Left in charge of Macedonia in 340 during Philip’s attack on Byzantium, Alexander defeated the Maedi, a Thracian people. Alexander the Great is one of many biographies aimed at young people written by Jacob Abbott and his brother. As in Egypt, the local priesthood was encouraged. Alexander the Great. In spring 334 he crossed the Dardanelles, leaving Antipater, who had already faithfully served his father, as his deputy in Europe with over 13,000 men; he himself commanded about 30,000 foot and over 5,000 cavalry, of whom nearly 14,000 were Macedonians and about 7,000 allies sent by the Greek League. The cities perforce complied, but often ironically: the Spartan decree read, “Since Alexander wishes to be a god, let him be a god.”. But he was anxious to press on farther, and he had advanced to the Hyphasis when his army mutinied, refusing to go farther in the tropical rain; they were weary in body and spirit, and Coenus, one of Alexander’s four chief marshals, acted as their spokesman. As the story goes, Alexander fell in love with Roxane on sight. When Alexander the Great died in Babylon in 323 B.C., his body didn’t begin to show signs of decomposition for a full six days, according to historical accounts. He now seems to have become convinced of the reality of his own divinity and to have required its acceptance by others. The Macedonian Empire of Alexander the Great. The story is an epic that is as daring and ambitious as its subject, a relentless conqueror who by the age of 32 had amassed the greatest empire the world had ever seen. Half the army with the baggage under Hephaestion and Perdiccas, both cavalry commanders, was sent through the Khyber Pass, while he himself led the rest, together with his siege train, through the hills to the north. One event took place at Hydaspes which devastated Alexander: the death of his beloved horse, Bucephalus. But Persia’s rule as a ...read more, Born into obscurity in the British West Indies, Alexander Hamilton made his reputation during the Revolutionary War and became one of America’s most influential Founding Fathers. Alexander put his vigor and bravery on display, and his cavalry decimated the Sacred Band of Thebes. 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. Directed by Robert Rossen. 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. How far the rigour that from now onward Alexander displayed against his governors represents exemplary punishment for gross maladministration during his absence and how far the elimination of men he had come to distrust (as in the case of Philotas and Parmenio) is debatable; but the ancient sources generally favourable to him comment adversely on his severity. The Phoenician cities Marathus and Aradus came over quietly, and Parmenio was sent ahead to secure Damascus and its rich booty, including Darius’s war chest. 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 The Great is for sure one of the, if not the, strongest commanders in Rise of Kingdoms and he can be such a beast on the battlefield – if you use the right talent tree build with him. Now We May Know Why. The life and military conquests of Alexander III of Macedon (July 20/21, 356 - June 10/11, 323 B.C. In 14 days Alexander marched 240 miles from Pelion (near modern Korçë, Albania) in Illyria to Thebes. Livius.org. In spring 326, crossing the Indus near Attock, Alexander entered Taxila, whose ruler, Taxiles, furnished elephants and troops in return for aid against his rival Porus, who ruled the lands between the Hydaspes (modern Jhelum) and the Acesines (modern Chenāb). He at once executed the princes of Lyncestis, alleged to be behind Philip’s murder, along with all possible rivals and the whole of the faction opposed to him. Alexander the Great, the young Macedonian military genius who forged an empire stretching from the eastern Mediterranean to India, dies in Babylon, in present-day Iraq, at the age of 33. Before continuing his pursuit of Darius, who had retreated into Bactria, he assembled all the Persian treasure and entrusted it to Harpalus, who was to hold it at Ecbatana as chief treasurer. The event marked a step in Alexander’s progress toward Eastern absolutism, and this growing attitude found its outward expression in his use of Persian royal dress. He murdered Cleitus, one of his most-trusted commanders, in a drunken quarrel, but his excessive display of remorse led the army to pass a decree convicting Cleitus posthumously of treason. Some historians say Alexander died of malaria or other natural causes; others believe he was poisoned. From age 13 to 16 he was taught by the Greek philosopher Aristotle, who inspired his interest in philosophy, medicine, and scientific investigation. From Alexandria he marched along the coast to Paraetonium and from there inland to visit the celebrated oracle of the god Amon (at Sīwah); the difficult journey was later embroidered with flattering legends. Legends abound about what transpired at the oracle, but Alexander kept mum about the experience. Later in the same year he attacked Oxyartes and the remaining barons who held out in the hills of Paraetacene (modern Tajikistan); volunteers seized the crag on which Oxyartes had his stronghold, and among the captives was his daughter, Roxana. His advance eastward was now rapid. He is considered one of the greatest military commanders in history. He also displayed a deep interest in learning and encouraged the spread of Hellenistic culture. There is no basis for the tradition that he turned aside to visit Jerusalem. Both in Egypt and elsewhere in the Greek cities he received divine honours. Alexander instructed his men to build a causeway to reach Tyre. This discontent was now fanned by the arrival of 30,000 native youths who had received a Macedonian military training and by the introduction of Asian peoples from Bactria, Sogdiana, Arachosia, and other parts of the empire into the Companion cavalry; whether Asians had previously served with the Companions is uncertain, but if so they must have formed separate squadrons. People throughout history have been praising this guy’s name. Alexander Arrives in India . In spring 324 he was back in Susa, capital of Elam and administrative centre of the Persian empire; the story of his journey through Carmania in a drunken revel, dressed as Dionysus, is embroidered, if not wholly apocryphal. Alexander the Great was an ancient Macedonian ruler and one of history’s greatest military minds who, as King of Macedonia and Persia, established the … This victory exposed western Asia Minor to the Macedonians, and most cities hastened to open their gates. OK, there was no such thing as high school in the fourth … Legend had it whoever unwound the knot would conquer all of Asia. © 2021 A&E Television Networks, LLC. Thanks to his insatiable urge for world supremacy, he started plans to conquer Arabia. With Richard Burton, Fredric March, Claire Bloom, Barry Jones. Alexander the Great's conquests freed the West from the menace of Persian rule and spread Greek civilization and culture into Asia and Egypt. Much work fell on the lightarmed Cretan and Macedonian archers, Thracians, and the Agrianian javelin men. A life-long love of philosophy, power, and play the lyre to explore the Hyrcanian ( i.e. Caspian... Legend had it whoever unwound the knot with his army backed down offers, and Alexander could afford treat. … Alexander was taught by Aristotle but had famous run-ins with other philosophers, is a legendary commander in name! To accomplish, believing in him throughout all hardships the whole eastern Mediterranean coast army! 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