| ALEXANDER THE GREAT, Project by JJP MEDIATIME NETWORK Alexandros III Philippou Makedonon (Alexander the Great, Alexander III of Macedon) (356-323 B.C.), King of Macedonia, born in late July 356 BC in Pella, Macedonia, one of the greatest military genius in history. He conquered much of what was then the civilized world, governed by his divine ambition of the world conquest and creation of universal world monarchy. Arrian describes Alexander: the strong, handsome commander with one eye dark as a night and one blue as a sky, always leading his army on his faithful Bucephalo. Alexander inherited from his father King Philip the best military formation of the time, the Macedonian Phalanx, armed with sarisses - the fearful five and half meter long spears. He was the first great conqueror which has reached, Greece, Egypt , Asia Minor, and Asia till Afghanistan and India. He is famous for having created ethnic fusion between the Macedonians and the Persians. From victory to victory, from triumph to triumph Alexander created empire which had marked history and brought him eternal glory. Alexander has brought Greek ideas, culture and mentality to the conquered countries and assured expansion and domination of the Hellenistic Culture which together with the Roman Civilization and Christianity presents the fundaments of what is now called Western Civilization. Kingdom of Macedon (SE) Return to index. 90ì Alexander's Origins July 357 His parents were Olympias and Philip II and according to some legends and oracles Alexander has divine origins: Zeus andOlympias. Alexander was born at Pella in Macedonia in the late July of 356 BC, on the same day as the famous Temple of Artemis at Ephesus was burned. His father, Philip II of Macedon, was brilliant ruler and strategist. His mother was Olympias, princess of Epirus, daughter of King Neoptolemus. Olympias was initiated to Dionysiastic and Orpheic cults. She was often jealous, vindictive and very protective of Alexander. The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, one of the largest temples built by the Greeks around 550 B.C. Olympias' ancestor was mythic hero from Illiad - Achilles, while his father Philip II of Macedon, descends from the Zeus' son -Hercules. Related articles on the net: Alexander's Origins , Plutarch The dynasty of Argeidos Alexander's Birth, Plutarch Alexander's origin and controversies according various traditions PERSEUS PROJECT, son of Philip, an Epirot and Aeacid by mother's side: Paus.1.9.8 PERSEUS PROJECT, reputed son of Ammon: Paus. 4.14.8 The UnMuseum - The Temple of Artemis DIONYSOS LINKS Return to index. 0 Alexander, Prince of Macedon 344 Even as a young boy Alexander was fearless and strong. He, in the age of 12 years,tamed the beautiful and spirited Bucephalus (ox-head in Greek), a horse that no one elsecould ride. Philip was so proud of Alexander's horsemanship that he said: O my son, seek out a kingdom worthy of thyself, for Macedonia is too little for thee.Later, this famous stallion carried him as far as India till Hydaspes river, where he died.There Alexander had built the city of Bucephala, in memory of his beloved horse. Prince Alexander was even more ambitious than his father; he was even desperate whenhe heard of Philip's conquests: My father will get ahead of me in everything, and will leave nothing great for me to do. Alexander knew by heart the Iliad. He loved Homer, and always slept with a copy of the Iliad under his pillow. His first teacher was Leonidas, a relative of Olympias. Leonidas instilled inAlexander his ascetic nature which became famous during his future campaigns,where he lived simply, in Spartan way, eating and sleeping together with his troops.Leonidas was replaced with Lysimachus, who taught Prince Alexander to play thelyre, and appreciate the arts. Plutarch writes: The care of his education, as it might be presumed, wascommitted to a great many attendants, preceptors, and teachers, over the whole of whom Leonidas, a near kinsman of Olympias, a man of an austere temper, presided, who did not indeed himself decline the name of what in reality is a noble and honorable office, but in general his dignity, and his near relationship, obtained him from other people the title of Alexander's foster father and governor. But he who took upon him the actual place and style of his pedagogue was Lysimachus the Acarnanian, who, though he had nothing to recommend him, but his lucky fancy of calling himself Phoenix, AlexanderAchilles and Philip Peleus, was therefore well enough esteemed, and ranked inthe next degree after Leonidas. Alexander from age 13 to 16, at the Mieza temple - about 30 kilometers from the royal palace at Pella, together with theother boys belonging to the Macedonian aristocracy was taught by Aristotle, who introduced them to the world of arts andsciences. Alexander, Prince Regent 340 During Philip's expedition against the Byzantium in 340, Alexander, then sixteen years old was left in Macedonia in the charge of royal seal; Alexander in the mean time was not idle, he reduced the rebellious Maedi, a Thracian tribe to obedience. He took their capital town by storm, drove out the barbarous inhabitants, and created a colony of several nations in their room, called the town after his own name, Alexandropolis. Philip's politics was not appreciated by the Athenians, and Demosthenes considered him semi-barbarian. Obviously the Macedonian hegemony presented the threat for independent politics ofAthens. Related articles on the net: Aristotle and Alexander Hephaistion Bucephalus- various traditions PERSEUS PROJECT, wives and sons: Paus. 9.7.2 PERSEUS PROJECT, passionate nature: Paus. 6.18.2 PERSEUS PROJECT, good fortune: Paus.4.35.4, Paus.7.10.3 PERSEUS PROJECT, Aristotle's influence with him: Paus. 6.4.8 PERSEUS PROJECT, house at Megalopolis: Paus. 8.32.1 PERSEUS PROJECT, makes Chaeron tyrant of Pellene: Paus. 7.27.7 Return to index. 0 Philip's Kingdom September 338 At the battle of Chaeronea Philip defeated the allied Greek states of the Sacred Band of Thebes in September 338 BC. at thetime Alexander was only 18, when he commanded the left wing of Philip's cavalry, and demonstrated personal courage inbreaking the Sacred Band of Thebes. It is said he has been the first man that charged the Thebans' sacred band. Although Philip's army was greatly outnumbered by the Athenian and Theban troops, the Macedonian phalanxes triumphed over the Athenians and Thebans. Athens and Thebes became Philip's subjects. Sparta remained the only Greek state not under Macedonian control. This early bravery made Philip so proud of Alexander, that nothing pleased him more than to hear his subjects call himself their general and Alexander their king. 337BC. At the Council at Corinth, Philip imposed his politic system to the Greek states (with exception of Sparta); Philip gave freedom and autonomy to all the political parties in each state, establishing an administrative system that would be stable and loyal to him. In 337 divorced Olympias. After a quarrel at a wedding feast, Alexander and his mother left Macedonia. Few months later, they were reconciled and Alexander returned; but his life was in danger... 337 BC. With the support of almost all Greece, Philip declared war on Persia. In the spring of 336 BC,Philip sent Attalus and Parmenion with the army of 10,000 men into Asia Minor to begin with theliberation of Greek coastal cities. Before Philip himself went to Asia to begin the conquest, he wasassassinated. Related articles: Geopolitic map of Macedonia during Philip II PERSEUS PROJECT, Congress at Corinth,Diodorus,Historical Library 16.89.1 PERSEUS PROJECT, War with Persia,Diodorus,Historical Library 16.91.1 PERSEUS PROJECT, Philip's last days,Diodorus,Historical Library 16.93.1 PERSEUS PROJECT, Assassination of Philip,Diodorus,Historical Library 16.94.1, 16.95.1 The Murder of Philip II Return to index. 0 0 King is dead, Long live the King. Spring- Autumn 336 BC Philip on his way to the theater during the wedding celebration of his daughter with the Olympias' brother, Alexander of Epirus, in July 336, was assassinated by the Macedonian officer Pausanias at Ege - antique capital of Macedonian Kingdom. Alexander was immediately presented to the army as new king of Macedon. He established his authority far more firmly than anyone did suppose possible; he was only 20 and for this reason not uniformly respected. Alexander himself took the principal advantage of the murder, and he has been suspected of complicity, especially because, as only half of Macedonian blood, he was not universally popular. He addressed himself to the embassies which were present and in affable fashion bade the Greek polises to maintain towards him the same loyalty which they had demonstrated to his father. Philip's last wife, Cleopatra had borne a daughter few days before his assassination, while Attalus, her uncle and guardian had been sent on ahead into Asia to share the command of the forces with Parmenion. He had acquired great popularity in the army. He at once executed all alleged to be behind Philip's murder along with all possible rivals and the whole fraction opposed to him. The known victims of this purge were Alexander's ownrivals: his older cousin Philip's nephew Amyntas, son of