Describe the conquests of Alexander the Great and analyze the legacy of his empire. (Refer to chapter 7 of your textbook and additional references) Be sure to mention his impact on Persia, India, and Egypt as well as the cultural implications of his conquests.
HS150.3.1 World Civilizations I
Assignment 03,
Alexander the Great
One of the greatest and successful conquests in all of history of the world was the conquest of Alexander the Great, the king of Macedonia. He was one of the most powerful king in the history. He was a brilliant, patient and military genius. It was believed that he was a descendant of the God. During his regime, he got a victory in a battle against Persia, Greece, Egypt, Asia Minor, secured the Mediterranean sea and many more. The intelligence of Alexander the Great was unbelievable and was recognized when he was 12 years old. He was born in 356 BC to King Philip II and his wife Olympias in Pella, the ancient capital of Macedonia. Alexander ascended to the Macedonian throne after the murder of his father, King Philip in 336 BC. Alexander the Great was one of the most famous great general and conqueror of the world.
Alexander ascended to the throne when he was at the age of 20. He was one of the most amazing leaders in the history of the world. He started to expand his empire from Greece to the Asia and most part of the eastern European continent by 2500 miles. The reason behind the successful empire of Alexander the great was his political and military talents, which he learned from the Greek philosopher Aristotle from 343 BC. After his father's murder, Alexander destroyed the powerful city of Thebes in Greece and started to conquer his empire. Then, he tried to move towards Persia, which Philip had planned. But it was not so easy to him to attack Persia because of the strong, large and experienced military power of Persia than Greece. Alexander moved to the south to conquer Egypt through Syria and Palestine. He secured the Mediterranean coastline from where Persia could not attack them from that side. He spends the winter in Egypt. In Egypt he founds the greatest city known by his name Alexandria. Later, his eager to conquest Persia he moved quickly against Persia and got a victory by defeating the Persian Emperor Darius III, who had a twice large military than him. Alexander's military talent in a battle was outstanding. He was not only plan a sequence of moves but to anticipate response to his enemies. He was also ever ready with countermeasures. After winning a battle against Persia, Alexander continued to expand his kingdom in Afghanistan and by crossing through the Khyber Pass into India.
Alexander was not so well known about the kingdom and the military power of India. He fought a battle to the most powerful King Porus of Punjab, with the support of Ambhi. When he arrived in a battle against Porus he saw that Porus had the fords guarded with elephants. Alexander's soldiers were afraid because they had not seen elephant in a battle. But at the end, military genius Alexander the great won the battle against India. He lost his horse named Bucephalus in this war and returned to Persia. He had ridden Bucephalus from Europe to Asia into every one of his battles. The battle of the Hydaspes was the last battle of the Alexander's life. Alexander the great was well known about how to run the empire successfully. But it was more difficult to run the former Persian Empire than defeating it. He tried to mix Persian and Greek cultures in Persia by persuading his soldiers, taking several Persian wives and by giving a position in important political and administrative department to both Greeks and Persians. He followed Persian governing practices. It is also said that he thought himself "a governor from God and a reconciler of the world." He hoped that Greek culture would spread all over the Persia, Egypt and Asia minor through his action and by inspiring peoples to accept virtue, excellence, wisdom and truth. He had attempt to fuse his Greek culture in every cities where he conquered.
Alexander's inspiration for success was compelled by glory. He was a military genius because he knew the strategy. He knew that the real power of a king is his military. That’s why he rose the size and unity of his army. It is said that he would never drink water until he knew that all of his soldiers had sufficient water to drink. It shows his respect and kind heart towards his soldiers. He was also known as the creator of the phalanx style of battle. This style of battle is made up of hoplites in columns. He was a real hero who conquered his empire from Europe to Asia. He had created a multi cultural environment in his kingdom. He founded 70 cities and many more. He established a east-west trade route from Asia to Europe. When Alexander stopped to conquer his empire, he engaged himself in festivals and celebrations on his own greatness. In 323 BC, he was badly suffered from fever and grew weaker of his alcoholic behavior. He died at the age of 33 from the symptoms of malaria.
Alexander the great created the history of mankind. He changed the living lifestyle and connected the different cultures by spreading Greek culture and language. His carrier marks watershed in the Greece and eastern Europe. He changed the history and the world in very short time. Alexander established a Hellenic culture through out the world and because of him the west is what it is today. Alexander's undefeated military and his victory after victory gives him a title 'The Great' in the history of the world. He also opened a door for Greek science, math, literature and architecture, where the world is today. He was one of the important, genius, famous and most influential ruler of the Ancient Grecian world.
References
Edward H. Judge & John W. Langdon (2012). Connections: A World History (2nd Ed.). New York: Pearson.
Philip Freeman (2011). Alexander the Great. New York: Simon & Schuster.
O'Brien & John Maxwell (1992). Alexander the Great: The Invisible Enemy. London: Routledge.
Frank W. Walbank (n.d.). Alexander the Great: King of Macedonia. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/14224/Alexander-the-Great
