This also showed Alexander's eagerness to fight, in contrast to his father's preference for diplomacy. Macedonian losses were negligible compared to those of the Persians. [187] In India, confronted by Porus' elephant corps, the Macedonians opened their ranks to envelop the elephants and used their sarissas to strike upwards and dislodge the elephants' handlers.[135]. [129] Alexander reached Susa in 324 BC, but not before losing many men to the harsh desert. Concerned that other Greek states might intervene, Alexander made it look as though he was preparing to attack Illyria instead. He was born in Pella in 356 BC and succeeded his father Philip II to the throne at the age of 20. [58], While Alexander campaigned north, the Thebans and Athenians rebelled once again. Eventually, the two sides reconciled, and after the birth of Alexander IV, he and Philip III were appointed joint kings, albeit in name only. [107], Later, in the Central Asian campaign, a second plot against his life was revealed, this one instigated by his own royal pages. In the area of architecture, a few examples of the Ionic order can be found as far as Pakistan with the Jandial temple near Taxila. With the Athenians lost, the Thebans were surrounded. With these victories, he secured his northern frontier. Greek biographer Plutarch (ca. [38] During the wedding banquet, a drunken Attalus publicly prayed to the gods that the union would produce a legitimate heir. [59] Alexander then set out on his Asian campaign, leaving Antipater as regent. Alexander in the Qur'an sometimes is identified in Islamic traditions as Dhul-Qarnayn, Arabic for the "Two-Horned One", possibly a reference to the appearance of a horn-headed figure that appears minted during his rule and later imitated in ancient Middle Eastern coinage. [186], At Issus in 333 BC, his first confrontation with Darius, he used the same deployment, and again the central phalanx pushed through. [268] His court historian Callisthenes portrayed the sea in Cilicia as drawing back from him in proskynesis. The Itinerarium Alexandri is a 4th-century Latin Itinerarium which describes Alexander the Great's campaigns. [236] That this export took place is undoubted, and can be seen in the great Hellenistic cities of, for instance, Alexandria, Antioch[245] and Seleucia (south of modern Baghdad). [183], In his first battle in Asia, at Granicus, Alexander used only a small part of his forces, perhaps 13,000 infantry with 5,000 cavalry, against a much larger Persian force of 40,000. [123] Philostratus the Elder in the Life of Apollonius of Tyana writes that in the army of Porus there was an elephant who fought brave against Alexander's army and Alexander dedicated it to the Helios (Sun) and named it Ajax, because he thought that a so great animal deserved a great name. [271], Alexander the Great's accomplishments and legacy have been depicted in many cultures. [277] Later Persian writers associate him with philosophy, portraying him at a symposium with figures such as Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, in search of immortality. A 1998 article in the New England Journal of Medicine attributed his death to typhoid fever complicated by bowel perforation and ascending paralysis. His campaigns greatly increased contacts and trade between East and West, and vast areas to the east were significantly exposed to Greek civilization and influence. [12], In his early years, Alexander was raised by a nurse, Lanike, sister of Alexander's future general Cleitus the Black. Alexander then faced the Assakenoi, who fought against him from the strongholds of Massaga, Ora and Aornos. At the time of his death, Alexander's empire covered some 5,200,000 km2 (2,000,000 sq mi),[235] and was the largest state of its time. [190] Although Alexander was stubborn and did not respond well to orders from his father, he was open to reasoned debate. They refused to be sent away and criticized his adoption of Persian customs and dress and the introduction of Persian officers and soldiers into Macedonian units. However, Alexander met with resistance at Gaza. Etsi töitä, jotka liittyvät hakusanaan Alexander the great appearance tai palkkaa maailman suurimmalta makkinapaikalta, jossa on yli 19 miljoonaa työtä. Olympias had Cleopatra Eurydice and Europa, her daughter by Philip, burned alive. [128], Alexander sent much of his army to Carmania (modern southern Iran) with general Craterus, and commissioned a fleet to explore the Persian Gulf shore under his admiral Nearchus, while he led the rest back to Persia through the more difficult southern route along the Gedrosian Desert and Makran. Finally, an Alexander actor who isn't blond! Alexander earned the epithet "the Great" due to his unparalleled success as a military commander. [1][2] He was undefeated in battle and is widely considered one of history's most successful military commanders.