless campaigning. The soldiers, predominantly Macedonian, felt alienated by Alexander’s increasing adoption of Persian customs and the integration of Persian soldiers into their ranks. This cultural amalgamation, while strategic for governance, was perceived as a betrayal by those who had followed him from the beginning. The speech at Opis was thus a crucial moment for Alexander to bridge this growing divide and reassert his leadership.

Alexander’s address was not merely a response to immediate grievances but also a strategic move to solidify his vision of a cohesive empire. By emphasizing shared values and common goals, he aimed to foster a sense of unity among his diverse forces. His rhetoric was designed to remind his men of their collective achievements and the glory that awaited them, should they continue to stand together. This approach was intended to rekindle their loyalty and commitment to his cause.

Alexander’s speech at Opis is rich with themes that reflect his leadership philosophy and strategic objectives. By examining the themes of unity, loyalty, and conquest, we can better understand the underlying messages he sought to convey to his troops.

One of the central themes of Alexander’s speech was unity. He emphasized the importance of cohesion among his diverse forces, which included Macedonians, Greeks, and Persians. Alexander highlighted their shared experiences and collective achievements, reminding them that their strength lay in their unity. He sought to transcend cultural and ethnic differences, promoting the idea of a single, unified empire. This theme was crucial in addressing the discontent among his Macedonian soldiers, who felt marginalized by the inclusion of Persian elements. By advocating for unity, Alexander aimed to create a sense of belonging and shared purpose, which was essential for maintaining the stability and effectiveness of his army.

Loyalty was another key theme in Alexander’s speech. He reminded his troops of their long-standing commitment to him and the cause they had fought for over the years. Alexander recounted their numerous victories and the hardships they had endured together, reinforcing the bond between him and his soldiers. This theme was particularly important in the context of the growing dissatisfaction among his men, as it sought to rekindle their allegiance to him. By appealing to their sense of loyalty, Alexander aimed to quell any thoughts of mutiny and ensure their continued support. His rhetoric was designed to evoke a sense of pride and honor in their shared history, thereby strengthening their resolve to follow him.

The theme of conquest was also prominent in Alexander’s speech. He spoke of the vast territories they had already conquered and the potential for further expansion. Alexander framed their military campaigns as a noble endeavor, driven by the pursuit of glory and the spread of Hellenistic culture. This theme served to motivate his troops by appealing to their desire for fame and fortune. By emphasizing the rewards of continued conquest, Alexander sought to inspire his men to persevere despite their weariness. He presented their mission as a grand adventure, with the promise of immortality through their deeds. This vision of conquest was intended to reignite their ambition and commitment to his leadership.

Immediate Reactions

The immediate reactions to Alexander’s speech at Opis were as varied as the diverse group of soldiers who listened to his words. Initially, there was a palpable tension in the air, a mix of skepticism and curiosity. Many soldiers had grown weary of the long campaigns and the changes within their ranks, and Alexander’s speech was a moment of reckoning. As he began to speak, recounting their shared experiences and victories, a sense of nostalgia started to permeate the crowd. His ability to articulate their collective journey resonated deeply, reminding them of the glory and sacrifices they had made together.

As Alexander continued, focusing on the future and the potential for further achievements, a shift in the atmosphere was noticeable. The initial skepticism began to wane, replaced by a renewed sense of purpose among many of the troops. His eloquence and passion were undeniable, and for a moment, the soldiers were transported from their grievances to a vision of greatness. The promise of future conquests and the allure of immortality through their deeds rekindled the ambition that had driven them to follow Alexander across vast and foreign lands.

Despite the overall positive reception, not all reactions were uniformly enthusiastic. Some soldiers remained wary, their loyalty tempered by the hardships they had endured and the changes they had witnessed. Yet, even among the skeptics, there was a grudging respect for Alexander’s rhetorical skill and his unwavering confidence. His ability to address their concerns without dismissing their struggles demonstrated a level of empathy that many had feared he had lost. This nuanced approach helped to bridge the gap, if only temporarily, between the disillusioned soldiers and their charismatic leader.

Long-term Influence

The long-term influence of Alexander’s speech at Opis extended far beyond its immediate impact on his troops. As time passed, the speech came to be seen as a defining moment in the annals of leadership, shaping the way future rulers and commanders approached the art of governance and military strategy. The eloquence and persuasive power Alexander exhibited during this oration became a benchmark for effective communication, inspiring countless leaders to refine their own rhetorical skills.