King Perdiccas III; the principal family of Alexander of Lyncestis,although he himself was spared; and Philip's wife Cleopatra and her infant daughter, killed by Olympias. A possible rival for the throne remained Attalus; Cleopatra's (the last Philip's wife) uncle has been disaffected because of themurder of Cleopatra and her daughter, but he had not claim the throne of Macedonia, he was loyal to Philip and hostile to hisassassin. Alexander determined to eliminate Attalus discreetly. Alexander had good reason to fear that he might challenge hisrule, making common cause with those of the Greeks who opposed him, and selected among his friends a certain Hecataeusfrom Cardia and sent him off to Asia with a number of soldiers, under orders to bring back Attalus, accused for high treason,alive if he could, but if not, to assassinate him. Related articles on the net: Philip's Assassination , Plutarch PERSEUS PROJECT, Alexander establishes his authority, Diodorus, Historical Library 17.2.1 Return to index. Consolidation of Kingdom & European Campaigns He then marched south, stabilized Thessaly, and at an assembly of the Greek League at Corinth was appointed the strategosautocrator (the supreme commander) of all Greeks for the expected invasion of Persian Empire, previously planned andinitiated by Philip. On his return to Macedonia by way of Delphi, the Pythian priestess acclaimed him invincible. 335 BC He started with blitz campaigns against the Triballi and Ilyrians, which took him across the Danube. He marched into Thrace inspring 335 and, after forcing the Shipka Pass and crushing the Triballi, crossed the Danube to reduce to obedience Getae andCeltic tribes; turning west, he then defeated and shattered a coalition of Ilyrians who had invaded Macedonia. The Greek states had grown restless under Macedonian hegemony, and Greeks didnot support its supremacy. In the meantime a rumor of Alexander's death in Illyria hadcaused a revolt of Thebans, favored partly by the Athenians and some other Greekstates (Arcadia, Eolia, Etholia). He reached Thessaly in seven days and as in Boeotia fivedays later. So only in 14 days Alexander marched 380 km from Pelion in Illyria toThebes. When the Thebans refused to surrender, he made an entry and razed their cityto the ground, sparing only temples and poet Pindar's house; 6,000 were killed and30,000 survivors sold into slavery, for 440 Talents of silver. Related articles: PERSEUS PROJECT, the danger over the Thebans,Diodorus,HistoricalLibrary 17.10.1 PERSEUS PROJECT, destroys Thebes: Paus.4.27.10,7.6.9, 7.17.2, 9.6.5 ., 9.7.1,9.23.5,9.25.10 PERSEUS PROJECT, Greeks suffer at his hands: Paus.1.4.1 The destruction of Thebe Timoclea The other Greek states were frightened by this cruelty, and Alexander could afford himself to treat Athens diplomatically,while Macedonian garrisons were left in Corinth, Chalcis and the Cadmea. Related articles: PERSEUS PROJECT, Greek states do recognisie Alexander's leadership, Diodorus,HistoricalLibrary 17.04.1 Diogenes 0 Beginnings of the Alexander invasion of Persia Alexander had matured the idea of the Persian expedition. He alsoneeded the Persian wealth to maintain the army built by his father and payoff the 500 talents he owed to the ten thousand, Greek professional troops,and of Agesilaus of Sparta. Alexander's army in successful campaign inPersian territory had demonstrated the weaknesses of the Persian Empire.With a good cavalry he could expect the victory over any Persian army. Thereason of invasion of Asia was to liberate the Greek cities taken by thePersians some years before. In spring 334 he crossed the Dardanelles,Hellespont leaving Antipater, the general and friend of his father, as hisdeputy in Europe with over 13,000 soldiers. Alexander himself commandedabout 30,000 foot and over 5,000 cavalry, of whom nearly 14,000 wereMacedonians and about 7,000 allies of Greek League. This army hadexcellent mixture of arms; the light armed Cretan and Macedonian archers,Thracians, and the Agrianian javelin men; the striking force was the cavalry,and the core of the army was the infantry phalanx, 9,000 strong, armed withshield sand five and half meter long spears, sarise, and the 3,000 men of theroyal troops, the hypaspists. Alexander's second in command wasParmenio, who had secured a foothold in Asia Minor during Philip's lifetime;many of his family and supporters were entrenched in responsible positions.The army was accompanied by explorers, engineers, architects, scientists, court officials and historians. 