The Conquests of Alexander the Great
Alexander was the kid of Ruler Philip II of Macedonia born roughly on September
20th in 356 BC. His mom was Olympias, a young little princess from Epirus. Alexander was
a remarkable one who loved to recite Homeric poetry. At age fourteen his father delivered
him to analyze science, math concepts, and viewpoint with Aristotle of Stagira. Alexander
researched to Aristotle like a dad, and it can after be seen that Aristotle provided
Alexander the knowledge it took being one of the greatest rulers in history. Alexander was
a male of two extremes and contradictions. At times he would have intense spurts of one’s
and then lengthy sulks. This individual showed extreme generosity and at the same time murderous
rudeness against former friends. You might guess presented common knowledge that his
insecurities most likely had been originated in his childhood, probably the relationship with his
After the killing of his father, King Philip 2, Alexander is at direct line to
take control as ruler. Alexander was to go down of all time as the father of the Hellenic
world, the unopposed head of the Ancient greek world, and last but not least the Great, a
subject given for his quite a few victories.
The mobile top notch was Alexanders Companion Cavalry consisting mainly of the
cream of the Macedonian aristocracy. The backbone from the army was the phalanx. a couple of The
phalanx was six infantry écurie, capable of fighting a compilation of various types of
warfare, but specializing in set-piece battle within an eight-deep hedgehog formation with five
and a half meter-long spears. The phalanx was the primary weapon of warfare, but, there
were specialist units: skirmishers, archers, and light soldires with hill training.
There was also products comprised of non-Macedonian Greeks to whom, fighting to get
Alexander, helped justify Alexanders claim to be the General in Chief in the army of
Alexanders Military also experienced very important backup units. These types of units taken a
siege train comprising mobile siege towers, stone-throwing catapults, and javelin
throwers. Also composed in the backing up units were engineers, bridge-builders, sappers
and surveyors. To help insure a well developed armed service there must be non-combatant
workers as well. That they comprised of doctors, scientists, botanists, astronomers
philosophers, seers, and an official vem som st?r record each of the conquests. With this single
and flawless army Alexander would be able to overcome many lands with wonderful speed and
In the same aspect that many of our soldires of today declare prayers for a victory in
battle and so was Alexanders belief a homage should be paid to a god forever luck. In the
beginning of his voyage, Alexander rode up to the associated with Troy in which he entered the
archaic serenidad of the empress Athena. In this article he made a promise that if successful, he
would return to small Ilion and build a gigantic forehead to Trojan viruses Athene in gratitude intended for
her support. This check out would give him the additional benefit of the mood of the Ancients in
Alexander and his military services swiftly marched the flatlands along the Ocean of Marmara. At
the same time Darius, the King of Persia, was busily environment traps in plans to quit the
pursuit of Alexanders armed service. Darius had a plan to stop them, he’d station many
thousand Ancient greek mercenaries near to the Dardanelles. The Persian army had great resources
and great rare metal reserves to use army after army to defeat Alexanders pursuit. The best choice
of the Ancient greek mercenaries, Memnon of Rhodes, decided to lose the country to cut off
Alexanders items. The Local leaders made a decision against this idea and made a decision to fight
At night, Alexander approached the water in challenge formation. On the opposite side
were the Persians cellular lining the bank five thousand strong. The Persian plan was just to maintain
Alexander off preventing him by crossing the river. Alexanders senior standard
Parmenio counseled Alexander that they can should hold off until the time was right.
Alexander refused and within minutes the blaring trumpets roared as they marched upon
into struggle. Alexander launched a small strike of fifteen-hundred men to help make the
Persians believe the real battle had started out. They chop down for it and soon the Persians had lost
almost all their males along the banking companies. Alexander in that case proceeded in sending in his
elite cavalry squadrons down into the lake and throughout into the confront of his enemies.
A number of the Local officers tried to kill Alexander himself, in the attempt 8 were
slain, including Dariuss son-in-law.