This speech also had a significant impact on the cultural and intellectual fabric of the regions Alexander had conquered. By promoting a vision of a unified empire, Alexander laid the groundwork for the Hellenistic period, a time characterized by the blending of Greek and Eastern cultures. This era saw the flourishing of arts, sciences, and philosophy, as ideas and knowledge were exchanged freely across the vast territories he had brought together. The ideals articulated in his speech at Opis played a crucial role in fostering this environment of intellectual and cultural synthesis.

In military academies and leadership training programs around the world, Alexander’s speech continues to be studied for its strategic brilliance and emotional resonance. It serves as a case study in the power of oratory to motivate and inspire, demonstrating how a well-crafted speech can galvanize an army and reshape the course of history. The lessons drawn from this moment have been applied in various contexts, from political campaigns to corporate leadership, underscoring the timeless relevance of Alexander’s words.

History of Portuguese Angola: From Exploration to Independence

Napoleon's rabbit hunt: the emperor's unexpected fiasco, you may also be interested in..., thutmose iii: military genius, administrative reformer, architectural pioneer, sargon through history: art, literature, and cultural impact, the life and legacy of samurai in feudal japan, the rise and fall of a roman emperor.

• Motivation , Personal

Burning the ships and sailing away

Mannerofspeaking.

• January 3, 2015

The legendary Alexander the Great built an empire that, at its height, stretched from Ancient Greece to India. One of his strongest and most formidable enemies was the Persian Empire of Darius III. In 334 BC, Alexander led a fleet of Greek and Macedonian ships across the Dardanelles Straits and into Asia Minor. When he reached the shore, Alexander ordered his men to burn the ships. He told his men, “We will either return home in Persian ships or we will die here.”

Centuries later, in 1519, the Spanish conquistador, Hernan Cortéz, employed the same strategy and had his men burn the ships when he landed on the shores of (what is today) Mexico to embark on his campaign against the Aztecs. Similar tales are told of the Vikings and other warriors throughout the ages.

By burning his ships, Alexander hoped to galvanize and motivate his troops. They knew that they had to fight in order to survive. There was no other way. To borrow from Ed Harris’s line in Apollo 13 , failure was not an option. And so Alexander’s men were fully committed to the campaign ahead.

I have been pondering these historical events over the previous months as they have come to take on increased significance in my own life. Last year, I had the opportunity to speak at TEDx Lausanne. The theme of the conference was “Perpetual (R)Evolution”. I spoke about my own evolution, from a corporate litigator in a large law firm in Canada to the United Nations in Switzerland to taking the step to branch out on my own into the world of professional speaking. Only it wasn’t a full step.

In October 2013, I tendered my resignation at the World Health Organization in order to pursue public speaking full time at the beginning of 2014. I was prepared to make the jump. What I wasn’t prepared for was my employer asking me whether I would consider working part-time. After thinking about it, I accepted for two reasons: I enjoy working with my colleagues; and it was a safety net in case the public speaking work didn’t materialize as planned.

The experience of working 50% at a job and 50% for myself for a year has been interesting and illuminating. There were times when I felt a bit stretched, but the workload was manageable and I had a successful year in both domains.

However, as the year wore on, it became apparent that my situation was not sustainable. Not because of the workload or pace. Rather, I realized that I would never be able to achieve my full potential either on my own or within the United Nations system by splitting my time between the two. Half-measures are rarely a recipe for success.

And so I have decided to burn the ships. My supervisor and I have agreed that my last day of work as a staff member of the WHO will be 28 February 2015. I would be remiss if I did not thank my colleagues who have been so understanding and supportive of my decision. I may be burning ships, but I am not burning bridges!

So a new journey beckons and I will find myself traveling it in less than two months. There is much work to do and my sleeves are already rolled up. Am I nervous? Let’s see: I’m 52. I’m giving up a good job in a great organization. I’m giving up a pension plan, medical insurance and other benefits. I am embarking on an odyssey that will doubtless be fraught with challenges and whose destination is uncertain. Of course I’m nervous.

But I am also excited and motivated by the adventure that lies ahead. If it doesn’t work out, I can always find something to do. But if I don’t try now, I will always wonder what might have been. And I don’t want to go through life like that.

