Alexander the Great: Conqueror of the World

Important People in Alexander’s Life Phillip II – His Father Olympias – His Mother Darius III – King of Persia Roxanne – His wife Parmenio – Main General Cleitus – Best Friend

The Life of Alexander the Great Spring 334 B.C. – Alexander leaves Macedonia and goes to Anatolia (Asian part of Turkey) 1 st Battle with Persians at the River Granicus

Battle of the River Granicus 25,000 Macedonians vs. 40,000 Persians and Greeks Greeks are used by Persians as the main fighting force –18,000 Greeks die; only 120 Macedonians

Gordian Knot After Granicus, Alexander goes to Gordian Challenges the Gordian Knot –Untie the knot and control Asia Alexander unties the knot

Battle of Issus Autumn 333 B.C. Mt. pass in Syria Darius III’s army is greatly outnumbered by Alexander Persians destroyed

Siege of Tyre Summer and Winter of 332 B.C. Tyre = Island city Alexander builds a land bridge to reach it

Alexander in Egypt Dec. 332 B.C. –2 things 1). Founds the city of Alexandria in N. Egypt Named after himself 2).From Alexandria, visits Siwa (Temple of Zeus-Ammon) –Priests proclaim Alexander a god there

Battle of Gaugamela Oct B.C. Alexander vs. Darius III Alexander’s Greatest Victory Wins b/c he defeats the Scythed or War Chariot –Mouse Trap –Caltrap

Gaugamela 47,000 Macedonians 100,000 Persians 10,000 Persian Immortals (always 10,000) –Bodyguards

Alexander and Persepolis Alexander is proclaimed king at Babylon Still wants Persian Empire and Darius III Darius III is found dead on the side of the road –Killed by his own mean Alexander is furious –Burns Persepolis

Alexander and World Culture Great respect for culture Alexander wears Persian clothes, his men marry Persian Women, has Persian officers in his army, puts his face on the money Reasons: –1). No Revolts –2). Believes all cultures have value

Alexander with the horns of Ammon

Central Asia Obsessed w/ conquering the world Crosses the Hindu-Kush Mountains, 1 st ever Conquers Afghanistan (Bactria in the ancient world) Takes a wife, Roxanne –Roxanne is Bactrian

Alexander kills his friend Cleitus in Bactria

India Macedonians move into India Campaign ends there Battle of the Hydapses River Alexander the Great vs. King Porus

Hydapses River Porus had elephants 1 st time Europeans had seen elephants Alex wins, but it is bloody

Alexander’s Empire

The End of Alexander Alexander cannot take all of India Men had enough; demand to go back Alexander catches a fever on his way back Dies in Babylon in 323 B.C.

Diving the Empire Alexander had a son by Roxanne (Alexander IV) Macedonians do not want an Afghan king Empire is divided between 3 generals –1). Ptolemy – Egypt –2). Seleucid – Persia –3). Antigonus and Demterius – Greece –Alexander’s son is murdered

The Ancient World After Alexander

Quelling Rebellion Alexander’s Former generals need to establish their power Demetrius the Besieger uses this….

Helepolis – “The Taker of Cities”

Helepolis Name means “The Taker of Cities” –Invented Demetrius the Conqueror A massive siege tower used during the siege of Rhodes 130 ft. high, 65 feet wide –Divided into 9 stories –Each story equipped w/ a catapult

Hellenic Age Period of great Greek influence following Alexander Empire spread Greek Culture