[3]. [69], From Halicarnassus, Alexander proceeded into mountainous Lycia and the Pamphylian plain, asserting control over all coastal cities to deny the Persians naval bases. [185] Alexander placed the phalanx at the center and cavalry and archers on the wings, so that his line matched the length of the Persian cavalry line, about 3 km (1.86 mi). After the defeat, Spitamenes was killed by his own men, who then sued for peace. [106][238] The first, and greatest, was Alexandria in Egypt, which would become one of the leading Mediterranean cities. [157] Another recent analysis suggested pyogenic (infectious) spondylitis or meningitis. British historian Peter Green provided a description of Alexander's appearance, based on his review of statues and some ancient documents: Ancient authors recorded that Alexander was so pleased with portraits of himself created by Lysippos that he forbade other sculptors from crafting his image. In the end, Philip chose Aristotle and provided the Temple of the Nymphs at Mieza as a classroom. [248] The close association of men from across Greece in Alexander's army directly led to the emergence of the largely Attic-based "koine", or "common" Greek dialect. But the science of ethics will always console me for the ignorance of the physical sciences.”—Blaise Pascal (1623–1662). His chroniclers recorded valuable information about the areas through which he marched, while the Greeks themselves got a sense of belonging to a world beyond the Mediterranean. [239][240][241][242], Libanius wrote that Alexander founded the temple of Zeus Bottiaios (Ancient Greek: Βοττιαίου Δῖός), in the place where later the city of Antioch was built. Philip was then named Hegemon (often translated as "Supreme Commander") of this league (known by modern scholars as the League of Corinth), and announced his plans to attack the Persian Empire. [147][149] There was even a suggestion that Aristotle may have participated. [42], In the following year, the Persian satrap (governor) of Caria, Pixodarus, offered his eldest daughter to Alexander's half-brother, Philip Arrhidaeus. When the animal died (because of old age, according to Plutarch, at age thirty), Alexander named a city after him, Bucephala. [132][133] As a gesture of thanks, he paid off the debts of his soldiers, and announced that he would send over-aged and disabled veterans back to Macedon, led by Craterus. [43], In summer 336 BC, while at Aegae attending the wedding of his daughter Cleopatra to Olympias's brother, Alexander I of Epirus, Philip was assassinated by the captain of his bodyguards, Pausanias. It was also said that on this day, the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, burnt down. By turns charismatic and ruthless, brilliant and power hungry, diplomatic and bloodthirsty, Alexander … The elephant had gold rings around its tusks and an inscription was on them written in Greek: "Alexander the son of Zeus dedicates Ajax to the Helios" (ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ Ο ΔΙΟΣ ΤΟΝ ΑΙΑΝΤΑ ΤΩΙ ΗΛΙΩΙ). ALEXANDER the Great, instead of marking his progress by devastations, wisely provided more lasting and honourable monuments of his passage through the countries which he subdued; causing cities and temples to be erected and forming plans for their improvement and future prosperity. [240][241] An inscription from the temple, now housed in the British Museum, declares: "King Alexander dedicated [this temple] to Athena Polias. Actually Alexander was quite short, he had fair or brown hair, as he was Greek, he was almost certainly olive skinned. Alexander “nursed an implacable hostility” toward the soldiers, the historian says, and to satisfy … But Alexander apparently had a change of heart; he followed with his army and “falling upon them suddenly wrought a great slaughter,” according to Diodorus. Yes! He founded some twenty cities that bore his name, most notably Alexandria in Egypt. All three of these people had motive to have Philip murdered. Left to fight alone, they were defeated. [210] He began to identify himself as the son of Zeus-Ammon. [164], While Alexander's funeral cortege was on its way to Macedon, Ptolemy seized it and took it temporarily to Memphis. Alexander gave orders that the sacred flame in the temple should be extinguished, something that was only done on the death of a Great King. This so irritated Alexander, that throwing one of the cups at his head, "You villain," said he, "what, am I then a bastard?" "[53] At Corinth, Alexander took the title of Hegemon ("leader") and, like Philip, was appointed commander for the coming war against Persia. Alexander was awarded the generalship of Greece and used this authority to launch his father's pan-Hellenic project to lead the Greeks in the conquest of Persia. [274] Firdausi's Shahnameh ("The Book of Kings") includes Alexander in a line of legitimate Persian shahs, a mythical figure who explored the far reaches