Alexander's Veterans and the Early Wars of the Successors

Roisman calls attention particularly to Hieronymus' tendency to adopt an elitist stance that results in an account favouring the ambitions and actions of the leading generals and suppressing any suggestion of independence of thought or selfless motivation among the soldiers. [...]when commanders and troops are in disagreement, Hieronymus' perspective is that it is the army that is misbehaving; when leaders and soldiers are aligned in their purpose, it is the generals who look good, while the army's role is simply to offer love and respect to their commanders. Given the circumstances-the unexpected loss of the king in the absence of any succession planning, the lack of unity among the leading generals, and the consequent uncertainties about the fate of the monarchy, the army, and the empire-this fighting was perhaps an inevitable precursor of things to come.