Long-time readers of this blog know that Mark Twain is a great source of inspiration for me. This wisdom of his is particularly apt:

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did so. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.

So in the end, there is one ship that I have not burned. The one that none of us can burn. The ship that is our life. My ship has already had a number of years at sea, but she’s in good shape for her age. Her equipment is in solid working order and she has a wily captain to steer her through waters calm or stormy. I look forward to the journey.

  Photo courtesy of Romain Bourguignon / Flickr

Like this article.

Great post and better decision John. Best of luck to you. Look forward to following along with your success. Happy New Year.

Many thanks, Dave! I very much appreciate it. All the best to you for a terrific 2015. I hope we get the chance to meet in person one day, whether in Canada or elsewhere.

Look forward to it John.

In the immortal words of Seneca … “Luck is when opportunity meets preparation.” You’re well prepared and you have tons of opportunities! Great decision and needless to say, you can always count on me!

Thanks, Flo. Really appreciate it. Como siempre, un fuerte abrazo.

Make sure you capture the fire from the burning ships and carry it with you to every audience – may you achieve all the success you desire as you Speak…and Deliver! 🙂

Thank you, Rich. I appreciate the support. All the best to you and the family for 2015.

Very inspiring and courageous decision John. I wish you all the best for the rest of the journey. Good luck.

Thank you, Hamed. I look forward to catching up with you on another chatroom session some time in 2015. All the best for the new year.

John, I enjoyed reading your post, and best of luck on the new journey!

Thank, Bryan. I always appreciated your when you were here in Geneva and still appreciate it from North Carolina. All the best for a great 2015.

Congratulations on taking this step, John. I admire you for taking it, and I wish you all the best.

Many thanks, Craig. Much appreciated. All the best for a great 2015.

So glad you’re doing this! Looking forward to seeing you in Barcelona, as a full-time speaker. Justine 🙂

Thanks, Justine! I appreciate the support. All the best for 2015 and see you in Barcelona! John

Very inspirational post! Best of luck in your new endeavours, John! Will you be moving to Barcelona or it’s just for the March event? Best regards, Mariyana

Hi Mariyana. Many thanks for the good wishes. I won’t be moving to Barcelona (much as I love the city) but I have been traveling there for work two or three times per year for the last couple of years.

Good luck in this new adventure! Find here a nice article from the Economist last Xmas double issue about Hernán Cortés: http://www.economist.com/news/christmas-specials/21636686-journey-past-most-mexicans-would-rather-forget-trail-hern-n

Thank you, Javier. I appreciate the good wishes and look forward to reading the article.

That’s awesome And it’s almost 6years now. I’ll love to here the end of the story

Hi Umar. Thanks for the message. I still don’t know how the story will end, but the journey has been tremendous. Certainly there have been challenges, but the rewards have been worth it.

John, late to the party and this post. Very helpful. Thanks.

Thanks for the comment, Bobby. And given that the Internet is forever, can one ever really be late?

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Please enter an answer in digits: 2 × three =

Testimonials

John delivered a keynote address about the importance of public speaking to 80 senior members of Gore’s Medical Device Europe team at an important sales event. He was informative, engaging and inspirational. Everyone was motivated to improve their public speaking skills. Following his keynote, John has led public speaking workshops for Gore in Barcelona and Munich. He is an outstanding speaker who thinks carefully about the needs of his audience well before he steps on stage.

Karsta Goetze

TA Leader, Gore and Associates

I first got in touch with John while preparing to speak at TED Global about my work on ProtonMail. John helped me to sharpen the presentation and get on point faster, making the talk more focused and impactful. My speech was very well received, has since reached almost 1.8 million people and was successful in explaining a complex subject (email encryption) to a general audience.

CEO, Proton Technologies

John gave the opening keynote on the second day of our unit’s recent offsite in Geneva, addressing an audience of 100+ attendees with a wealth of tips and techniques to deliver powerful, memorable presentations. I applied some of these techniques the very next week in an internal presentation, and I’ve been asked to give that presentation again to senior management, which has NEVER happened before. John is one of the greatest speakers I know and I can recommend his services without reservation.

