Alexander of Macedon - Conquest of Persia - Ancient History DOCUMENTARY
Kings and Generals・13 minutes read
Alexander the Great, a historical figure, conquered a vast empire in just over 10 years, spreading Hellenic culture and altering human history. His life story has been analyzed for over 2,000 years, evolving from a young king of Macedonia to a hero and god during his lifetime.
Insights
- Alexander the Great's conquest of a vast empire in a short time reshaped history by spreading Hellenic culture.
- Alexander's life story evolved from a young king to a hero and legend, influencing politicians and military leaders.
- Inheriting a strong army and tactics from his father, Philip II, Alexander displayed boldness and audacity in asserting his authority.
- Alexander's victory over the Thracians and Triballians showcased his military prowess, leading to their submission.
- Despite initial setbacks, Alexander's strategic maneuvers and military brilliance secured victories and alliances.
- Alexander's harsh treatment of resistors, such as the massacre at Tyre, revealed his despotic tendencies.
- The Battle of Gaugamela highlighted Alexander's strategic brilliance and leadership, securing a decisive victory over Darius III.
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Who was Alexander the Great?
A historical figure who conquered vast territories.
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Summary
00:00
Alexander the Great: Conqueror and Legend
- Alexander the Great, a historical figure, conquered a vast empire in just over 10 years, spreading Hellenic culture and altering human history.
- His life story has been analyzed for over 2,000 years, evolving from a young king of Macedonia to a hero and god during his lifetime.
- Alexander's legend grew after his death, becoming an influential figure for politicians and military leaders.
- He is recognized as a military genius but also as a complex individual with contradictory traits.
- Alexander inherited a strong army and tactics from his father, Philip II of Macedonia, upon his assassination.
- He faced opposition from Attalus and Demosthenes but managed to secure his position through strategic actions.
- The geopolitical situation after Philip's death was unstable, with anti-Macedonian sentiments in Greek states and tribal areas.
- Alexander displayed boldness and audacity in asserting his authority, swiftly gaining control over regions.
- He effectively dealt with Thracian opposition using strategic maneuvers and maintained high morale in his army.
- Alexander's victory over the Thracians and Triballians showcased his military prowess, leading to their submission and alliance.
14:40
Alexander's Westward Escape and Tactical Triumph
- Alexander, instead of heading south, turned west and sought refuge with his ally King Langarus of the Agrianians.
- Three Illyrian rulers - Cleitus, Glaucias, and an Autariantes prince - were in revolt against Alexander.
- Alexander quickly moved to attack Cleitus' stronghold at Pelium before the Illyrians could unite.
- The terrain around Pelium was challenging, with wooded hills surrounding the citadel on three sides.
- Alexander's tactical error led to his army being trapped by Glaucias and his Taulantian forces.
- To secure supplies, Alexander sent Philotas to forage, but Glaucias almost encircled him.
- Alexander swiftly intervened, saving Philotas and driving Glaucias back.
- Alexander devised a strategic maneuver using his phalanx and cavalry to break free from the encirclement.
- The Macedonian army successfully crossed the Apsus river, utilizing siege weapons as field artillery.
- Alexander then marched towards Thebes, where he faced a revolt that he ruthlessly crushed, leading to the city's destruction and enslavement of its population.
28:34
Alexander's Conquest: Persia, Battles, and Debt
- Demades persuaded Alexander to forgive Thebes, but this did not improve his relationship with other Greeks.
- Alexander gathered Macedonian magnates to plan the invasion of Persia, despite advisors suggesting he marry and have an heir.
- Alexander inherited a large debt from his predecessor, Philp, and borrowed money from companions to finance his campaign.
- Alexander's army in 334BC consisted of 35,000 to 45,000 troops, including phalangites, hypaspists, mercenaries, and allied soldiers.
- The infantry force included Thracians, archers, and Agrianians, known for their stealth and discipline.
- The cavalry force was led by the Companion cavalry, stationed on the right flank, and supported by Thessalians and light cavalry.
- Alexander crossed the Hellespont, claimed Asia as spear-won land, and visited Troy before uniting with his army near Arisbe.
