Alexander the Great

Macedonia North of Greece Rural people Greeks considered uncivilized Thought of themselves as Greeks

King Philip II Built a powerful army New weapon, sarissa- very long spear Successfully defeated Greek city-states and Thracens United the city-states for an invasion of Persia Assassinated

Young Alexander Claimed descent from Heracles and Achilles Story of Bucephalas the horse Taught by Aristotle- loved the Illiad Early victories in Greece with Phillip

The Invasion- Early On Philip assassinated, Alexander eliminates rivals Put down Greek revolts Leads the invasion of Persia Early victory at Granicus

Battle at Issus Alexander vs. Main Persian Army (Darius III) Darius panics and flees Persian troops demoralized and abandon their positions Greeks chase and massacre Persian Military Greek Military Units Numbers Peltasts 69,000 Persian Immortals 10,000 Greek hoplites Cavalry 11,000 Total 100,000[5] Hoplites 22,000 Peltasts 13,000 Calvery 5850

The Siege of Tyre Would not surrender Famous devastating siege Massacred all the men Women and Children sold into slavery Other cities quickly surrendered Gaza held out and same massacred occurred Jerusalem open its doors, Jews hailed Alexander as a prophecy come true

Egypt and Alexandria Hailed as a liberator Founds famous world city, Alexandria

The defeat of the Persians Moves in Mesopotamia for the death blow to Darius Battle of Guagamela Darius flees again Alexander goes on to take Babylon, Susa, and Persepolis Darius killed by own prince

Central Asia and Beginning of Problems Darius names Alexander King? Pursued and Bessus in central Asia- killer of Darius Takes Persian title “King of Kings” Adopts Persian customs (hand kissing) Plots against Alexander- several Macedonian generals killed Signs of Megolomania

India Campaign India at that time- high cultural period, many kingdoms A few Indian kings submit, many fight Several early victories Two powerful Indian empires waiting Troops rebel and invasion ends

Death Went back to Susa to deal with disloyal governors and generals Married Greek men to Persian women Back to Babylon to plan invasion of Arabia Dies- unknown causes- several theories

Breakup of Alexander’s Empire No legitimate heir- “to the strongest” 40 years of war until it settled down to four kingdoms

Legacy Considered one of the greatest generals ever Undefeated in battle- despite always being outnumbered Quick to adapt to new situations Considered “Great” in the west and a brutal barbarian in the east Brought Hellenization (Greek Culture) to north Africa and east Asia- Learning and the arts would flourish for some time afterwards Admired by the next great power, The Romans