Jump to content

Alexander the Great

From Tilcayo Cats, the lean encyclopaedia by Tilcayo Knowledge Systems
Tilcayo Cats original · British Bees · Sources and editorial assessment · Originals retention rule

Alexander the Great was a king of Macedonia who led a large army into Asia.[1] (All dates in this article are BC.) "Alexander was born on 20 July 356."[2] He died in June 323, aged 32.[3]

Early life

Alexander was the son of King Philip II of Macedonia and Philip's fourth wife, Princess Olympias, from Epirus.[2] A legend says that the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus burned down on the day he was born.[2]

As a boy he tamed the horse Bucephalus, whose name means "Ox-head". "Bucephalus (‘Ox-head’) is a good example of how as a boy Alexander was without fear and very astute."[4] He calmed the horse by turning it to face the sun.[4] One teacher trained him to fight, to ride and to cope with long marches.[4] "Lysimachus probably taught him to read and write as well as awakened in him a love for music."[5]

When Alexander turned 14, in 342, Philip hired the philosopher Aristotle as his tutor.[5] "Aristotle therefore taught Alexander in his own Academy, the Precinct of the Nymphs at Mieza."[6] "Homer was Alexander’s bible, and he took Aristotle’s edition with him to Asia."[5] All his life Alexander tried to copy his two heroes, Heracles and Achilles.[7] "Philip ordered Alexander, then 16, back to Pella, and appointed him regent in the king’s absence."[8]

King of Macedonia

"When news of Philip’s death was confirmed, the Greeks revolted from the League of Corinth."[9] "At Corinth Alexander made a point of meeting one of the most famous men of the time, the Cynic philosopher Diogenes."[10] "Alexander set out from Amphipolis in spring 335, leaving Antipater behind as his deputy in Macedonia."[11] "Alexander’s first campaign as king had been successful."[12]

Campaign in Asia

Alexander's large army took some time to cross the Hellespont into Asia.[1] He made offerings at the tombs of the heroes Achilles and Ajax, seeking the favour of the gods.[13] He won a victory at the Granicus River,[14] about 3 feet deep and 80 feet wide.[15] Later, at the Battle of Issus, the Macedonians were outnumbered,[16] but Darius escaped and gathered his forces again.[17]

Egypt and Alexandria

In Egypt, Alexander decided to found a new city.[18] "Alexandria was officially founded on 7 April 331."[19] He was only 24 at the time.[19] According to Worthington, Alexandria became the leading city of the Hellenistic period.[18] After consulting the oracle at Siwah, Alexander called himself Son of Zeus.[20]

Persia

"At night Alexander crossed to the slopes overlooking the plain of Gaugamela."[21] After his victory there he became King of Babylon.[22] "Persepolis was now Alexander’s for the taking, and he entered it on 30 January 330."[23] When Darius died, Alexander covered the body with his own cloak.[24]

India

"The Battle of the Hydaspes was a brilliant victory for Alexander."[25] He founded two new cities, one on each side of the river.[25] At the Hyphasis (Beas) river in the Punjab, things came to a head.[26] Later a harbour was built and Alexander gathered a new fleet.[27]

Death

"In early 323, the army reached Babylon."[28] Alexander caught a fever,[29] and he died on 10 or 11 June 323, aged 32 years and 8 months.[3] He left no undisputed successor.[30] "Alexander’s body was first taken to Memphis, and then to Alexandria, where it was buried."[31]