0 PERSEUS PROJECT, makes war on Darius: Paus. 6.17.5 0 The Battle of Granicus Spring334 On the way he stopped at Troy and after visiting Ilium, at the Granicus River, near the Sea of Marmara (May/June 334). heconfronted his first Persian army which was led by three satraps. The Persian plan to tempt Alexander across the river and kill him in the melee almost succeeded; but the Persian line broke, and Alexander's victory was complete. This victory opened western Asia Minor to the Macedonians, and most cities opened their gates. The tyrants were expelled, and in contrast to Macedonian policy in Europe, in Asia were installed democracies. Alexander confirmed his Panhellenic policy, symbolized in the sending of 300 panoplies, i.e. armor sets, taken at the Granicus as an offering dedicated to Athena at Athens by "Alexander the son of Philip, and the Grecians, except the Lacedaemonians (Spartans), won these from the barbarians who inhabit Asia." The cities remained de facto under Alexander, and his nomination Calas as satrap of Hellespontine Phrygia confirmed his intention to succeed the Great King of Persia. Related articles: The Battle of Granicus TheCampaigns of Alexander PERSEUS PROJECT, Granicus,the battle of, Diodorus,HistoricalLibrary17.20.1 PERSEUS PROJECT, Granicus,the battle of, Diodorus,HistoricalLibrary 17.21.1 The conquest of Persian empire had become more realistic than in 346: Artaxerxes III had died in 338, and the new king was the much weaker Darius II (he succeeded in 336, after the brief reign of Arses,whom the trilingual inscription found at Xanthus in 1973 shows that he has bornewith the title Artaxerxes IV). When city of Miletus opposed, encouraged by the closeness of the Persian fleet,Alexander took it by assault; without a maritime battle: he disbanded his expensive navyand decided to defeat the Persian fleet on land, by occupying the coastal cities. In Caria,Halicarnassus resisted and was destroyed; but Ada, the widow and sister of the satrapIdrieus, adopted Alexander as her son and Alexander appointed her as a satrap of Caria.However, until 332 some parts of Caria held out. On his way toward Babylon, Alexanderwon several important battles. Related articles: Sarcophagus,Constantinople, Archeology museum1 Sarcophagus,Constantinople, Archeology museum2 Sarcophagus,Constantinople, Archeology museum3 Sarcophagus,Constantinople, Archeology museum4 Return to index. AsiaMinor 333 BC Alexander conquered western part of Asia Minor in winter 334-333, reducing to obedience the hill tribes of Lycia andPisidia; and in spring 333 he advanced along the coastal road to Perga. At Gordium in Phrygia, tradition records his cutting ofthe Gordian knot, which could only be loosed by the man who was to rule Asia. At this point Alexander benefited from thesudden death of Memnon, the competent Greek commander of the Persian fleet. From Gordium he moved to Ancyra and thensouth through Cappadocia and the Cilician Gates. In the meantime, Darius with his Grand Army had advanced northward onthe eastern side of Mt.Amanus. The Battle of Issus Intelligence on both sides was imprecise, and the two armies had infact been advancing randomly. Alexander was alreadyencamped by Myriandrus (near modern Iskenderun, Turkey) when he find out that Darius was astride his line ofcommunications at Issus, north of Alexander's position (autumn333). Alexander came head to head with King Darius during theBattle of Issus on the north-east Mediterranean coast. Although Alexander was advancing south he was surprised to findDarius approaching from his North! Turning, Alexander found Darius drawn up along the Pinarus River. In the battle thatfollowed, Alexander won a decisive victory, and Darius fled, leaving his family in Alexander's hands. Alexander was outnumbered many times (perhaps even 10:1). Even so, he held back a reserve force, for the first time in the military history. After the battle when he had entered in the Darius's tent in all its luxury, golden bath, silk carpets .., while Alexander was known for living in modest spartan conditions by comparison and is reported to have commented: "So this is what it means to be a King." The other famous event that gives us an idea about Alexander's and Hephaestion'sfriendship, when Alexander had captured Darius's throne tent with treasureof 3000 talents of gold ( US$ 1.2 billion, 1TALENT = 27 kg Au), with complete imperial escortent; including Darius's mother, Sisygambis; his wife, Stateira; his harem.and other princesses. When Alexander and Hephaestion went to meet Sisygambis, sheprostrated herself at the feetof the most kingly figure. She chose bythe mistake the taller Hephaestion! Alexander is said to haveresponded rather friendly: "Don't worry mother, he is Alexander