Alexander the Great

9 Pages 2278 Words

tic tribes under his control. Abruptly after he defeated a coaliton of Illyrians who invaded Macedonia.
The Greeks growing weary under the rule of Macedonia and hearing rumors about Alexander’s death in Illyria revolted. Due to this Alexander marched his armies 380 kilometers in 14 days ordering the Thebans to surrender. When they refused he marched into their city and destroyed it sparing only temples and the poet Pindar’s house. 6,000 were killed and the survivors (30,000) were sold into slavery for 440 talents of silver. In spring of 334 BC Alexander, with an Army of 30,000 foot soldiers, and 5,000 cavalry crossed Dardanelles in his pursuit to defeat Persia. This Army is considered by many to be the most modern and advanced of it’s time. There were archers, javelin men, cavalry, but the core was made up of 9,000 infantry with shields and 5.5 meter spears called sarises. Alexander left Antipater (former King Philip’s friend and General) as his deputy of Europe with 13,000 troops. Alexander also named Parmenio as second in command. Alexander ran into his first Persian Army at the Granicus River in Ilium. The Persian Army tried to kill Alexander by tempting him to cross the Granicus but failed and were defeated when their line broke. This victory opened up most of western Asia Minor to Alexander and his rule. Alexander installed democracies in Asia Minor and expelled the tyrants. Continuing his quest to defeat the Persian’s Alexander met resistance at the city of Miletus. Alexander decide rather then to engage in a maritime battle with the Persian fleet to disband his Navy, attack by land, and occupy the coastal cities which was successful. Alexander continued to the city of Caria where he once again met resistance from the satrap (ruler, governor) Halicarnassus, and was once again victorious. Upon his victory, Ada the sister of deceased satrap Idrieus, adopted Alexander as her son and was appointed as the ne...