Alexander the Great
Philip II. of Macedon
Alexander´s father Philip II.
He was a king of Macedonia and he laid foundation of future Alexander´s reign
Macedonia was considered by other Greek cities to be barbaric because there
were many conflicts and they were mostly shepherds
Philip was raised in captivity in Thebes, where he learned about Greek culture,
politics and military tactics
When he returned back to Macedonia, he became king and slowly conquered
his neighbours
Some of the Greek cities joined him, but Athens and Thebes led a coalition
against Macedonia, they wanted to preserve their rule
Philip conquered Greeks
Philip used new tactics on the battlefield, combination of cavalry and pikemen
His improved army had almost no match in battlefield
338 B.C. – battle at Chaeronea: Philip defeated united Greek armies and
subjugated almost all city states
Alexander was also in this battle leading cavalry, he made himself famous, he was
only 18 years old
Philip had many wives, Macedonian kings practised polygamy which enabled him
to secure diplomatic relations
He was assassinated by his bodyguard in 336 B.C., reason is unknown, possible
jelaousy or involvment of Olympia or Persians
Olympias and her son Alexander
Alexander´s childhood
Alexander was raised for greatness, his mother Olympia claimed that he was
son of Zeus and descendand of Achilles, who was his rolemodel
From his youth he was educated by the best available teachers, he was taught by
Aristotle, whose ideas were still relevant in Middle Ages,
There were many stories that indicated his greatness, he tamed horse
Bucephalus, he observed that he was afraid of his own shadow
In battles he was not afraid to lead the charge against enemies, inspiring his
troops to follow him anywhere
Ascend to power
His relationship with father was good, but father then married a young
Macedonian aristocrat and Alexander was afraid that their son could replace him
as heir, giving possible motive for murder
After Philip´s death Alexander became the king, he dealt with potential opposers
to his claim
Some cities tried to rebel, because they saw an opportunity to free themselves
after Philip´s death
Alexander crushed the rebellion, destroyed city of Thebes and executed all men
and enslaved others as an example to avoid future uprisings
Alexander then continued with Philip´s plans to attack Persian empire
Alexander´s conquest 334 B.C.
Alexander gathered armies all around Greece around 40 000 and led them to
Persia, the largest empire in that time and region
He began with defeat of Persian armies near Granicus river
He had open road for western parts of Persia
Persian king Darius III. Tried to stop his advance in 333 B.C. near Issus, but his
armies were crushed and Alexander captured his family
Alexander was welcomed in Egypt as a liberator and was crowned as pharaon
He found a new city Alexandria where Nile flows into Mediterranean, during his
conquest, he founded several more Alexandrias
Gordian knot
Alexander dominates Persia
Persian leader Darius III. Againg gathered his armies and challenged Alexander
for battle in 331 B.C. battle of Gaugamela
Darius chose the battlefield so he could use his numerical advantage, his army
was almost twice as big
Alexander´s bold tactics and assault scared Darius and he fled from the battle
Darius was later assassinated by his own people, so Alexander became ruler of
Persia
He let most of the Persians, who subjugated in power, he adapted some of their
customs, which some Macedonians disliked
He burned down Persepolis, Persian´s religion center as a retaliation for Persians
burning Athens
Alexander´s legacy
Alexander got to the border of India in 326 B.C., where he won a victory and
wanted to continue, but his army mutinied and refused to go on
He returned back to Babylon and wanted to continue his conquest to Arabia
He was target of some conspiracies, he also liked to drink and during one feast he
even killed his friend Cleitus who saved his life
He married Persian princess and she had a son, but Alexander fell ill and died
without securing his lineage in 323 B.C. only 32 years old, he was possibly killed
by malaria, or some suggested he was poisoned
His generals divided conquered land Selecus gained Asia Minor, Antigonus
Macedonia and Greece, Ptolemy gained Egypt
Consequence of the expansion was Hellenistic period, Greek culture spread
through the empire and lasted many centuries