of the world in search of the Fountain of Youth. Alexander not only returned Ambhi his title and the gifts but he also presented him with a wardrobe of "Persian robes, gold and silver ornaments, 30 horses and 1,000 talents in gold". Alexander and his exploits were admired by many Romans, especially generals, who wanted to associate themselves with his achievements. [142], Given the propensity of the Macedonian aristocracy to assassination,[145] foul play featured in multiple accounts of his death. [274] In this tradition, he was a heroic figure who built a wall to defend against the nations of Gog and Magog. [246] Alexander sought to insert Greek elements into Persian culture and attempted to hybridize Greek and Persian culture. Attalus also had severely insulted Alexander, and following Cleopatra's murder, Alexander may have considered him too dangerous to leave alive. Alexander replied that since he was now king of Asia, it was he alone who decided territorial divisions. As his stay was commonly short, the execution of his noble designs was… after his father's rule ended. [259] Julius Caesar dedicated a Lysippean equestrian bronze statue but replaced Alexander's head with his own, while Octavian visited Alexander's tomb in Alexandria and temporarily changed his seal from a sphinx to Alexander's profile. (TOS: "Requiem for Methuselah") A 23rd century analogy made by James T. Kirk regarding the creation of the Human Augments, whose superior ability breed superior ambition, was compared to creating a group of Alexanders and Napoléons. [282], In Greek Anthology there are poems referring to Alexander.[283][284]. [17] Alexander named it Bucephalas, meaning "ox-head". [239] The temple was designed by Pytheos, one of the architects of the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus. [161][162] According to Aelian, a seer called Aristander foretold that the land where Alexander was laid to rest "would be happy and unvanquishable forever". KINGS of MACEDON. Historiography and scholarship agree that Alexander the Great was Greek. Following his father's legacy, Alexander ended the Greek, Thracian and Illyrian rebellions. [138][139] Hephaestion's death devastated Alexander, and he ordered the preparation of an expensive funeral pyre in Babylon, as well as a decree for public mourning. When Onesicritus read this passage to his patron, Alexander's general and later King Lysimachus reportedly quipped, "I wonder where I was at the time. [229], Green argues that there is little evidence in ancient sources that Alexander had much carnal interest in women; he did not produce an heir until the very end of his life. [233] Green suggested that, in the context of the period, Alexander formed quite strong friendships with women, including Ada of Caria, who adopted him, and even Darius' mother Sisygambis, who supposedly died from grief upon hearing of Alexander's death. Alexander became legendary as a classical hero in the mould of Achilles, and he features prominently in the history and mythic traditions of both Greek and non-Greek cultures. [10] Although Philip had seven or eight wives, Olympias was his principal wife for some time, likely because she gave birth to Alexander. [81] Henceforth, Alexander often referred to Zeus-Ammon as his true father, and after his death, currency depicted him adorned with the Horns of Ammon as a symbol of his divinity. Athens sued for peace and Alexander pardoned the rebels. However, the memorial was found to be dedicated to the dearest friend of Alexander the Great, Hephaestion. Greek astronomical treatise) and Paulisa Siddhanta texts depict the influence of Greek astronomical ideas on Indian astronomy. This page contains a listing of all known appearances of Alexander the Great (New Earth). Around AD 200, Emperor Septimius Severus closed Alexander's tomb to the public. Everyone seems to want a stake in Alexander the Great, even those focused on hair color. [201] This was no doubt in part due to Aristotle's tutelage; Alexander was intelligent and quick to learn. [96] The Persian king no longer controlled his own destiny, and was taken prisoner by Bessus, his Bactrian satrap and kinsman. \"Philip ensured Alexander was given a noteworthy and significant education. [254][256][257] The Yavanajataka (lit. [68] Alexander left the government of Caria to a member of the Hecatomnid dynasty, Ada, who adopted Alexander. [103] However, when, at some point later, Alexander was on the Jaxartes dealing with an incursion by a horse nomad army, Spitamenes raised Sogdiana in revolt. [12] During Philip's absence, the Thracian Maedi revolted against Macedonia. Alexander the Great’s military tactics and strategies are still studied in military academies today. 31.