- The Persian satraps, advised by Memnon, considered a scorched earth policy but ultimately chose to fight Alexander.
- The Persian army, led by Arsames, Memnon, and Arsites, faced Alexander's forces at the River Granicus.
- Alexander's army, led by phalanx brigades, faced a larger Persian cavalry force and Greek mercenary hoplites in the battle.
42:35
Alexander's Cavalry Charge Secures Victory in Asia
- Nicanor’s 3,000 hypaspists were to the right of the phalanx, followed by Philotas and Alexander leading 1,800 companion cavalry, skirmishers, agrianians, and archers.
- Parmenion commanded 2,700 Thessalian, Thracian, and league cavalry on the left.
- Parmenion advised Alexander to delay the battle until morning to potentially force the Persians to withdraw.
- Alexander, driven by a desire for heroic deeds, disregarded Parmenion’s advice and prepared for an immediate attack.
- Alexander led a charge with 2,000 companion cavalry in a wedge formation, targeting the exposed Persian left wing in the riverbed.
- The companions' discipline and armament, particularly the cornel wood xyston lance, turned the tide in favor of the Macedonians.
- Alexander faced near-death encounters with Persian leaders but was saved by Cleitus the Black.
- The Macedonians, aided by Agrianian skirmishers, broke through the Achaemenid left, causing panic in the satrapal army.
- Alexander showed no mercy to Greek mercenaries, leading to thousands being slaughtered or captured.
- Casualty figures indicated significant losses for the Greeks, with Alexander's forces suffering far fewer casualties, leading to the opening of Asia Minor for conquest.
56:42
Alexander's Siege of Miletus and Halicarnassus
- Alexander decided to keep his fleet on the defensive at Lade and prepared his siege weaponry and infantry to breach city fortifications.
- A messenger from the mercenary garrison offered Miletus as an open city if the siege was lifted, but Alexander refused, deeming the city too vital for his supply line.
- Macedonian ballistae and catapults attacked the fortifications, creating breaches, while infantry stood ready to exploit any gaps.
- The initial Macedonian attack was thwarted by the garrison's strength and missile fire, but Nicanor blocked Persian fleet assistance.
- Alexander's army eventually broke through Miletus' walls, sparing Greek civilians but enslaving foreigners.
- Alexander disbanded his fleet after conquering Miletus, focusing on a land campaign due to distrust of Greek crews and inability to match Darius' naval strength.
- Alexander planned to capture coastal cities to counter Persian naval power, starting with Halicarnassus.
- Alexander allied with Princess Ada of Caria, aiming to regain her position and secure local support.
- Alexander faced resistance at Halicarnassus, with Memnon's forces impeding the Macedonian siege efforts.
- A daring attack by Ephialtes and Persian reserves nearly broke Alexander's siege, but his veteran battalion turned the tide, averting defeat.
01:11:11
Alexander's Conquest: Battles, Betrayal, and Triumph
- Ephialtes’ men smashed into the spent ranks, rallying the Greek army and leading to the death of Ephialtes and his soldiers.
- The sudden attack caused panic among the Halicarnassians, resulting in a rout and the closing of gates, trapping some forces outside.
- Over 1,000 of Memnon’s troops were slain in the failed action, prompting Alexander to cautiously retreat to camp.
- Memnon and Orontobates decided to cede part of the city, relocating soldiers to citadels and navy, setting fire to prevent Alexander's gains.
- Alexander entered the burning city, rescuing inhabitants and fortifying areas, leaving some troops behind to handle resistance in Caria.
- Alexander divided his army, with Parmenion securing inland territories while Alexander subdued towns along the coast.
- Alexander faced resistance from Pisidian brigands before reaching Celaenae, accepting the defenders' surrender terms.
- Antigonus the One-Eyed was appointed to handle Celaenae, as Alexander moved to Gordium, untying the Gordian knot.
- Memnon's strategy of scorched earth and a second front was disrupted by his sudden death, leading to the collapse of the plan.
- Darius III gathered advisors in Susa, deciding to confront Alexander, while Charidemus' opposition led to his execution. Alexander fell ill but recovered after a warning from Parmenion about a potential poisoning plot.
