Alexander the Great - Early Life - Political/Social Tensions Essay

There were many political and social tensions during the time in which Alexander came into power. Some of these included: the tensions between the Macedonian and Greek cities under the rule of Philip II. Alexander’s position in the Macedonian Royal Family. Alexander’s rise to power after the death of Philip II, and the tensions which began with neighbouring barbarian tribes and the Greek cities afterwards.

In 338 B.C, Philip II, Alexander’s father, led the battle of Charonea, during which he and his army defeated the Greek cities under the leadership of Athens. Alexander also took part in this battle, and was said to be the first to break through the ranks of the Sacred Band of Thebans. This was an early sign of his great power and strength.

The overtaking of these Greek cities made the inhabitants resent Macedonia- which led to great tension since they were now under the same ruler. As well as this, the League of Corinth was established under Philip II. This meant that the Greek cities had to promise to make peace with Philip’s Macedonia, but fight against the Persian Empire. This also heightened tensions, as the Greek cities had to promise to not fight back against someone who destroyed their land and killed their people.

The social tensions in the time of Alexander’s rise to power were related to his family. Philip II often had affairs with other women- which Alexander and his mother, Olympias, were not fond of! Alexander was only half Macedonian as Olympias was from Epirus. There was a chance his father could have another child with a Macedonian woman, and thus Alexander would not inherit his father’s power.

An example of the tensions in Alexander’s family can be seen soon after Philip II married his second wife- Cleopatra. Attalus, Cleopatra’s uncle, suggested that a legitimate heir might be born from their union. According to Plutarch, Alexander replied; “But what of me, base wretch? Do you take me for a bastard?”, and proceeded to throw a cup at Attalus. Philip II was furious with Alexander’s impertinence, and sent him and his mother away. However some time afterwards, Philip was convinced by a family friend to bring them back home. From this example we can see there was much social tension within Alexander’s family.

Philip II’s death also added to the social and political tensions of Alexander’s rise to power. Although Philip II was murdered by a third party, blame still fell on Alexander and Olympias. There were rumours about their involvement with the murderer- saying they had hired someone to assassinate Philip II. Alexander put these rumours to rest when he sought out the participants of the murder plot and punished them.

Alexander also faced tensions from neighbouring tribes of barbarians who would not tolerate being under Macedonia’s rule. When Alexander heard that Thebes had revolted and that Athens supported and sympathised with them, he led his army to Thebes and demanded that they surrender. They did not, and so Alexander sieged, razed and plundered Thebes- making it an example to all of the other Greek cities. The Greeks were so terrified by this great disaster that they remained subservient. Alexander had successfully quietened these tensions with this method.

At age 20, Alexander inherited his father’s empire. This would only be the start of Alexander’s growth of power- where he would go on to conquer many more cities and lands. The social tensions In my opinion were the hardest to overcome for Alexander. He was illegitimate due to only being half-Macedonian, and only had his mother Olympias on his side to help him. However, though luck and perseverance they overcame it. The key political and social tensions at the time in which Alexander came to power were; the tensions between the Greek cities and Macedonia under Philip II’s rule. Alexander’s position and inheritance in the royal family. As well as the death of Philip and Alexander’s seize of power.