1. Alexander the Great

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

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. 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

7. 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

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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

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

14. 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