Background
Alexander was an important emperor of Ancient Greece, who reigned from 336 BC to 323 BC. He is simply known as one of the greatest military geniuses of all time. He was also famous for never losing a battle, and for expanding his empire in such a short time, in such a young age. Thanks to Alexander, his empire successfully colonized Persian territories of Asia Minor, Syria, and Egypt. Alexander had left many legacies in the world, and his military tactics are simply outstanding.
Childhood
Alexander was born in Pella, the ancient capital of Macedonia, in July 356 BC. His father was Philip II, the King of Macedonia, and Olympias, the Princess of Epirus. At age 12, Alexander tamed the most dangerous horse in Macedonia, Bucephalus, proving his bravery and intelligence to his father. At age 13, King Philip II hired Aristotle, a famous Greek philosopher, as Alexander’s personal tutor. For 3 years, Aristotle trained Alexander in Literature, Science, Medicine, and Philosophy.
When Philip invaded Thrace is 340 BC, Alexander became the substitute ruler of Macedonia at age 16. This means that Alexander was capable of ruling at such a young age. At that time, North Macedonia rebelled, but Alexander succeeded in winning against the rebels with the Macedonian army. 2 years later in 338 BC, Philip invaded Greece with the help of Alexander, who became a commander of senior generals. In the Battle of Chaeronea, Alexander showed his bravery by destroying the Elite Greek Force, called the ‘Theban Secret Band’.
When Philip invaded Thrace is 340 BC, Alexander became the substitute ruler of Macedonia at age 16. This means that Alexander was capable of ruling at such a young age. At that time, North Macedonia rebelled, but Alexander succeeded in winning against the rebels with the Macedonian army. 2 years later in 338 BC, Philip invaded Greece with the help of Alexander, who became a commander of senior generals. In the Battle of Chaeronea, Alexander showed his bravery by destroying the Elite Greek Force, called the ‘Theban Secret Band’.
Taking the Throne
In 336 BC, Philip was assassinated, before he started his campaign to rule Persia, the empire who took Athens a century earlier. When Alexander took the throne at age 20, he had a goal to pursue Philip’s dream to conquer and avenge the Persian Empire. Alexander saw this as an opportunity for him to be remembered in history. He was thirsty for war, and glory was everything that he had ever wanted. Philip’s death also caused rebellions from the Illyrians, Thracians, and the Greeks. Since then, he wanted to proof himself better than his father, and he stopped all the rebels. Soon, he was thirsty for war, and started the Persian campaign. 13,500 soldiers were assigned to watch over the rebelled nations and protect the kingdom of Macedonia.
Persia Campaign (part 1)
The campaign started in 334 BC. Alexander’s goal was to kill Darius III, who was the current king of the Persian Empire. At the Battle of Granicus, Alexander fought with 25,000 Macedonians, 7,600 Greeks, and 7,000 Thracians and Illyrians. In the other hand, Darius’ army consists of 20,000 Persians and 20,000 Greeks. Surprisingly, Alexander won the battle by killing 18,000 armies and sending 2000 survivors into labor. Not to mention that Alexander only lost 120 men. Unfortunately, King Darius fled during the battle. The next battle was the Battle of Issus, which happened in 333 BC. This time, King Darius had assembled 30,000 Greeks in battle, but once again, Alexander earned another victory, and King Darius fled for the second time.
Conquest of Egypt
In the middle of his campaign, Alexander decided to march to Egypt, the empire that at that time was ruled by the Persians for almost 200 years. When Alexander came, the Egyptians gladly surrendered and crowned Alexander as their pharaoh. There, he founded the city of Alexandria in the mouth of the Nile River, a great city that included a cosmopolitan port, schools, theater, and great library. In total, Alexander had founded about 20 new cities, mostly named after him. With this conquest, Alexander had initiated culture exchange with Greece that lasted for 300 years. In conclusion, Alexander wanted to leave a legacy. He saw this conquest as a chance to be someone who would be recognized in history. In the present day, Alexandria is a city with 4.5 million citizens.
