Last Saturday, 30th July, I took part in a 27 mile walk from Kensington to Beaconsfield in honour of G. K. Chesterton.
Chesterton (1874-1936) was born in the former and is buried in the latter. He was baptised at St. 
Thomas’ C of E church at Campden Hill, where we started our walk, and prior to his death, lived at two homes in Beaconsfield - Overroads and Top Meadow. He was by trade (or profession?) a journalist but also engaged in Catholic apologetics, writing many books and taking part in debates with his friend Hilaire Belloc in one corner and George Bernard Shaw and H. G. Wells in the other. Belloc and Wells couldn’t stand each other but Chesterton could make friends with a brick wall.
Our walk took just over twelve hours - breaks included - and by the end although I was in good spirits I was very footsore. This got me to thinking about the Macedonian army.
Between 336 - 323 Alexander took his men on numerous forced marches. for example, from Thrace to Thebes (Arrian I.7), which he accomplished in a fortnight. On other occasions, the men - and women - had to walk for extended periods through very difficult territory on pain of death; I am thinking here particularly of the Gedrosian desert crossing (Arrian VI.24-27).
What must these walks have done to their feet? I had plasters to cover my blisters; cuts can be covered with ointment. How did the Macedonians dress their injuries? And how strong mentally they must have been to endure these long walks day-after-day: I was done for at the end of Day One!
Anyway, I wish I knew more about ancient Macedonian feet and how they cared for them. Walking on tender feet is horrible but they made a career out of it. As usual, I am in awe. Not so much of Alexander this time, but his very faithful soldiers and camp followers.
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In the photo below: this author on a pontoon bridge somewhere between Ealing and Uxbridge. As can be seen, this bridge doesn’t cross the canal but runs alongside the path while it is being resurfaced. Hephaestion and Perdiccas could not have done a better job.
Photo Credits
Chesterton Way of Wonder
The picture of me S. McCullough
I think the feats accomplished by Macedonian army (and all the followers) are amazing. Nevertheless, imho, the comparison is not fair (to you and most of the modern people). People of that period walked all the time, soldiers trained from a rather tender age. I think it made quite a difference. Obviously, I am quite sure they also had sore feet! 🙂
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