Economic Heartland of Persia, Mutiny at River Beas, Gedrosian Desert, Conquest of the Mallian People

What cities did the economic heartland of Persia include?

Persepolis, Babylon, Susa

Why did Babylon surrender to Alexander?

They learned from the destruction of Tyre, Gaza, and Thebes; They weren’t loyal to the Persians

What did Alexander gain by treating the Babylonians well?

Respect and popularity

What action of Alexander indicated the start of his policy of fusion?

Reappointed Mazaeus as Satrap of Babylon

How much money did Alexander gain from Susa?

50,000 talents

How much money did Alexander gain from Persepolis?

14,000 talents

What are the possible reasons why Alexander let his men pillage Persepolis?

An act of revenge against the Persians, A reward for his soldiers, Was an impulsive decision

When did Alexander burn Persepolis?

After three months

According to the Arrian, why did Alexander burn down Persepolis?

Alexander burnt up the palace at Persepolis to avenge the Greeks because the Persians had destroyed both temples and cities of the Greeks by fire and sword

According to Plutarch, why did Alexander burn down Persepolis?

A greek courtesan said that she would burn down Persepolis so history would say that women inflicted a greater revenge on the Persians which convinced a drunk Alexander to burn down Persepolis

Quote from Plutarch about Alexander’s intention of burning Persepolis

They had hoped that Alexander’s intention to set the place on fire and destroy it utterly indicated that he was thinking of home and did not intend to settle amongst foreigners

What did the burning of Persepolis signify?

The end of the first stage of Alexander’s expedition

Why did Alexander punish the murderers of Darius?

To legitimize his rule as the new King of Asia, to gain the support of the Persians

Why did Alexander bury Darius with honours?

He saw himself as Darius’ successor

When was the Mutiny at Beas?

326BC

Why did Alexander’s men refuse to travel further than the river Beas?

They were exhausted, homesick, forced to wear Indian clothing, Loss of morale, their thirst for revenge was satified

How long did Alexander shut himself in his tent for during the Mutiny at Beas?

3 days

Why did Alexander shut himself in his tent during the Mutiny at Beas?

In an attempt to change the mind of his men

What did the Mutiny at Beas illustrate about Alexander?

One of his failures as he misread the effects a long campaign would have on his men

Why did Alexander choose to travel through the Gedrosian desert?

To set up supply ports for the fleets, To outdo the past Persian rulers who failed to conquer Gedrosia

What event that occured in the Gedrosian desert illustrate Alexander’s greatest attributes as a general?

Some men found a small amount of water and gave it to Alexander who poured it out in front of the army instead of drinking

What did Alexander show to his army by pouring out the small amount of water in front of them in the Gedrosian desert?

He would suffer alongside them

What happened to Alexander during the conquest of the Mallian people?

He was shot in the lung by an arrow that pierced his breastplate

How did Alexander increase the moral of his army after his near death during the conquest of the Mallian people?

As was carried back to the main army, he ordered the canvas to be removed so his men could see him and raised his arm, He rode his horse to his tent and walked inside

How did his army react to Alexander’s return during the conquest of the Mallian people according to Arrian?

Men rushed to touch him, bless him, or gaze at him; There was great relief and joy that Alexander had survived

Quote from Arrian about the reaction of Alexander’s men to him walking after sustaining an injury during a battle against the Mallian people

The men came near, some on one side, others on the other; some touching his hands, others his knees, others only his clothes. Some only came close to get a sight of him, and went away having chanted his praise, while others threw garlands upon him, or the flowers which the country of India  supplied at the season of the year

Quote from Arrian about the reaction of Alexander’s men when he was seen mounting his horse after sustaining an injury during a battle against the Mallian people

The whole army re-echoed with loud clapping of hands, so that the banks or the river and the groves near them reverberated with the sound