Definition
Alexander III (356-323 BC), king of Macedon is best known as "Alexander the Great" for his conquest of Persia, which was instrumental in creating the hellenic world by spreading Greek culture across Asia Minor, Mesopotamia, Persia, and even India.
He succeeded his father Philip II of Macedon and was appointed commander of the army that was being assembled for war against Persia. He and his army of 32,000 infantry and 5,100 cavalry invaded Persian-controlled Asia Minor in 334 BC. He paid attention to make his conquest appear as divinely-sanctioned as possible by visiting Achilles' tomb, reminiscing of the Trojan war.
He was victorious against the Persian at the Granicus river (334 BC), Issus in Syria (333 BC), and Gaugalmela in Assyria (331 BC). His enemy, king Darius III of Persia was killed by his own followers in 330 BC. In 331 BC Alexander conquered the Persian province of Egypt where, unlike previous conquerors, he respected local religious traditions and was thus crowned Pharao and named "son of Zeus Ammon" by the oracle of Siwa.
Alexander then went on to conquer Babylon, Persepolis, Bactria (where he married Roxanne in 327 BC), and Transoxania. After vanquishing several Indian kings and reaching the river Ganges, he was stopped by his own troops who were tired and scared to not see their family and home again. He returned to Babylon where he died in 323 BC. When asked who should inherit his empire, he answered: "The strongest."
He succeeded his father Philip II of Macedon and was appointed commander of the army that was being assembled for war against Persia. He and his army of 32,000 infantry and 5,100 cavalry invaded Persian-controlled Asia Minor in 334 BC. He paid attention to make his conquest appear as divinely-sanctioned as possible by visiting Achilles' tomb, reminiscing of the Trojan war.
He was victorious against the Persian at the Granicus river (334 BC), Issus in Syria (333 BC), and Gaugalmela in Assyria (331 BC). His enemy, king Darius III of Persia was killed by his own followers in 330 BC. In 331 BC Alexander conquered the Persian province of Egypt where, unlike previous conquerors, he respected local religious traditions and was thus crowned Pharao and named "son of Zeus Ammon" by the oracle of Siwa.
Alexander then went on to conquer Babylon, Persepolis, Bactria (where he married Roxanne in 327 BC), and Transoxania. After vanquishing several Indian kings and reaching the river Ganges, he was stopped by his own troops who were tired and scared to not see their family and home again. He returned to Babylon where he died in 323 BC. When asked who should inherit his empire, he answered: "The strongest."
Articles
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Diodorus Siculus, the 1st century BCE historian, took great pride in precision of description but, even so, could not refrain from adding his own personal views and interpretations...
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One of the most effective and enduring military formations in ancient warfare was that of the Greek Phalanx. The age of the Phalanx may be traced back to Sumeria in the 25th century BCE, through Egypt...
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After securing the eastern Mediterranean seaboard and Egypt, Alexander pushed east into Mesopotamia with the intention of bringing Darius to battle. After crossing the Euphrates river unopposed...
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After defeating Darius III at the battle of Issus in November 333 BC, Alexander marched his army (about 35,000-40,000 strong) into Phoenicia, where he received the capitulation...
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Illustrations
Links
- Alexander the Great: background- Hermitage Amsterdam
http://www.hermitage.nl/en/pers/alexander_de_grote/achtergrond.htm - La recherche du tombeau d'Alexandre le Grand
http://egyptologie.suite101.fr/article.cfm/le-tombeau-dalexandre-le-grand - L'oracle d'Amon dans l'oasis égyptienne de Siwa
http://egyptologie.suite101.fr/article.cfm/loracle-damon-dans-loasis-egyptienne-de-siwa
Alexander the Great Books
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Penguin Classics (28 October 1976)Price: $11.56 -
Penguin Classics (30 September 1973)Price: $10.20 -
Penguin Classics (24 February 1983)Price: $7.92 -
MacMay (07 September 2008)Currently unavailable -
Yale University Press (28 January 2008)Price: $13.60
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