Alexander the Great: Life, Conquests, and Legacy

Alexander the Great: A King of Macedon

Alexander III of Macedon (356 BC-323 BC), commonly known as Alexander the Great, was a king of the Ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon and a member of the Argead dynasty. Born in Pella in 356 BC, Alexander succeeded his father, Philip II, to the throne at the age of twenty.

Early Life and Education

During his early years, he had the pleasure of having Aristotle as his tutor, though it can be argued that the philosopher's influence on him was limited.

Conquest of Asia Minor

Alexander succeeded in conquering Asia Minor after crossing the Hellespont in 334 BC with 40,000 men, composed of Macedonians and Greeks. His initial goal was to liberate the Greek cities in Asia Minor.

Expansion into Persia and Egypt

He went on to defeat the Persian fleet on land by cutting off their access to ports. He then moved through Syria, Phoenicia, Palestine, and Egypt, eventually reaching the Persian Empire itself.

Battles and Captures

In 331 BC, he left Egypt and advanced into Mesopotamia, where he again defeated Darius at the Battle of Gaugamela. He captured Babylon and then moved to Susa, one of the Achaemenid capitals. Alexander proceeded to conquer several Persian capitals. As the effective king of Iran, he aimed to preserve Iranian institutions. By 330 BC, he had occupied all of Persia.

The Indian Expedition and Return

From 327 BC to 325 BC, he launched the Indian expedition, believing he was reaching the end of the world, though he was mistaken. He would have continued further, but his army refused due to being so far from home. The return journey was one of discovery, but it was fraught with difficulties, particularly in Gedrosia, where he faced near disaster in 325 BC. In June 323 BC, he died in the palace of Nebuchadnezzar II in Babylon.

Alexander's Vision and Legacy

It is important to highlight two key aspects of Alexander's vision:

Conception of Conquest

Alexander separated military and financial issues. He engaged with the Persian nobility, adopting the style of an Iranian king, embracing Iranian customs and dress, and even marrying an Iranian princess. He encouraged his generals to marry Iranian women, aiming to make Iranians first-class citizens in his empire. However, this was not entirely successful, as the governors he appointed were not always effective.

Conception of Himself

In 324 BC, he sent a message to Greek cities demanding to be treated as a god. The Greeks resisted this, as it clashed with their religious traditions.

Conclusion

Despite his failures, Alexander is considered one of the greatest generals in history. He benefited from inheriting a highly effective army from his father and implemented technical innovations. Ultimately, his success can be attributed to his strategic genius and the unwavering loyalty of his soldiers.