Alexander reminds his men that they were 'vagabonds and destitute' to highlight the change in their fortunes from poor shepherds to wealthy soldiers, reinforcing loyalty and motivation.
Alexander tells his men they were “vagabonds and destitute” (paragraph 1) mainly to remind them that they were poor shepherds before Phillip changed their fortunes. The statement serves to highlight the transformation in their status, brought on by the leadership and campaigns of Alexander's father, Phillip II of Macedon, who turned their lives around from being impoverished and insignificant to becoming prosperous and esteemed. This moment of reflection is used to reinforce their loyalty and possibly their motivation to continue following Alexander's lead, leveraging their shared history of past hardships and collective advancement.
Alexander tells his men they were "vagabonds and destitute" (paragraph 1) mainly to remind them that they were poor shepherds before Phillip changed their fortunes. By describing them as vagabonds and destitute, Alexander was emphasizing their humble origins and how their current wealth and success were a result of the transformative leadership of Phillip. This reminds the men of their past and reinforces their loyalty to Phillip and their commitment to their current mission.