David Lindelöf

Senior Data Scientist, Expedia Group

After a morning of team building activities using improvisation as the conduit, John came on stage to close the staff event which was organised in Chamonix, France. His energy and presence were immediately felt by all the members of staff. The work put into the preparation of his speech was evident and by sharing some his own stories, he was able to conduct a closing inspirational speech which was relevant, powerful and impactful for all at IRU. The whole team left feeling engaged and motivated to tackle the 2019 objectives ahead. Thank you, John.

Umberto de Pretto

Secretary General, World Road Transport Organization

I was expecting a few speaking tips and tricks and a few fun exercises, but you went above and beyond – and sideways. You taught me to stand tall. You taught me to anchor myself. You taught me to breathe. You taught me to open up. You taught me to look people in the eye. You taught me to tell the truth. You taught me to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes. I got more than I bargained for in the best possible way.

Thuy Khoc-Bilon

World Cancer Day Campaign Manager, Union for International Cancer Control

John gave a brilliant presentation on public speaking during the UN EMERGE programme in Geneva (a two days workshop on leadership development for a group of female staff members working in the UN organizations in Geneva). His talk was inspirational and practical, thanks to the many techniques and tips he shared with the audience. His teaching can dramatically change our public speaking performance and enable us as presenters to have a real and powerful impact. Thank you, John, for your great contribution!

HR Specialist, World Health Organization

John is a genuine communication innovator. His seminars on gamification of public speaking learning and his interactive Rhetoric game at our conference set the tone for change and improvement in our organisation. The quality of his input, the impact he made with his audience and his effortlessly engaging style made it easy to get on board with his core messages and won over some delegates who were extremely skeptical as to the efficacy of games for learning. I simply cannot recommend him highly enough.

Thomas Scott

National Education Director, Association of Speakers Clubs UK

John joined our Global Sales Meeting in Segovia, Spain and we all participated in his "Improv(e) your Work!" session. I say “all” because it really was all interactive, participatory, learning and enjoyable. The session surprised everybody and was a fresh-air activity that brought a lot of self-reflection and insights to improve trust and confidence in each other inside our team. It´s all about communication and a good manner of speaking!"

General Manager Europe, Hayward Industries

Thank you very much for the excellent presentation skills session. The feedback I received was very positive. Everyone enjoyed the good mix of listening to your speech, co-developing a concrete take-away and the personal learning experience. We all feel more devoted to the task ahead, more able to succeed and an elevated team spirit. Delivering this in a short time, both in session and in preparation, is outstanding!

Henning Dehler

CFO European Dairy Supply Chain & Operations, Danone

Thanks to John’s excellent workshop, I have learned many important tips and techniques to become an effective public speaker. John is a fantastic speaker and teacher, with extensive knowledge of the field. His workshop was a great experience and has proven extremely useful for me in my professional and personal life.

Eric Thuillard

Senior Sales Manager, Sunrise Communications

John’s presentation skills training was a terrific investment of my time. I increased my skills in this important area and feel more comfortable when speaking to an audience. John provided the right mix between theory and practice.

Diego Brait

Director of the Jura Region, BKW Energie AG

Be BOLD. Those two words got stuck in my head and in the heads of all those ADP leaders and associates that had the privilege to see John on stage. He was our keynote speaker at our annual convention in Barcelona, and his message still remains! John puts his heart in every word. Few speakers are so credible, humble and yet super strong with large audiences!

Guadalupe Garcia

Senior Director and Talent Partner, ADP International

The Greatest Speech in History? Alexander the Great & The Opis Mutiny

• Read Later  

Alexander the Great's achievements make him one of the most exceptional figures in history. He ascended to the throne of the small Greek kingdom of Macedonia at the age of just 20 in 336 BC. In the span of twelve years before his death, he established Macedonian overlordship on Greece, vanquished the mighty Persian Empire, and led his army into modern-day Afghanistan and the Indian frontier.

During his campaign, Alexander faced a mutiny by his Macedonian soldiers at the Babylonian city Opis. They were unhappy about his decision to send some of them back home while appearing to favor his new Asian subjects and adopting their customs. According to Roman historian Arrian's "The Anabasis," Alexander responded ruthlessly by dealing with the leaders before making a speech to his army in which he berated his troops for their disloyalty. Some say it is one of the greatest speeches in history.

Top image: Ancient Greek general Alexander the Great. Source:  Andrew Zimmerman / Adobe Stock.