Legacy

Worthington suggests that Ptolemy may have been the first to call him "Great".[31] He also writes that Alexander opened up trade with Asia and within Asia.[32]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Worthington, Ian (2014) [2004]. Alexander the Great: Man and God. Routledge. p. 70. ISBN 978-1-4058-0162-1.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Worthington, Ian (2014) [2004]. Alexander the Great: Man and God. Routledge. p. 30. ISBN 978-1-4058-0162-1.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Worthington, Ian (2014) [2004]. Alexander the Great: Man and God. Routledge. p. 266. ISBN 978-1-4058-0162-1.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Worthington, Ian (2014) [2004]. Alexander the Great: Man and God. Routledge. p. 32. ISBN 978-1-4058-0162-1.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Worthington, Ian (2014) [2004]. Alexander the Great: Man and God. Routledge. p. 33. ISBN 978-1-4058-0162-1.
  6. ↑ Worthington, Ian (2014) [2004]. Alexander the Great: Man and God. Routledge. p. 34. ISBN 978-1-4058-0162-1.
  7. ↑ Worthington, Ian (2014) [2004]. Alexander the Great: Man and God. Routledge. p. 37. ISBN 978-1-4058-0162-1.
  8. ↑ Worthington, Ian (2014) [2004]. Alexander the Great: Man and God. Routledge. p. 35. ISBN 978-1-4058-0162-1.
  9. ↑ Worthington, Ian (2014) [2004]. Alexander the Great: Man and God. Routledge. p. 50. ISBN 978-1-4058-0162-1.
  10. ↑ Worthington, Ian (2014) [2004]. Alexander the Great: Man and God. Routledge. p. 52. ISBN 978-1-4058-0162-1.
  11. ↑ Worthington, Ian (2014) [2004]. Alexander the Great: Man and God. Routledge. p. 53. ISBN 978-1-4058-0162-1.
  12. ↑ Worthington, Ian (2014) [2004]. Alexander the Great: Man and God. Routledge. p. 56. ISBN 978-1-4058-0162-1.
  13. ↑ Worthington, Ian (2014) [2004]. Alexander the Great: Man and God. Routledge. p. 72. ISBN 978-1-4058-0162-1.
  14. ↑ Worthington, Ian (2014) [2004]. Alexander the Great: Man and God. Routledge. p. 78. ISBN 978-1-4058-0162-1.
  15. ↑ Worthington, Ian (2014) [2004]. Alexander the Great: Man and God. Routledge. p. 74. ISBN 978-1-4058-0162-1.
  16. ↑ Worthington, Ian (2014) [2004]. Alexander the Great: Man and God. Routledge. p. 95. ISBN 978-1-4058-0162-1.
  17. ↑ Worthington, Ian (2014) [2004]. Alexander the Great: Man and God. Routledge. p. 100. ISBN 978-1-4058-0162-1.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Worthington, Ian (2014) [2004]. Alexander the Great: Man and God. Routledge. p. 117. ISBN 978-1-4058-0162-1.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Worthington, Ian (2014) [2004]. Alexander the Great: Man and God. Routledge. p. 122. ISBN 978-1-4058-0162-1.
  20. ↑ Worthington, Ian (2014) [2004]. Alexander the Great: Man and God. Routledge. p. 121. ISBN 978-1-4058-0162-1.
  21. ↑ Worthington, Ian (2014) [2004]. Alexander the Great: Man and God. Routledge. p. 129. ISBN 978-1-4058-0162-1.
  22. ↑ Worthington, Ian (2014) [2004]. Alexander the Great: Man and God. Routledge. p. 137. ISBN 978-1-4058-0162-1.
  23. ↑ Worthington, Ian (2014) [2004]. Alexander the Great: Man and God. Routledge. p. 147. ISBN 978-1-4058-0162-1.
  24. ↑ Worthington, Ian (2014) [2004]. Alexander the Great: Man and God. Routledge. p. 154. ISBN 978-1-4058-0162-1.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Worthington, Ian (2014) [2004]. Alexander the Great: Man and God. Routledge. p. 209. ISBN 978-1-4058-0162-1.
  26. ↑ Worthington, Ian (2014) [2004]. Alexander the Great: Man and God. Routledge. p. 214. ISBN 978-1-4058-0162-1.
  27. ↑ Worthington, Ian (2014) [2004]. Alexander the Great: Man and God. Routledge. p. 218. ISBN 978-1-4058-0162-1.
  28. ↑ Worthington, Ian (2014) [2004]. Alexander the Great: Man and God. Routledge. p. 256. ISBN 978-1-4058-0162-1.
  29. ↑ Worthington, Ian (2014) [2004]. Alexander the Great: Man and God. Routledge. p. 267. ISBN 978-1-4058-0162-1.
  30. ↑ Worthington, Ian (2014) [2004]. Alexander the Great: Man and God. Routledge. p. 270. ISBN 978-1-4058-0162-1.
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 Worthington, Ian (2014) [2004]. Alexander the Great: Man and God. Routledge. p. 271. ISBN 978-1-4058-0162-1.
  32. ↑ Worthington, Ian (2014) [2004]. Alexander the Great: Man and God. Routledge. p. 288. ISBN 978-1-4058-0162-1.
Retrieved from "https://tilcayo.cat/w/index.php?title=Alexander_the_Great&oldid=175483"