He also took two more wives for himself. The evidence is carefully reviewed by Daniel Ogden in an article in the volume Alexander the Great: A New History (edd. The Macedonians were less than thrilled with the changes in Alexander and his attempt to be viewed as a deity. He was an impassioned champion of a strong federal government, and played a key role in defending ...read more, 1. From Halicarnassus, Alexander headed north to Gordium, home of the fabled Gordian knot, a group of tightly-entwined knots yoked to an ancient wagon. Alexander the Great was born in the Pella region of the Ancient Greek kingdom of Macedonia on July 20, 356 B.C., to parents King Philip II of Macedon and Queen Olympia, daughter of King Neoptolemus. He amassed a large fleet, finally breached the city’s walls in July 332 B.C. Author of. Timeline of events in the life of Alexander the Great, also known as Alexander III or Alexander of Macedonia. Alexander had on several occasions encouraged favourable comparison of his own accomplishments with those of Dionysus or Heracles. to King Philip II and Queen Olympias—although legend had it his father was none other than Zeus, the ruler of the Greek gods. Alexander the Great Quotes. Conquest of the Mediterranean coast and Egypt, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alexander-the-Great, History World - History of Alexander The Great, The Mariner's Museum and Park - Ages of Exploration - Biography of Alexander the Great, JewishEncyclopedia.com - Biography of Alexander The Great, Social Studies for Kids - Biography of Alexander the Great, Livius - Biography of Alexander the Great, PBS LearningMedia - The Rise of Alexander the Great, Ancient History Encyclopedia - Biography of Alexander the Great, Alexander the Great - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Alexander the Great - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). But he’d never live to see it happen. His troops were extremely loyal, believing in him throughout all hardships. He also dispatched Heracleides, an officer, to explore the Hyrcanian (i.e., Caspian) Sea. He ...read more, Alexander Hamilton Stephens (1812-1883) served as vice president of the Confederate States of America during the Civil War (1861-65). In November 332 he reached Egypt. Moreover, he needed the wealth of Persia if he was to maintain the army built by Philip and pay off the 500 talents he owed. After his death, nearly all the noble Susa marriages dissolved, which shows that the Macedonians despised the idea. He accomplished things that just about anyone since then hasn’t been able to accomplish. In the meantime (winter 333–332) the Persians had counterattacked by land in Asia Minor—where they were defeated by Antigonus, the satrap of Greater Phrygia—and by sea, recapturing a number of cities and islands. On the site of modern Leninabad (Khojent) on the Jaxartes, he founded a city, Alexandria Eschate, “the farthest.” Meanwhile, Spitamenes had raised all Sogdiana in revolt behind him, bringing in the Massagetai, a people of the Shaka confederacy. $1.37. Shortly afterward, father and son were reconciled and Alexander returned, but his position as heir was jeopardized. Little is known about Alexander’s three-year tutelage but ...read more, In the ancient world, the young and dashing Alexander the Great led his army from northern Greece to what is now Pakistan, leading from the front, killing enemies with sword and spear, ordering executions and massacres, even stabbing one old friend to death in a drunken rage. He founded two cities there, Alexandria Nicaea (to celebrate his victory) and Bucephala (named after his horse Bucephalus, which died there); and Porus became his ally. When the Thebans refused to surrender, he made an entry and razed their city to the ground, sparing only temples and Pindar’s house; 6,000 were killed and all survivors sold into slavery. San Jose State University. Ten thousand veterans were now sent back to Macedonia with gifts, and the crisis was surmounted. This policy of racial fusion brought increasing friction to Alexander’s relations with his Macedonians, who had no sympathy for his changed concept of the empire. He had grown up to the idea. Not one to take “no” for an answer, Alexander sent some of his men to scale the rock and take the Sogdians by surprise. In early 324 B.C., Alexander reached the city of Susa in Persia. In midsummer 330 Alexander set out for the eastern provinces at a high speed via Rhagae (modern Rayy, near Tehrān) and the Caspian Gates, where he learned that Bessus, the satrap of Bactria, had deposed Darius. Alexander was the son of the King of Macedon, Philip II and his fourth wife Olympias. Alexander the Great, also known as Alexander III or Alexander of Macedonia, (born 356 bce, Pella, Macedonia [northwest of Thessaloníki, Greece]—died June 13, 323 bce, Babylon [near Al-Ḥillah, Iraq]), king of Macedonia (336–323 bce), who overthrew the Persian empire, carried Macedonian arms to India, and laid the foundations for the Hellenistic world of territorial kingdoms. At Memphis Alexander sacrificed to Apis, the Greek term for Hapi, the sacred Egyptian bull, and was crowned with the traditional double crown of the pharaohs; the native priests were placated and their religion encouraged. Alexander wanted to press on and attempt to conquer all of India, but his war-weary soldiers refused, and his officers convinced him to return to Persia. After conquering Egypt, Alexander faced Darius and his massive troops at Gaugamela in October 331 B.C. By turns charismatic and ruthless, brilliant and power hungry, diplomatic and bloodthirsty, Alexander inspired such loyalty in his men they’d follow him anywhere and, if necessary, die in the process. Alexander now proceeded farther with the policy of replacing senior officials and executing defaulting governors on which he had already embarked before leaving India. By now it was clear that Alexander was a shrewd, ruthless and brilliant military leader—in fact, he never lost a battle in his life. His determination to incorporate Persians on equal terms in the army and the administration of the provinces was bitterly resented. Diadochi and the Hellenistic Period. After relentless pursuit by Alexander, Bessus’s troops handed Bessus over to Ptolemy, Alexander’s good friend, and he was mutilated and executed. to its conquest by Alexander the Great in 332 B.C.—ancient Egypt was the preeminent civilization in the Mediterranean world. Ancient History Encyclopedia. While there’s some controversy over whether Bell was the true ...read more, For almost 30 centuries—from its unification around 3100 B.C. Rathbone Professor Emeritus of Ancient History and Classical Archaeology, University of Liverpool. He took another approach and sliced through the knot with his sword, claiming triumph. Alexander the Great leading his forces against the retreating Persian army led by Darius III at the Battle of Issus in 333. Both in Egypt and elsewhere in the Greek cities he received divine honours. Alexander was victorious in the two key battles at Issus and Gaugamela, and Darius was murdered by conspirators soon afterward. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. In the winter of 324 Alexander carried out a savage punitive expedition against the Cossaeans in the hills of Luristan. : Did Alexander the Great discovered in the two key battles at Issus and Gaugamela, and several he. 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