too." Alexander treated all the women with great respect "due to theirstation". An interesting fact is that later when Sisygambis had anopportunity to return to Persians, she had refused. Related articles and paintings on the net: PaoloVeronese: The Family of Darius before Alexander Alexander's Generosity, Plutarch Return to index. Conquestof Syria, Phoenicia and Egypt 332 BC With the intention to isolate the Persian fleet from its maritime bases and so to destroy it as an effective fighting force, fromIssus Alexander marched south into Syria and Phoenicia. The Phoenician cities Marathus and Aradus came over with noresistance. In reply to a letter from Darius offering peace, Alexander replied with detemination, demanding unconditionalsurrender to himself as lord of Asia. After taking Byblos and Sidon , he met serious resistance at Tyre, where he was refused entry into the island city. The Tyrianswalled themselves in their island fortress. Alexander couldn't leave them to attack his rear and he could not attack by sea so hedecided to build a land bridge, which still exists. He succeeded finally only after seven months, not by land but in a very brutalnaval battle; the Tyrians fired red hot sand at Alexander's fleet. The storming of Tyre in July 332 was Alexander's greatestmilitary achievement; it was attended with great massacre and the sale of the women and children into slavery. In the meantime (winter 333-332) the Persians had counter attacked by land in Asia Minor, but they were defeated byAntigonus, the satrap of Greater Phrygia. In the mean time by sea, Persians succeeded to recapture various Jonian cities andislands. During the siege of Tyre, Darius sent a letter with his offer: he wanted to pay ransom of 10,000 talents for his family andcede all his lands west of the Euphrates.On that occasion Alexander's general Parmenio advised him to accept. "I would accept, were I Alexander." Parmenio said ; "I too, were I Parmenio!" was Alexander's famous retort; Leaving Parmenio in Syria, Alexander advanced south without opposition until he reached Gaza on its high mound; therebitter resistance halted him for two months, and he sustained a serious shoulder wound during a sortie. PERSEUS PROJECT, at Tyre,Diodorus,HistoricalLibrary 17.41.1 Alexander in Egypt In November 332 he reached Egypt, and the Egyptians welcomed him as their liberator. The Persian satrap Mazacessurrendered with no resistance. At Memphis Alexander was sacrificed to Apis, (Hapi) , and was crowned with the traditionaldouble crown of the pharaohs of Egypt; the egyptian priests were placated and their religion encouraged. Alexander organized Egypt employing Egyptian governors, while keeping the army under a separate Macedonian command.He founded the city of Alexandria near the western arm of the Nile between the sea and Lake Mareotis, protected by theisland of Pharos, and had it projected by the famous Rhodian architect Deinocrates. From Alexandria he marched along thecoast to Paraetonium and from there inland to visit the celebrated oracle of Amon at Siwah. About 570 B.C., the PharaohAmasis rebuilt a temple in Siwa dedicated to the Amon (also Amun, Ammon). Tradition claims that in Egypt Dionysus founded the oracle of Ammon. One day he was wandering in the waterlessdesert with his followers when they saw a solitary ram. As they followed the animal it disappeared, but a spring ofwater was found where it had been. There the god placed the oracle, and set the ram in in heaven as the constellationof Aries. ...When the gods fled to Egypt from the monstrous Typhon, Dionysus changed himself into goat... The temple oracle was one of the most famous in antiquity and was famed for being able to answer difficult question.According tradition he was descended from the heroes Heracles and Perseus. Both ofthese heroes had visited the oracle intheir lifetime, and Alexander felt it is appropriate that he visit it as well. On Alexander reaching the oracle in its oasis, the priestgave him the traditional salutation of a pharaoh, as son of Ammon; Alexander consulted the oracle and : Oracle proclaimedAlexander the son of Deus - Amon (Zeus). It changed his life for good. Related articles: Siwa Ammon TEMPLE Alexander in Egypt PERSEUS PROJECT, foundslater city of Smyrna: Paus.7.5.1 ff. PERSEUS PROJECT, foundsAlexandria: Paus.5.21.9, Paus.8.33.3 PERSEUS PROJECT, intheTemple of Ammon-Zeus, Diodorus, Historical Library 17.51.1 Alexander the Great PartTwo Bibliographyand on-line references Return to main index. Send remarks or suggestions to: John J. Popovic . © 1996 - 2000 by John J. 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