Alexander the Great - Legend
Early Life
Born: July 20 356 BC in Pella Macedonia.
Parents: King Phillip II of Macedon and Queen Olympias.
Siblings: Cleopatra (full), Phillip III, Cynane, Thessalonike, Europa, Caranus.
Father was absent regularly due to his duties, causing Alexander to resent him.
Rebellious student but enjoyed the topics taught to him by Leonidas, Lysimachus and Aristotle.
Inspired by Homer’s Iliad to become a heroic warrior.
At 12, tamed a wild stallion called Bucephalus who would serve along side him for years to come.
Completed education in 340 BC.
Year later became a soldier and embarked on first military expedition.
At 16, left in charge in his dad’s absence and drove Thracian Maedi away.
His father remarried, dethroning Olympias, causing them to flee to Epirus. This lasted until Phillip and Alexander could reconcile their differences.
Career
At 19, his dad died, he attempted to seize the throne in which he succeeded with the help of the Macedonian army. He murdered potential heirs and a half sister, with help of his mum.
Became king upon the death of his father in 336BCE.
His first military battle was when he was 18 years old – the Battle of Charonea in 338BCE.
Embarked campaign, to continue his fathers aim, to conquest Persian Empire.
Wanted to know everything about areas passed and concored brought scientists with him, to learn about – biology, zoology and typography.
His army consisted of 32,000 infantry and Calvary.
Alexander crossed over Asia Minor in 334BCE.
He defeated large forces of King Darius III (the Persian King)– Battle of Issos.
He conquered Aleppo in Phocean city.
In 332BCE he conquered Syria then Egypt in 331BCE, that was when he founded city of Alexandria.
In Egypt he did not impose religion on them as long as they kept their supply lines open for military equipment.
Alexander met King Darius III on the battle field at Gaugamela. Darius was assassinated, Alexander then proclaimed himself King of Asia.
Then he marched on City of Susa – they surrendered.
Alexander then marched to Persepolis in 330BCE. Destroyed the main palace for revenge.
Then conquered bactria and Saydanna .
Alexander founded many cities bearing his name as a god and adopted the Persian title of Shahshah (king of kings).
Was planned to be assassinated, he murdered the people who conspired against them Callistle and Cletis.
Then conquered India in 327BCE – Taxila.
Personal Life
had many complicated emotional and intimate relationships
Was closer to his mother, Olympias, than his father, their relationship was intimate
Had three wives, which was common for Macedonian royalty
First wife was Roxane, the daughter of a powerful Bactrian chieftain, this marriage produces an heir, his first son, Alexander IV
Second wife was Statiera (Barsine), the daughter of King Darius
Third wife was Parysatis, the daughter of a previous great king.
Marriages had clear strategic value, and he had many relationships outside of his marriage, both bisexual and incestual
Had an emotional and intimate relationship with his friend, Hephaestian.
Alexander the Great riding Bucephalus. (<http://www.greece-is.com/macedonia-alexander-the-great/> 2015).
References:
A&E Television Networks, 2018. Alexander the Great, viewed on 9 October 2018. <https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/alexander-the-great>.
BBC History, 2014. Alexander the Great (356-323 BC), viewed on 9 October 2018. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/alexander_the_great.shtml>.
Bio, 2018. Alexander the Great, viewed on 9 October 2018. <https://www.biography.com/people/alexander-the-great-9180468>.
Joshua J Mark, 2013, Alexander the Great, Ancient History Encyclopedia, 14th November 2013, < https://www.ancient.eu/Alexander_the_Great/>
The Terramar Project, 2017, Study examines Extent of Microplastic Pollution in the Persian Gulf, June 21 2017, <http://theterramarproject.org/dc-archive/study-examines-extent-microplastic-pollution-persian-gulf/>
The Terramar Project, 2017, Study examines Extent of Microplastic Pollution in the Persian Gulf, June 21 2017, <http://theterramarproject.org/dc-archive/study-examines-extent-microplastic-pollution-persian-gulf/>