The Traditional mercenaries, in the mean time, who were among the list of Persians best troops
viewed the challenge at the riv Granicus. The Persian cavalry retreated and among the
midst came Alexanders companion cavalry heading right for them. The phalanx was
set up and war up against the mercenaries ensued into the evening. The mercenaries were cut in
half before finally surrendering. These people were then sent in chains to hard labor for life in the
silver puits of Thrace. This was Alexanders way of sending a grim message to the other
Greeks considering getting started with the Persians. 5
Memnon, now Dariuss commander-in-chief of Western functions, was environment
up once again in anticipation of Alexanders arrival. With him were the Athenian
mercenary commanders Ephialtes and Thrasybulos, two men who was simply on
Alexanders hit list for quite some time. This time around they thought they had the very best
defenses to defeat Alexanders army. All their town was obviously a fortress fortified by a large wall
winding up in the hills previously mentioned Boldrum. It had two or three primary gates as well as the low
ground was shielded by profound ditches, it also had capés above the harbor and in the
bay was a number of four hundred boats. This place was so fortified it turned out almost
unattainable in. Thankfully Alexander who just about any type of weapon
imaginable of this period used his siege-technology6 to gain entrance.
Alexander attacked for the flat surface first within the east area of town. His military
attempted to join through the wall membrane but this kind of soon failed. Alexander in that case used his siege
technology to wage-war and gain entrance. Memnon launched a substantial raid in dawn to
overtake Alexanders army. This is almost a stalemate until Alexanders book army
arrived and induced heavy failures, and Ephialtes was slain. Memnon realizing his wipe out
retreated and evacuated his forces by simply sea, establishing fire to everything that they could not have
with these people on the boats. Alexander emerges victorious again.
Although Alexanders troops had suffered severe failures they continue to pursued about.
They marched on to Lycia and overtook thirty towns here. Then they moved over the
Anatolian plateau for about a three weeks mar until they reached the ancient associated with
Alexander came up here for tactical reasons. Gordion was not only the main
junction to central Anatolia but also the area known for a weird star. As old wives tales advise
Gordion was originally the location of Midas whose father Gordius was believed to have got
migrated via Macedonia to here in a wooden trolley. His introduction fulfilled a nearby prophecy
and Gordius started to be the california king of this place. As a thanks a lot offering Gordius left the cart in
the temple of Zeus with a natural leather knot on the end of it made of cornel start barking with hidden
ends upon it. The tale of the Gordion Knot7 states that whomever undid the knot will
become leader of Asia. This obviously was irresistible to Alexander who had structured so
most of his wins on the strong points of the Gods.
Alexander proceeded to go up to the acropolis and was silent racking your brains on how to
unnecessary the knot. As history tells us Alexander said That doesnt subject how the knot is
loosened8 and at a similar instance he drew his sword and hacked in the knot revealing
the ends inside. Alexander left assuming that the legend had been satisfied and that he
Through all of Alexanders conquests the fear remained that Memnon may
attack Greece while Alexander was no wherever near to guard it. His fears became a reality
once Memnons forces, traveling simply by sea after their retreat at the Struggle at Bodrun, made
method to Portugal and had taken the metropolitan areas of Chios and Lesbos. Luckily, for not only Alexander
but for all of those other Macedonians, Memnon fell ill and passed away.