—IONIA", "Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854), MIMAS", "The Mughal Sikander: Influence of the Romance of Alexander on Mughal Manuscript Painting", "Quintus Curtius Rufus, History of Alexander the Great", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alexander_the_Great&oldid=1006627323, Articles containing Ancient Greek (to 1453)-language text, Wikipedia indefinitely semi-protected pages, Wikipedia indefinitely move-protected pages, Short description is different from Wikidata, Wikipedia articles needing clarification from April 2016, Articles with unsourced statements from August 2015, Articles containing Persian-language text, Pages using Sister project links with hidden wikidata, Pages using Sister project links with default search, Articles with Encyclopædia Britannica links, Wikipedia articles with BALaT identifiers, Wikipedia articles with BIBSYS identifiers, Wikipedia articles with CANTIC identifiers, Wikipedia articles with CINII identifiers, Wikipedia articles with PLWABN identifiers, Wikipedia articles with SELIBR identifiers, Wikipedia articles with SNAC-ID identifiers, Wikipedia articles with SUDOC identifiers, Wikipedia articles with TePapa identifiers, Wikipedia articles with Trove identifiers, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Construction of a monumental tomb for his father Philip, "to match the greatest of the, Conquest of Arabia and the entire Mediterranean basin, Development of cities and the "transplant of populations from Asia to Europe and in the opposite direction from Europe to Asia, in order to bring the largest continent to common unity and to friendship by means of intermarriage and family ties", "Empire" as a description of foreign policy, This page was last edited on 13 February 2021, at 22:22. Irish playwright Aubrey Thomas de Vere wrote Alexander the Great, a Dramatic Poem. [114], After Aornos, Alexander crossed the Indus and fought and won an epic battle against King Porus, who ruled a region lying between the Hydaspes and the Acesines (Chenab), in what is now the Punjab, in the Battle of the Hydaspes in 326 BC. The Theban resistance was ineffective, and Alexander razed the city and divided its territory between the other Boeotian cities. [190] Olympias' influence instilled a sense of destiny in him,[196] and Plutarch tells how his ambition "kept his spirit serious and lofty in advance of his years". Any other answer would cause the mermaid to turn into a raging Gorgon who would drag the ship to the bottom of the sea, all hands aboard. Origins | Army | Traveling | Battle | Rule | Critical factors | See also. [16], This article is about the ancient king of Macedonia. [106], A plot against his life was revealed, and one of his officers, Philotas, was executed for failing to alert Alexander. [77], When Alexander destroyed Tyre, most of the towns on the route to Egypt quickly capitulated. The Athenians, led by Demosthenes, voted to seek alliance with Thebes against Macedonia. [144][147] The accounts were nevertheless fairly consistent in designating Antipater, recently removed as Macedonian viceroy, and at odds with Olympias, as the head of the alleged plot. [138][223] This event may have contributed to Alexander's failing health and detached mental state during his final months. [159][160] Natural-cause theories also tend to emphasize that Alexander's health may have been in general decline after years of heavy drinking and severe wounds. attempt". [48] He also had two Macedonian princes from the region of Lyncestis killed, but spared a third, Alexander Lyncestes. Greek biographer Plutarch (c.  45 – c. 120 AD) describes Alexander's appearance as: The outward appearance of Alexander is best represented by the statues of him which Lysippus made, and it was by this artist alone that Alexander himself thought it fit that he should be modelled. [274], The figure of Dhul-Qarnayn (literally "the Two-Horned One") mentioned in the Quran is believed by scholars to be based on later legends of Alexander. He had a high complexion and a harsh voice. [230] Two of these pregnancies — Stateira's and Barsine's — are of dubious legitimacy. [29], Philip and his army joined his son in 338 BC, and they marched south through Thermopylae, taking it after stubborn resistance from its Theban garrison. At Termessos, Alexander humbled but did not storm the Pisidian city. [125] This river thus marks the easternmost extent of Alexander's conquests. [16], When Alexander was ten years old, a trader from Thessaly brought Philip a horse, which he offered to sell for thirteen talents. Several examples of capitals displaying Ionic influences can be seen as far as Patna, especially with the Pataliputra capital, dated to the 3rd century BC. Alexander then marched for three days to the Danube, encountering the Getae tribe on the opposite shore. Alexander the Great had made his seat of government in Babylon , the capital of Babylonia (the alluvial plain between the Euphrates and Tigris), and he wanted to hold the funeral ceremony within the walls of the city. Alexander’s most