Alexander's myth
Since Alex valued image and publicity, and was determined to become legend in his time, he had his own journalist, Callisthenes. He was the one who created the myth that Alexander is the Son of Zeus… or a god on earth. And at that time, Alexander believed that he really was a living god. But being a ‘living god’ was not enough for Alexander. He still had the desire to take over the Persian Empire, even the whole Asia continent. Since then, Alexander’s arrogant side began to grow. He showed his cruelty and arrogance when Batis spitted to Alexander. The punishment was to be executed by being dragged around the city until death.
Persia Campaign (part 2)
Once again, Alexander continued his campaign to destroy the empire of which the Spartans and Athenians had once failed to conquer. It was 331 BC, and Alexander had prepared an army of 45,000 men to fight in the Battle of Gaugamela. Darius III, in the opposite hand, had an army of 250,000 men, outnumbering Alexander. But with unbelievable war tactics and strategies, Alexander won the war with only losing a small amount of men. This was his greatest victory, but unfortunately for him, Darius III fled from the battle.
Not long after, Alexander destroyed the capital of Persia, Persepolis, by burning the city. Alexander soon started pursuing Darius III after the empire was under his control. Though, unluckily, it was revealed hat Darius was killed by the satrap Bessus (who then, called himself the ‘King of Asia’). This disappointed Alexander, and he quickly captured Bessus to be tortured and executed. Alexander, age 25, had became the leader of Greece, the pharaoh of Egypt, the king of Persia, and the overlord of Asia Minor. His empire was the largest in the world at that time, but Alexander found this boring. He was still unsatisfied.
Not long after, Alexander destroyed the capital of Persia, Persepolis, by burning the city. Alexander soon started pursuing Darius III after the empire was under his control. Though, unluckily, it was revealed hat Darius was killed by the satrap Bessus (who then, called himself the ‘King of Asia’). This disappointed Alexander, and he quickly captured Bessus to be tortured and executed. Alexander, age 25, had became the leader of Greece, the pharaoh of Egypt, the king of Persia, and the overlord of Asia Minor. His empire was the largest in the world at that time, but Alexander found this boring. He was still unsatisfied.
‘Megalomaniac’
Alexander wanted strong unity and diversity in his empire by encouraging the Macedonians and the Persians to marry each other. He even assembled a new army that was a mixture of soldiers from both empires. Therefore, Alexander was confident that his deeds are more heroic than his father’s. Before long, he wanted to be worshipped like a god, for he was hungry for praise and obsessed with power. He expected his men to worship Alexander in the same way that the Greek gods were worshipped. His campaign journalist, Callisthenes, refused to worship Alexander, and Alexander punished him by execution. In conclusion, Alexander was a very egoistic megalomaniac, being controlled by his extreme desires.
India Campaign
After colonizing the territories of Asia Minor, Syria, and Egypt without losing a battle, Alexander planned to colonize India in 327 BC. On his way, he unexpectedly encountered a battle against King Porus, called the Battle of River Hydaspes. Porus attacked with animals that Alexander had never seen before: elephants. Although, Alexander didn’t lost the battle. As Alexander and his army continued to march deeper into India, his men were exhausted and begged Alexander to return to Macedonia.
Death
In 323 BC, Alexander reached Babylon and was planning to invade Arabia soon. In the city, he drank heavily at prolonged banquets, which caused him to fell sick. He had a fever that made him speechless for several days. In the month of June, Alexander died at age 32.
Legacy
After his death, he made an enormous impact to the world. Alexander was a military model for many great generals throughout history, including Hannibal the Carthaginian, Pompey & Caesar of Rome, and Napoleon, who had a desire to become the next Alexander. His military tactics are still studied until today. He also introduced the idea of absolute monarchy, and improved the efficiency of trade and communication in the Ancient world. In addition, Alexander was credited for founding great cities and for allowing Greek culture to spread in his colonies (including the Middle East), spreading Greek literature, mythology, religion, dance, language, money, medicine, art, and theatre.