Darius, after researching Memnons fatality, proceeded to look for an equal
replacement but failed to do so. Darius soon noticed that he would have to fight his own
fights. Darius the King of Persia was not only a war head but a semi-divine getting in the
brains of the Persians. Divine being or not, Darius was about to get a matter of fact by
Alexander had journeyed down by central Anatolia to Tarsus. At Tarsus he fell
ill by malaria and almost died. Alexander, a true jet fighter, recovered and moved down
into the narrow gap involving the amanus mountain range and the marine. He had wished to attract
Darius in to his narrow battlefield yet Darius wasnt easily tricked. Darius delivered troops to
the rear of Alexanders military and attempted to defeat these people like this. Alexander, after learning
of this, pursued Darius for the little town of Issus. The Fight of Issus9 took place in
November 333 BC within the Payas lake. Dariuss armed service was huge in comparison to
Alexanders. This didnt stop Alexander before nor would it prevent him at this point. Dariuss prepare
was to hold Alexander within the river-line and use his best cavalry on the proper, along the
seashore, to break through Alexanders left-wing army. Alexander assessed the specific situation
from his standard situation up on the proper wing. He saw that Dariuss cavalry were
focused on his still left by the sea, and immediately switched his to the left to compliment his
military services. Once he realized that there were a poor Persian creation of unskilled archers
up against the foothills, Alexander was sure that Darius would not have enough assurance in
his infantry to hold the line by itself. Realizing Dariuss weakness, Alexander led a great
attack him self down the riv on the right. The Persian archers failed to protect the land
via Alexanders goal. Alexanders Companion Cavalry marched down throughout the
river and annihilated the Persian soldires line. Today the path was cleared to get to the
Persian center composed mainly of Greek mercenaries. The mercenaries held their particular
for a brief while against Alexanders phalanx, but quickly they would know they were
staying surrounded. The mercenaries noticed they lost and retreated. Alexanders primary
The main target of the Struggle of Naturels was to capture or get rid of Darius. Alexander got
close to Darius yet not close enough. Alexanders military got close enough to where
Dariuss kinsmen were fighting hand-to-hand in order to shield their california king. Dariuss
forces were being injured quickly left and right. His only option was going to stay with your life, so his
bodyguard took him and fled. Darius left his leaderless armed service at this point to fend to get
themselves. Yet again Alexander emerges victorious yet without his goal Darius.
Through the years Alexander swept the Persians away from coast of Phoenicia
and in 332 forced them away of Egypt, a property they had organised for two centuries. The Egyptians
welcomed him as a liberator and acknowledged him because their pharaoh. Alexander and his
armed service marched onto Tyre and met great opposition. The Tyrians struggled off Alexanders
army given that they could but in no time they too could surrender their very own city to
Alexander. One full year later Alexander and Darius would meet again.
On Oct 1st 331 BC, Alexanders troops pursue Darius in to the town of
Gaugamela. The Battle of Gaugamela10 could later be called one of the most decisive in
history. Alexander once again demonstrated great war-skills by tempting the Persians into a
untimely assault to weaken the backbone of their army. At the same time the Persians
attacked Alexanders right to make a gap inside the phalanx. Through this difference the Persians
swept around Alexanders army and had an opportunity at victory. Alexander made quick
decisions and reformed his phalanx and incurred at the difference at the Local front. Darius
once again was exposed fantastic army was retreating. The battle was lost and with that the
lives of the Local monarchy, the highest empire which had but existed in history.
The success at Gaugamela wore away Alexanders soldiers so Alexander led those to
Babylon. At Babylon, Alexander was approached with products and given the city. His army
rested and recuperated. Alexanders armed service marched about Susa upon November twenty fifth. His military
was replenished and reinforced to seventy, 000 good. Susa had been a war zone since the
start of history the governor of Susa attained Alexander by Tigris water bearing
gifts. The chief of the servants gave Susa to Alexander with no resistance. From here Alexander
marched on to the ancient associated with Xerxes and Darius of a month after.
On Alexanders journey through the outskirts of Susa he met plan natives with the
Afghan-hills. These types of natives demanded tolls to get Alexander to pass like they had done to
past kings just before him. Alexander was not the sort of person to are a symbol of this therefore he
got them wiped out. Alexander experienced his eye set on a greater goal Persopolis. 11
Persopolis was the large Persian building with regal tombs and shrines. It absolutely was the
cardiovascular system of the Local empire. This is a trophy to acquire in Alexanders eyes. He led his
sturdy army of now 85, 000 right to the entrance of Persopolis. The entrances were closed and
presently there seemed to be zero easy method of gaining access. Alexander interrogated prisoners in
hopes of actually finding a way in, this was of no help. A local shepherd told Alexander of an
substitute route to gain entrance throughout the rear of Persopolis. This route was your only
one particular known and it was through rocky surfaces. Alexander proceeded with 12-15, 000 of his males
throughout the long area of Mulla Susan to the back of the move. Alexander great fearless
military services were all set to conquer. At daybreak, Alexanders army captured the Persians in a
surprise attack from your rear. The Persians placed a good combat but it has not been enough to
save them. This success has been named one of the most harmful, audacious, and
certainly the most profitable of mountain advertisments in the annals of history.
