·
Parentage
o
King Phillip : Alexander’s father
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Birthplace : Pella of Macedon
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King from 359 BC – 336 BC (assassinated)
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While held hostage, he learned military and
diplomatic education
o
Olympias : Alexander’s mother
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Originally a princess
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Arranged marriage to King Phillip
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She though Zeus was the father of Alexander
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Horrible relationship with Phillip
§
She was born around Macedonia but she wasn’t a
true Macedonian
·
Early Years
o
344 BC – a dealer gave Phillip a black horse but
when Phillip refused to take it, Alexander said that he would tame the horse
§
The horse was afraid of its shadow
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Its name was Bucephalus
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Mythical – it was better than a Pegasus
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Alexander had the horse for the rest of his
life; rode it into battle and war
o
Education
§
Tutored by Leondias
·
Math, horsemanship, archery
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343 BC – tutored by Aristotle
·
Rise to Power
o
Phillip II was assassinated in 336 BC in Macedon
by Pausanian
§
One theory was that the Persians persuaded
Pausanain
§
Another theory was that Pausanain had a loving
relationship with Phillip – GAY
o
Family Relationship
§
Bad relationship with his father
§
Took the throne after his father died
o
Assuming Power
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People doubted him
§
He was 20
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People plotted to overthrow Alexander, so he had
them executed
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His plan was to conquer most of the land
·
Military Career
o
Fight the Persians
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Revenge of King Phillip
o
Battle if Granicus River
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335 BC : Alexander crossed Hellenspont
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334 BC : fought Troy
o
Siege of Halicarnassus
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Fought in 334 BC
o
Egypt
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Stronghold of Gaza
§
Fourth assault they took over
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Men were killed, women and children were sold
into slavery
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Alex let Egypt live, but simply pay taxes
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Egypt made him Pharoah
·
India
o
Alexander marched into 327 BC
o
He invaded Punjab
o
326 BC – forces met at Porus
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The Indians fought on elephants
o
Alexander’s horse died
o
Revolt of the army
§
Macedonians fled after hearing about the
elephants
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He talked to General Coenus
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Malli – most war like Indians
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Thousands of soldiers died in Gerdosian Desert
o
Returning home
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Hydaspes + Indus Rivers
·
Death
o
When?
§
Alexander the Great died either on June 10, 323
BC or June 11, 323 BC
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He was only 32, a month away from being 33
o
How?
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The death until this day is still a mystery
§
One theory to his death is that he drank
poisoned wine
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Another theory is that he got sick with malaria
and then died
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The idea that he engaged in a large drinking
party was one thought
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People also think that since he drank so much
and had bad wounds that his health was not the best
o
Where?
§
Alexander died in the palace of Nebuchanezzar
II, in Babylon
o
Why?
§
Roughly 14 days before the death of Alexander,
he entertained admiral Nearchus, and spent the night and next day drinking with
Medius of Larissa. Eventually, he developed a fever, which worsened until he
unable to speak.
§
One theory was that people thought that he had
been poisoned. The belief is that Antipater arranged for Alexander to be
poisoned by his son, Iollas, who was Alexander's wine-pourer. Suggestions rose
that Aristotle may have participated in this act.
o
Aftermath
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His body was laid in a gold sarcophagus, with
honey, and then put in a gold casket.
§
On the way to his funeral, his sarcophagus was
taken to Alexandria and his was replaced with a glass one so they could make
coins with it.
o
If He Didn’t Die
§
Historians believe that Alexander wouldn’t have
lived much longer than he did.
§
His next plan, though, was to conquer all of
India and then head back towards Europe.
·
Ruling Style
o
Treatment of Foes
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He tried to make peace, but if they attacked, he
would kill the men and sell the women and children
o
Hellenistic Era
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Macedonian rule for the next 200-300 years
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The purpose was to combine Greek and Persian
ways and cultures
o
Succession
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Division affected Macedonians
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Macedonia unity collapsed after 40 years
