Alexander’s Empire

The Macedonians Powerful kingdom to north Powerful kingdom to north Considered by the Greeks as “barbarians” Considered by the Greeks as “barbarians” Philip II, king 359 BC, general, politician Philip II, king 359 BC, general, politician Used heavier phalanxesUsed heavier phalanxes Demosthenes, Athenian orator warns Greeks of Macedonian threat Demosthenes, Athenian orator warns Greeks of Macedonian threat

Macedonian Troops Greeks do not unite to fight Macedonia Greeks do not unite to fight Macedonia Philip II leads army against battle of Chaeronea Philip II leads army against battle of Chaeronea Defeat them w/ Alex. Defeat them w/ Alex. Greece under his control Greece under his control Murdered in 336 BC Murdered in 336 BC

Alexander the Great Takes 20 Takes 20 Tutored by Aristotle (science, geo., literature) Tutored by Aristotle (science, geo., literature) Driven to conquer the Persians Driven to conquer the Persians Horse: Bucephalas Horse: Bucephalas Inspired by The Iliad Inspired by The Iliad Learned to ride, use weapons, military training at young age Learned to ride, use weapons, military training at young age Names conquered cities after himself Names conquered cities after himself

Legend of Gordian Knot Visits city of Gordium Visits city of Gordium Prophecy said that it could only be untied by future conqueror of Asia Prophecy said that it could only be untied by future conqueror of Asia Alexander cuts the Gordian Knot, by Jean-Simon Berthélemy (1743–1811)Jean-Simon Berthélemy

Invasion of Persia 334 B.C. Alexander defeats Persians at Granicus River Darius III—king of Persia, assembles army of 50,000– 75,000 men near Issus Alexander defeats Persians again, forces King of Persia to flee He controlled all of Anatolia Roman mosaic depicting Alexander and Darius III meeting at Battle of Issus

Granicas Map

Persian Peace Offering Darius tries to negotiate peace settlement Darius tries to negotiate peace settlement Offers Alexander all of his lands west of Euphrates River Offers Alexander all of his lands west of Euphrates River Alexander confidently rejects the offer and announces his plan to conquer the entire Persian EmpireAlexander confidently rejects the offer and announces his plan to conquer the entire Persian Empire

Alexander as Liberator 332 BC liberates the Egyptians from Persians 332 BC liberates the Egyptians from Persians Crowned pharaoh Crowned pharaoh Founds the city, Alexandria Founds the city, Alexandria

The end of the Persian Empire 331 BC Conquers remaining Persian Empire At Gaugamela in Mesopotamia, Alexander defeats Persians again Darius flees again and is murdered by one of the governors Alexander captures cities of Babylon, Susa, and Persepolis He distributes the huge amount of treasure to army Persepolis, the Persian capital, burned to the ground Signals end of Persia Empire

Alexander’s Conquest of India 327 BC reaches Indus Valley 327 BC reaches Indus Valley Win battle against Indian army w/200 elephants Win battle against Indian army w/200 elephants Continue into India Continue into India Exhausted army convinces him to go back Exhausted army convinces him to go back

Death of Alexander 323 BC returns to Babylon and dies at 32 (exhaustion from wounds, malaria, fever, or alcohol?) 323 BC returns to Babylon and dies at 32 (exhaustion from wounds, malaria, fever, or alcohol?) Buried in Alexandria, Egypt Buried in Alexandria, Egypt

Legacy of Alexander the Great Extended Greek & Macedonian rule over vast area Extended Greek & Macedonian rule over vast area Hellenistic culture: Blend of Greek, Egyptian & Eastern customs Hellenistic culture: Blend of Greek, Egyptian & Eastern customs Greek artists, merchants, officials spread cultureGreek artists, merchants, officials spread culture He adopted Persian dress, customs, married 2 Persian women, allowed Persians & others in his armyHe adopted Persian dress, customs, married 2 Persian women, allowed Persians & others in his army All adopted new waysAll adopted new ways Empire divided in 3 parts (autocratic rule) Empire divided in 3 parts (autocratic rule)