telling tribute: he cut his hair short in mourning, this last a poignant reminder of Achilles' last gift to Patroclus on his funeral pyre. Alexander endeavoured to reach the "ends of the world and the Great Outer Sea" and invaded India in 326 BC, winning an important victory over the Pauravas at the Battle of the Hydaspes. [276] Alexander was depicted as performing a Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca) many times in subsequent Islamic art and literature. By the time of his death in 323 BC, he had managed to subdue a large part of the known world, and his empire stretched from the Aegean in the west to India in the east, and from Macedonia in the north to Egypt in the south. [70] At the ancient Phrygian capital of Gordium, Alexander "undid" the hitherto unsolvable Gordian Knot, a feat said to await the future "king of Asia". [274], According to Josephus, Alexander was shown the Book of Daniel when he entered Jerusalem, which described a mighty Greek king who would conquer the Persian Empire. [258] The Corinthian order is also heavily represented in the art of Gandhara, especially through Indo-Corinthian capitals. … Alexander the Great (356BC - 323BC) was the son of King Philip II of Macedonia. Lysippos had often used the Contrapposto sculptural scheme to portray Alexander and other characters such as Apoxyomenos, Hermes and Eros. [207][208], He appears to have believed himself a deity, or at least sought to deify himself. [12] Plutarch stated that Philip, overjoyed at this display of courage and ambition, kissed his son tearfully, declaring: "My boy, you must find a kingdom big enough for your ambitions. These Greco-Buddhist kingdoms sent some of the first Buddhist missionaries to China, Sri Lanka and Hellenistic Asia and Europe (Greco-Buddhist monasticism). [237], Over the course of his conquests, Alexander founded some twenty cities that bore his name, most of them east of the Tigris. If you're seeing this message, it means we're having trouble loading external resources on our website. His son and successor, Caracalla, a great admirer, visited the tomb during his own reign. [154][155] Another poisoning explanation put forward in 2010 proposed that the circumstances of his death were compatible with poisoning by water of the river Styx (modern-day Mavroneri in Arcadia, Greece) that contained calicheamicin, a dangerous compound produced by bacteria. Educated by Aristotle, he was inspired by Homer's heroes as he grew up in great privilege but fortunately also great learning. [141] There are two different versions of Alexander's death and details of the death differ slightly in each. After a long pause due to an illness, he marched on towards Syria. For those peculiarities which many of his successors and friends afterwards tried to imitate, namely, the poise of the neck, which was bent slightly to the left, and the melting glance of his eyes, this artist has accurately observed. The Greek cities on the western coast of Anatolia revolted until the news arrived that Philip had been murdered and had been succeeded by his young son Alexander. During the ensuing Battle of Chaeronea, Philip commanded the right wing and Alexander the left, accompanied by a group of Philip's trusted generals. [261], Emperor Julian in his satire called "The Caesars", describes a contest between the previous Roman emperors, with Alexander the Great called in as an extra contestant, in the presence of the assembled gods.[262]. [111], In general, Greece enjoyed a period of peace and prosperity during Alexander's campaign in Asia. Alexander the Great was a historical figure in Earth history. [122] The other was Nicaea (Victory), thought to be located at the site of modern-day Mong, Punjab. [121] Alexander founded two cities on opposite sides of the Hydaspes river, naming one Bucephala, in honour of his horse, who died around this time. Alexander himself took selected troops on the direct route to the city. [59] This was due to use of terrain, phalanx and cavalry tactics, bold strategy, and the fierce loyalty of his troops. The famous encounter between Alexander and Diogenes the Cynic occurred during Alexander's stay in Corinth. Instead, they supported Alexander's half-brother Philip Arrhidaeus. Under Aristotle's tutelage, Alexander developed a passion for the works of Homer, and in particular the Iliad; Aristotle gave him an annotated copy, which Alexander later carried on his campaigns. He ruled Macedonia beginning in 336 B.C. Pompey the Great adopted the epithet "Magnus" and even Alexander's anastole-type haircut, and searched the conquered lands of the east for Alexander's 260-year-old cloak, which he then wore as a sign of greatness. [133] Meanwhile, upon his return to Persia, Alexander learned that guards of the tomb of Cyrus the Great in Pasargadae had desecrated it, and swiftly executed them.
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