Lecture on Alexander the Great

Introduction

• Part of a series on Iron Age Mesopotamia and the Mediterranean Basin.
• Previous lectures covered Greeks, Hebrews, and Persians.
• Upcoming lecture will compare developments in China.
• Alexander the Great: Greek who conquered Persia, influential historical figure.

Background on Mediterranean World (~400 BCE)

• Post-Peloponnesian War Greece: shattered due to war, no dominant power.
• Period of Theban hegemony, followed by political vacuum.
• Persian Empire: in decline, feudal system with rebellious satraps.
• Artaxerxes III: restored some stability to Persia by disbanding satrap armies.

Rise of Macedonia

• Macedonia on the periphery, bordered Greeks and Persians.
• Philip II of Macedonia: unlikely king due to succession, became king as a third son after brothers died childless.
• Royal hostage system: Philip held in Thebes as hostage during Theban control.
• Philip II revolutionized the Macedonian military, developed the Macedonian Phalanx and the Sarissa weapon.
• Conquered Illyria and Thrace, expanded Macedonian influence.

Philip II and Greek Relations

• Philip admired Greek culture, tutored his son Alexander under Aristotle.
• Engaged in Greek politics and wars, notably the Battle of Crocus Field and Cheronia.
• Formed the Hellenic League intending to invade Persia.

Alexander the Great's Ascension

• Philip II assassinated, Alexander becomes king at age 20.
• Suppressed revolts in Illyria, Thrace, and Greece to secure his reign.
• Known for military brilliance, educated under Aristotle.

Alexander's Campaigns and Conquests

• Invaded Asia in 334 BCE, crossed the Hellespont claiming Asia.
• Battle of Gronicus: reckless charge led by Alexander, victory against Persians.
• Liberated Ionian cities, moved through Anatolia and Levant.
• Battle of Issus: defeated Darius III, Alexander's personal bravery pivotal.
• Capture of Tyre and Gaza, harsh reprisals against resisting cities.
• Founded Alexandria in Egypt, partied for months, then resumed conquest.

Persian Campaign and Battle of Gagamela

• Battle of Gagamela: Alexander outnumbered but used tactical genius to defeat Darius III.
• Captured Babylon and Persepolis without resistance, looted Persepolis.
• City of Persepolis burned, reasons remain speculative.
• Pursued Darius III, who was killed by his satrap Bessus.

Alexander's Expansion into Asia

• Chased Bessus into Central Asia, conquered regions up to modern-day Afghanistan and India.
• Founded many cities named Alexandria, Kandahar in Afghanistan being one of them.
• Troops mutinied at Ganges River; Alexander turned back.

Alexander's Death and Legacy

• Died in Babylon at age 32, cause of death unknown.
• Left an enormous but unstable empire.
• Civil war followed, leading to division into four empires: Seleucid Mesopotamia, Ptolemaic Egypt, Adalid Anatolia, Antigonid Macedonia.

Legacy of Alexander the Great

1. Contact: Connected Europe with Central and South Asia, facilitating trade and exchange of ideas.
2. Culture: Spread Hellenic culture across Asia, influencing future civilizations.
3. Politics: Brought Europe into Mediterranean geopolitics, paving the way for future empires like Rome.

• Alexander's legacy had long-lasting impacts on world history through these connections and cultural diffusion.