Alexander achieved his goal and captured the great city of Persopolis yet he was
not yet happy. He still wanted Darius dead or alive. In July Alexander pursued within a
quest to discover Darius. This individual marched in in the sweltering heat across the Great Sodium Desert
toward Afghanistan. Finally after a long an arduous voyage, Alexander come to a place
known as Thara in which he learned that Darius was overthrown simply by his own
commanders before. Eager to still pursue Darius, Alexander hard pressed on through
the Ahuran pass. When Alexander caught up with the Local leaders, these were
already fleeing. At the same time they will stabbed Darius and left him there for lifeless. One of
Alexanders soldiers attained up with him and provided him some water. Darius presented a
communication to Alexander thanking him for his honorable treatment of his mother and friends and family
throughout this. Darius was dead when Alexander received there. Alexander covered
your body with his cloak and was shocked by the premature loss of life of the California king of the
Alexander would go upon through many different cities overcoming anything in his
way for another three years. In the spring of 327 BC Alexander wonderful troops penetrated
India. doze They initial went to Taxila and met some opposition, but in a couple of minutes King
Ambi of Taxila welcomed Alexander to his new conquest. Alexander stayed here shortly
and then constrained on to the Fight on the Jhelum River. The opposition was the Indian
military led by simply Rajah Porus consisting of 40, 000 males. Alexanders armed service pressed upon across
the river Jhelum and quickly through a tough battle conquered Poruss armed service. The most
personal loss of this kind of war was Alexanders precious horse Bucephalus who died from
pains in struggle. It was below that Alexander named the town after his war-horse.
The majority of Alexanders army, tired from battles and homesick, decided they will
would not drive any further into the rest of India or in their time the ends with the Earth while
they recognized it. Alexander, after providing the idea critical thought, determined that this individual needed to
dominate the rest of India prior to heading house to Miscuglio. The armed service agreed and so they
moved out plowing through city by city right up until they made their in the past to Susa in 324
BC. Inside the journey from Susa to Babylon Alexander met with several Chaldean wise men
whom told him that their god Bel had informed them that for the king to enter the city only at that
time would be fatal to him. They will urged him not to get westward at this point but to get eastward
rather. Alexander bypassed Babylon for a while but the sceptic Anaxagoras told the king
to disregard the curse and press through in in spite of the curse. Anaxagoras was soon put to
death after Alexander learned of his plot to obtain him to enter Babylon and be killed. Although
in Babylon, Alexander designed a strong doubt with his friends and he started drinking
very heavily. Alexander drank to forget him self for two times and then this individual developed a
raging fever. With this kind of fever this individual became delirious and thirsty, so this individual drank more. In the end
this individual died using this ravaging fever on Summer 10th 323 BC at the age of thirty-two. The fever
most likely was brought about by strychnine poisoning in the unmixed wine or possibly
by lean meats failure because of extreme ingesting. Nevertheless a fantastic man got died and with him
a musical legacy for all the universe to remember: Alexander the Great Full of the World. 13
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Ny: Franklin W, Inc., 1969
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Penguin Publishing, UNITED STATES., 1994
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University of California Press, 1992
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University of North Carolina Press, 1997
Higgins, Andrew. To Buoy Alone Up, Besieged Macedonia Can be Grasping for History
Wall Street Journal: Friday, April 9, 99, front page
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Berkeley: School of California Press, 1997
