Alexander the Great Final - Term ID

Agis III

King of Sparta during Alexander’s reign, led a revolt against Macedon in 331 BCE while Alexander was gone, ultimately his rebellion in a defeat by Antipater (Alexander’s regent), Agis III died in battle and his defeat reinforced Macedonian control over Greece

Antigonus the One-Eyed

Appointed satrap of Phrygia by Alexander the Great, one of successors after Alexander’s death in 323 BCE bc he used his position to expand control over large parts of the empire,

Artabazus

Persian satrap of Bactria under Darius the III until Alexander conquered the region, he submitted peacefully and continued to be a satrap, this was common for Alexander who liked to incorporate Persians in to powerful roles

Babylon

After other parts of his conquest, Alexander was welcomed into ___ in 331 BCE as a liberator, became an administrative center of the empire and symbol of strategy as it fused Greek and Persian cultures, also site of Alexander’s death

Bactria

conflict beginning in 329 BCE, Bactrians were fierce in their resistance, Roxane from here, cliff-side terrain made conflict difficult, after victory the people there were heavily influenced by Indian culture

Bessus

Persian satrap of Bactria, after Battle of Gaugamela in 331 BCE, Bessus betrayed and captured the feeling Darius III and declared himself the new king, eventually captured by his own men and headed over to Alexander the Great who had him executed as he wanted to be seen as the rightful heir to Darius/the Persian empire

Callisthenes

nephew of Aristotle, accompanied Alexander on his campaigns as the official chronicler/historian, fell out of Alexander’s favor when he openly criticized the king’s adoption of Persian customs (specifically proskynesis), arrest in connection to the Page conspiracy

Cassander

Son of Antipater (Alexander’s regent), After Alexander’s death in 323 BCE he was a prominent successor, seized power in Macedonia and Greece and declared himself king, thought to have ordered the execution of Alexander’s wife Roxane and their son which solidified his own rule

Cilicia

Alexander captured this region in 333 BCE, helpful because of its coastal cities and crucial mountain passes (Cilician Gates), control of this region led to success at the Battle of Issus later that year

Cleitus the Black

officer in Alexander’s army, play key roles as commander in multiple battles, but fell out with Alexander bc he disapproved the the adoption of Persian customs, 328 BCE Alexander killed him in an argument at a dinner which Alexander deeply regretted

Craterus

general in Alexander’s army, major figure in succession war, is assigned to replace Antipater as regent shortly before Alexander’s death, Alexander’s last word have been though to maybe be “to ___”

Darius III

King of Persian during Alexander’s conquest, after fleeing the Battle of Gaugamela (331 BCE) he is betrayed and killed by Bessus (satrap), he is later avenged by Alexander who kills Bessus to secure the Persian throne

Ecbatana

Alexander enters in 330 BCE after the fall of the Persian empire to Alex, here Alexander took control of Persian wealth and royal treasures which helped fund future campaigns, also served as staging point for further military operations

Epigoni

after Alexander’s death there were no clear heirs to his empire which led to the Wars of the Diadochi (successors), these were the generals and officials who fought for control of different parts of the empire

Gaugamela

331 BCE, Alex won the battle fought here when Darius fled, Alexander’s army was outnumber but they won due to superior fighting tactics such as curving around a different parts to trap the Persian army, Darius’s fleeing led to fall of the Persian empire when he was betrayed by Bessus

Gedrosian Desert

Chosen as a route by Alexander when headed west on his 60-day march, difficult to asses casualties due to poor documentation of travelers, Alexander famously dumps out a helmet of water here in front of his entire army which both inspired and angers the troops

Halicarnassus

334 BCE Siege of ______, one of the first major sieges during Alexander’s campaign against Persia, Defended by Memnon of Rhodes who set fire to the city when he realized he could not win, Alexander con the city although it was partly destroyed by the fire

Harpalus

treasurer under Alexander the Great, appointed as satrap of Babylon after Alexander’s death (323 BCE) where he became increasingly wealthy, his corruption and mismanagement led to a revolt and he fled to Greece, in the wars of succession he was killed in a conspiracy and accused of embezzling funds

Hephaestion

one of Alexander’s closest generals and companions since childhood, after his sudden death in 324 BCE Alexander was devastated and mourned him deeply for a stretch of time, marked and emotional turning point for Alexander

Hydaspes R.

Battle of ___ 326 BCE, this river was a logistical challenge for Alexander, located in India it was prone to monsoon rains, Alexander executed a night-time river crossing to surprise the Indian army, farthest East point of Alex’s campaign

Hyphasis R.

