Assignment 4

Jessica Davis AC 1700770 World Civilizations I Assignment 4 July 7, 2017 Alexander III of Macedonia is also known as Alexander the Great (20/21 July 356 BC – 10/11 June 323 BC). When his father died, he was appointed king. His father instilled in him a military and political future because he knew that he would succeed him. Alexander the Great was taught by a well know educator by the name of Aristotle. Alexanders mind was opened not only to the basic functions, but it was also opened up to philosophy, science, and medicine. He was known as Alexander the Great for his military intelligence as well as how he dominated lands from the Indies to the west of the Nile as well as how he conquered vast territories. There are many philosophies on how and why Alexander won all of his battles. He would explore dangerous areas alone to keep his army safe as well as himself. He investigated the land he wished to conquer. He would study his enemies psychology, their methods of warfare and their weapons. Alexander could see his opponent's strength and weaknesses, recognizing this allowed him to use exploitation to its greatest effect. He left nothing undone in any military situation. Alexander the Great had numerous military victories. There are, three battles that he won that are of great importance. His first victory against King Darius, this is when he crossed into Hellespoint. King Darius decided to stand at the Granicus River. Alexander knew crossing the river was to danger and the banks were too steep for his men. The Persian cavalry was about four times as large compared to Alexander and his Macedonians. King Darius kept moving his men, where he fought with the Persians at The Battle Gaugamela northwest of Babylon. Alexander found Persians treasures vast gold and silver when he proceeded into the Persian capitals of Sasce and Persepolis. Alexander the Great held the office and took the title of the Great King of Persia when one of his men killed King Darius. Alexander brought Egypt, the Persian Empire, and much of the Middle East under his control. As stated earlier, Alexander was well educated at a very young age and was given control of the cavalry at the battle of Chaeronea. He put down the Greek rebellion and secured Macedonians frontlines. In 331 B.C., Alexander entered Egypt, and by the winter of 332 B.C. E., Alexander dominated Palestine, Egypt, and Syria. The Persian satrap surrender and the Macedonians welcomed the Egyptians as liberators. Alexander the Great took the title of the Pharaoh of Egypt and founded the first city of Alexandria which was named after him. As the Greek administrative capital of Egypt, he never lived to see the city built. Alexander has his eyes on India after taking control over Egypt. The spring of 327 B.C, he entered India and invaded Punjab. At the river Hydaspes, was of Alexander's greatest battles in India against King Porus who was one of the most powerful Indian rulers. The summer of 327 B. C., Alexander's armies crossed the river during a thunderstorm to meet King Porus forces. Alexander defeated the Indians; they fought with elephants, something the Macedonians had never seen before. Alexander captured Porus, but he allowed him to govern over his territories. Alexander had more territory to captured; his troops were tired and weary of fighting, so they refused. Alexander knew he needed his men to continue, so he turned back and led his troops across southern Persia. Many of his men died due to harsh conditions they were not prepared for before they reached Babylon. Fallen soldiers did not stop him from planning more conquest. In 323 B.C.E., he was weakened from wounds, fever, and excessive alcohol consumption. Alexander died at the age of 32. Alexander the Great's legacy is profound. Regardless of Alexander's ideas, views or motives, and the extension of ideas and Greek Language to the non-Greek world of the Middle East. He first defeated the Persian Empire and united the Greek city-states. With the destruction of the Persian Monarchy, opportunities were created for the Greek administrator's merchants, engineers, soldiers, and intellectuals. They were able to participate in the new political unity based on Monarchy's principles. After his death, his successors used force, and military monarchies dominated the Hellenistic world. The Romans were the real heirs of his legacy and were inspired by the visions of an empire. Alexander left a cultural and political legacy. The legacy of his culture resulted in art, architecture, Greek language, and literature which spread throughout the Middle East. Alexander founded the Urban centers. His successors became the pivotal force for the diffusion of the Greek culture. His legacy created fusion and class of different cultures. Alexanders ambitions spawned Greek ideas which would have remained in Greece otherwise. Many agree Alexander the Great’s actions were more of a tyrant than a great. The Greek's did not like Alexander; they believed his conquests was by luck rather than strategy. Without the actions of his father Phillip II., Alexander would not have been able to accomplish these feats. References www.google.com/Alexanderthegreat. Retrieved July 7, 2017 Durant W. The life of Greece. Simon and Schuster 2011 Retrieved July 6, 2017 Winthrop. L. A., Alexander the Great, Longman, 2004 Retrieved July 6, 2017 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_the_Great Retrieved July 7, 2017