Alexander the great

Alexander III

King of Macedonia who built the largest empire of his time and spread Greek culture

Why were Greeks initially pleased when Alexander became king?

They believed his youth and Aristotle’s influence meant he would not invade them

Aristotle’s influence on Alexander

He studied under Aristotle but rejected the city-state as the highest form of civilization

Alexander’s first battle experience

He saw battle at age 16 and proved himself militarily

War of revenge against Persia

A unifying excuse for Greek and Macedonian forces to attack Persia together

How did Alexander gain legendary status?

He conquered vast territories and became a legend during his lifetime

W.W. Tarn’s view of Alexander

Portrayed him as a noble English-style gentleman spreading civilization

C.A. Robinson’s interpretation of Alexander

Humanitarian who wished to unite Greeks and Persians

Scharachmeyr’s critique of Alexander

Viewed Alexander as brutal

E. Badian’s interpretation

Alexander was fearful and lonely; power isolated him

Ramon Harris’s interpretation

Alexander was a small man with a large ego and mother issues

O’Brian’s critique

Alexander and Philip were portrayed as heavy drinkers

Modern view of Alexander

A conqueror driven by glory like others of his age

Alexander’s physical appearance

Short

Lysippus

Alexander’s official sculptor who depicted him looking upward toward the divine

Anastole

Alexander’s distinctive hairstyle

Alexander’s ambition

Unbounded desire for conquest

Philip vs Alexander leadership style

Philip planned carefully; Alexander acted impulsively and took risks

Hellenization

Spread of Greek culture across conquered regions emphasizing its attractive elements

Hippodamian city plan

Grid-planned Hellenistic cities for movement and organization

Shift of Greek economy

Shifted east from mainland Greece to islands

Start of the Hellenistic Era

Begins with Alexander’s death in 323 BCE

Olympias’ influence on Alexander

Instilled royal ambition and belief in divine descent

Alexander’s heroic role models

Homeric heroes like Achilles and Heracles

Hephaestion

Alexander’s closest companion and beloved

Alexander’s response to revolt in Thrace

Crushed revolt at 16 and founded Alexandropolis

Becoming king

Alexander became king at 20 after eliminating rivals

Demosthenes’ response to Philip’s death

Declared a day of thanksgiving celebrating Philip’s assassination

League of Corinth

Confirmed Alexander as lifetime hegemon of Greek forces

How did Alexander secure obedience in Greece?

Ended revolts

Destruction of Thebes

Men were killed; women/children sold; city destroyed except Pindar’s house and holy sites

Persian navy vs Greek navy

Persia had 400 ships; Greeks only 160

Alexander’s strategy vs Persia

Force Persians into land battles to neutralize naval advantage

Satrapy

A Persian province ruled by a Satrap

Weakness in Persian Empire

Autonomous satraps and regional disloyalty

Why did many peoples welcome Alexander?

He allowed religious freedom unlike the Persian kings

Bessus

Satrap who betrayed and murdered Darius III then proclaimed himself king

Alexander’s treatment of Darius’ corpse

Honored with royal burial as revenge for regicide

Sisygambis

Mother of Darius whom Alexander called “mother”

Why did Alexander adopt Persian customs?

To gain support and hold his new territories

Why did Macedonian generals resent Persian integration?

They saw war as Greek revenge — not unification

Conquest of eastern satrapies

Alexander pursued Bessus through harsh terrain toward Bactria and Sogdiana

Alexandria Eschate

“Alexandria the Farthest

Spitamenes

Leader of Sogdian resistance; beheaded by his own people to gain peace

Marriage to Roxane

Diplomatic marriage to a Sogdian noblewoman to unite Persians and Macedonians

Epigoni

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Why did Macedonians resist Epigoni?

They feared being replaced by Persians in influence and power

Execution of Philotas

Convicted of conspiracy; executed for treason

Parmenio’s fate

Killed without trial after his son Philotas was executed

Killing of Cleitus

Alexander murdered Cleitus in drunken rage; deep regret followed

Proskynesis

Persian ritual of bowing and blowing kisses — seen by Greeks as worship of gods

Callisthenes’ opposition

Refused proskynesis; later executed for alleged conspiracy

Why did soldiers oppose further campaigns?

Endless distance

Alliance with Taxiles

Mutual agreement against Porus of India

Battle strategy vs Porus

Used storm and river crossing to outflank elephants and chariots

Outcome of battle with Porus

Alexander won but honored Porus

Bucephalus

Alexander’s beloved horse; given a state funeral and city named after him

Why did army refuse to cross Hyphasis?

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Alexander’s sulking after refusal

Stayed in his tent for 3 days like Achilles

Return march hardship

Crossed the Gedrosian Desert with massive casualties

Nearchus’ expedition

Proved a maritime route between India and Persia

Harpalus scandal

Fled with embezzled treasure and mercenaries while Alexander was away

Change in Alexander’s character

Became paranoid

Mass wedding at Susa

5-day ceremony marrying Macedonians to Persian noblewomen to unite cultures

Alexander’s additional Persian wives

Married Stateira and another noblewoman for political unity

Purpose of mixed marriages

Future children to fuse Macedonian and Persian elites

Opis confrontation

Macedonian troops rebel over favoritism toward Persians

Reconciliation at Opis

Banquet uniting 9

Exiles Decree

Forced Greek cities to readmit exiles — giving Alexander loyal supporters everywhere

What upset Macedonians in Opis?

Fear Alexander would erase Macedonian identity in favor of Persians

Legacy of Alexander’s rule

Created a fused Greco-Asian world and long-lasting cultural hybridization