East boundary of Alexander’s empire, there after crossing the Hydaspes River in 326 BCE but stopped bc his troops refused to march further out of exhaustion, symbolic landmark as it represents the end of Alexander’s military conquests

Issus

Battle of ____ 333 BCE, Alexander’s strategic use of the phalanx formation and his cavalry allowed him to break through Persian lines, Darius was forced to flee and ditched his family and army, Alexander’s win gave him control over much of Asia Minor and established his reputation as a great military strategist and treat to Darius

Nearchus

naval officer under Alexander the Great, 325 BCE ____ tasked with navigating a route back to Babylon from India along the Persian Gulf, voyage provided valuable geographic info about Alexander’s newly conquered regions which was crucial to Alexander’s ability to maintain control over the vast empire

Ambhi/Omphis/Taxiles

ruler of Taxila (Indian kingdom) during Alexander’s invasion, 326 BCE he offered to support and submit to Alexander in exchange from protection from Porus (rival king), alliance provided troops and resources which helped Alexander in the battle of Hydaspes

Opis

324 BCE mutiny speech, old/injured Macedonian veterans are to be discharged to go home with new troops from Macedon and Persia as replacements, perceived rejection of old troops outweighs the opportunity to go home, Alexander executes the leader of the backlash and they et replaced by Persians

Parmenio

General under Philip II and Alexander, often commanded left wing of army while Alexander commanded the right, executed along with his son (Philotas) 330 BCE as he was a perceived threat even though he was initially close with Alexander, his death symbolized Alexander’s diminishing of the old Macedonian gaurd

Perdiccas

Regent while Alexander is sick at the end of his life, receives Alexander’s signet ring before he dies, dilemma between marrying Alexander’s sister or Antipater’s daughter and which will grant him more power, Ptolemy has him killed

Persepolis

“Capital of capitals” is example of Alexander’s impulse as he burns it down in 330 BCE, varying accounts on why Alexander did it, from being encouraged by a woman while drunk, to an act of revenge, to a reward for his army

Persian Gates

Narrow mountain pass that Alexander traversed during his pursuit of Darius III in 330 BCE, pass was defended by Ariobarzanes (Persian satrap) who ambushed Alexander’s forces resulting in significant casualties, Alexander found an alternate route through the mountains allowing him to defeat Ariobarzanes and pass by

Philotas

Son of Parmenion and leader of the Companion Cavalry, most trusted during early campaigns of the Persian conquest, 330 BCE he was accused of failing to report a conspiracy against Alexander’s life and tried, tortured, and executed, his father was also executed just to be safe

proskynesis

Persian practice of prostrating oneself before the king and physically bowing down, Alexander’s adoption of this practice was one way he incorporated Persian culture into his new empire and in turn angered his previous subjects

Ptolemy

Commander in Alexander’s army throughout the Persian conquest, His power in Macedon grown after Alexander’s death as he works his way towards kingship and seized control of Egypt, he also too possession of Alexander’s body away from Perdiccas and too it to be buried it to Egypt

Roxane

Wife of Alexander the Great as a personal and political alliance, 327 BCE Alexander captured the fortress of her father in Bactria, accompanied Alexander on his later campaigns and gave birth Alexander’s only legitimate heir, her and her son were both killed by Cassander around 310 BCE bc of the succession crisis

Seleucus

general under Alexander the Great largely prominent in his Eastern campaigns, after Alexander’s death (323 BCE) he was one of the most powerful Diadochi (successors), gained control over stretch of land from Asia Minor to India and founded the Seleucid Empire

Siwah

location where Alexander wanted to be buried, Philip II was buried there too, Alexander visited an oracle here that revealed him to be the son of Zeus Ammon in 331 BCE, this revelation booted Alexander’s image as a divine figure

Successors/Diadochoi

the people who fought for control of Alexander’s empire after his death in 323 BCE, includes Ptolemy, Seleucus, Antigonus, and Cassander, “Wars of the Diadochoi” to divide up the land, ex: Seleucid Empire in Asia, Ptolemaic Kingdom in Egypt, Antigonid dynast in Macedonia

The Exiles’ Decree

issued 324 BCE, proclamation that ordered Greek city-states to accept the return of political exiles who were previously banished, framed as effort to restore justice and harmony among Greeks but was really a strategic move to extend his influence over the Greek world

Tyre

ancient Phoenician city-states, 332 BCE it refused to surrender to Alexanders conquest, Alexander laid siege with a cause way (bridge kinda thing) across the water towards the city’s walls, Tyre fell after seven months of siege-ing, many of the inhabitant were massacred or enslaved

Zeus Ammon

331 BCE, Alexander visits an oracle in Siwa, reavels to Alex he is son of Zeus Ammon, contributes to image of godly figure with divine lineage, example of syncretism combining Greek Zeus with Egyptian Ammon