By  Joanna Gillan

More romantic hokum.

We don’t know—can’t know—what Alexander or anyone else said before the age of mechanical or electronic recordings. Tradition be damned; I say this is made up nonsense.

Like Shakespeare, just out of some writer’s mind? 

But on Alexander, the man, how much do we really know?  They say he died young, early 30’s.  But how?  Complications of surgery to relieve his Gordian Knot, ...which his men knew, had to be untangled/reconciled the age-old way: slowly, with diligence, and righteous intent?  

Nobody gets paid to tell the truth.

Joanna Gillan is a Co-Owner, Editor and Writer of Ancient Origins. 

Joanna completed a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) degree in Australia and published research in the field of Educational Psychology. She has a rich and varied career, ranging from teaching... Read More

Related Articles on Ancient-Origins

Great speeches from Great leaders – Alexander the Great’s speech at the Mutiny of Opis

A year before his premature death, Alexander the Great’s Macedonian troops rebelled as he appeared to be placing his Persian subjects in higher regard than his own countrymen. These fellow Macedonians had campaigned with him for a decade as he swept East to the Himalayas. In order to quell this mutiny, rather than use force or aggression, he used the power of persuasion through an inspirational speech. The content of the speech is provided below. What strikes me about this speech is his ability to outline all of his armies great accomplishments, how he specified how many positive outcomes they had reached together, how there was no ‘them versus us’, that they were a team and that in fact if anyone was serving in the dynamic it was actually Alexander who was the one serving. In truth, what he did in this speech was evidence of how much of a real leader he really was. Effectively the speech can be summed up by what Plato said ‘He who is not a good servant will not be a good master’. After this speech, all talk of mutiny disappeared and his Macedonian army reaffirmed their allegiance to him. All great battles are not just won on the battlefield. Here is the speech (provided by Arrian the Greek):

“Macedonians, my speech will not be aimed at stopping your urge to return home; as far as I am concerned you may go where you like. But I want you to realize on departing what I have done for you, and what you have done for me. Let me begin, as is right, with my father Philip. He found you wandering about without resources, many of you clothed in sheepskins and pasturing small flocks in the mountains, defending them with difficulty against the Illyrians, Triballians and neighbouring Thracians. He gave you cloaks to wear instead of sheepskins, brought you down from the mountains to the plains, and made you a match in war for the neighbouring barbarians, owing your safety to your own bravery and no longer to reliance on your mountain strongholds. He made you city dwellers and civilized you with good laws and customs. Those barbarians who used to harass you and plunder your property, he made you their leaders instead of their slaves and subjects. He annexed much of Thrace to Macedonia, seized the most favourable coastal towns and opened up the country to commerce, and enabled you to exploit your mines undisturbed. He made you governors of the Thessalians, before whom you used to die of fright, humbled the Phocians and so opened a broad and easy path into Greece in place of a narrow and difficult one. The Athenians and Thebans, who were permanently poised to attack Macedonia, he so humbled (and I was now helping him in this task) that instead of you paying tribute to the Athenians and being under the sway of the Thebans, they now, in turn, had to seek their safety from us. He marched into the Peloponnese and settled matters there too. He was appointed commander-in-chief of all Greece for the campaign against the Persians, but preferred to assign the credit to all the Macedonians rather than just to himself. Such were the achievements of my father on your behalf; as you can see for yourselves, they are great, and yet small in comparison with my own. I inherited from my father a few gold and silver cups, and less than 60 talents in the treasury; Philip had debts amounting to 500 talents, and I raised a loan of a further 800. I started from a country that could barely sustain you and immediately opened up the Hellespont for you, although the Persians then held the mastery of the sea. I defeated in a cavalry engagement the satraps of Darius and annexed to your rule the whole of Ionia and Aeolis, both Phrygias and Lydia, and took Miletus by storm. All the rest came over to our side spontaneously, and I made them yours for you to enjoy. All the wealth of Egypt and Cyrene, which I won without a fight, are now yours, Coele Syria, Palestine and Mesopotamia are your possession, Babylonia and Bactria and Elam belong to you, you own the wealth of Lydia, the treasures of Persia, the riches of India, and the outer ocean. You are satraps, you are generals, you are captains. As for me, what do I have left from all these labors? Merely this purple cloak and a diadem.”