01:25:22
Battle of the Granicus: Alexander's Triumph and Transformation
- Darius arrayed his cavalry across the Pinarus, including Medes, Hyrcanians, Paphlagonians, Cappadocians, Cilicians, Bactrians, Sogdians, and steppe nomads.
- Alexander divided his main battle-line into six brigades, led by Amyntas, Ptolemy, Meleager, Craterus, Perdiccas, and Coenus.
- Alexander's army included Cretan archers, Thracian javelinmen, elite hypaspists, companion cavalry, Paeonian light horse, Agrianians, and archers, totaling about 40,000 soldiers.
- Alexander adjusted his plan to reinforce Parmenion's left flank against overwhelming Achaemenid cavalry and secured the hills occupied by Persians.
- Alexander initiated a slow advance across his line, goading Darius to attack first, but Darius kept his line solidly behind the Pinarus.
- Alexander led a devastating charge across the Pinarus, smashing through Achaemenid archers and infantry, collapsing Darius' left wing.
- Parmenion's Thessalian cavalry was beleaguered and outnumbered, while the Macedonian phalanx faced challenges due to a gap in the line and rough terrain.
- Alexander relieved pressure on the phalanx by charging the Persian center, causing the Persians to flee as Darius abandoned the battlefield.
- Alexander pursued Darius but returned empty-handed, while his army looted the Persian camp, capturing vast riches and royal women.
- Alexander's treatment of the royal women and reaction to the luxurious Persian camp foreshadowed his future as a near-despotic ruler, despite his initial magnanimity.
01:39:28
Alexander's Siege of Tyre: Naval Warfare & Persistence
- Alexander's proposal during a war council was rejected, leading to his arrogant response demanding to be addressed as the King of all Asia.
- Alexander continued his march south, accepting the surrender of Phoenician cities and kings of Cyprus.
- Approaching Tyre, Alexander was met by Tyrian dignitaries who offered alliance, provisions, and gifts but refused to hand over the city.
- Alexander's request to offer sacrifice at Tyrian great temple was declined, leading to tensions and threats exchanged.
- Despite counsel to submit, Tyre decided to fight, buoyed by their island fortress and support from Carthaginians.
- Alexander began constructing a 200-foot-wide mole from the mainland to Tyre to make the island part of the mainland.
- Tyrians launched naval attacks on the mole, causing casualties and hindering construction.
- Tyrians used a fire ship to damage the mole severely, burning down towers and killing many of Alexander's troops.
- Alexander rebuilt the mole wider with towers and artillery, sought a fleet, and gained naval support from Phoenician rulers and others.
- With a reinforced fleet, Alexander blockaded Tyre's harbors, neutralizing their sea dominance, and resumed construction on the mole despite setbacks from a storm.
01:54:01
Siege of Tyre: Alexander's Brutal Conquest
- Thirty Carthaginian emissaries arrived with words of encouragement but informed their city that aid was impossible due to war at home.
- Alexander cleared stones from the water to allow his ships to approach the walls of Tyre.
- The mole connecting the Phoenician coast to Tyre was finally completed, enabling a full-scale attack.
- Macedonians launched an assault on Tyre via land and sea, using catapults and archery to breach the walls.
- Tyrians fiercely defended using metal pots filled with heated sand and gravel to burn attackers.
- After a long struggle, Alexander considered abandoning the siege but persisted due to the high cost of giving up.
- Tyrian ships launched a naval sortie but were defeated by Alexander, who then focused on breaching the city walls.
- Alexander's army breached the walls, leading to fierce fighting and the eventual capture of Tyre.
- Macedonian soldiers conducted a brutal rampage in Tyre, massacring thousands and crucifying 2,000.
- Tyre was destroyed, and its population sold into slavery, marking Alexander's harsh treatment of resistors.
02:08:17
Alexander's Conquest: Egypt and Divine Approval
- Alexander demanded Batis' surrender, but when Batis refused, he was tied behind a chariot and dragged around the city until his death.
- No other source mentions Batis' fate, suggesting it may be a rumor associated with Alexander, known for his questionable actions.
- Alexander swiftly crossed into Egypt, reaching Pelusium in just a week, where he was welcomed as a liberator by the Egyptians.
- The Achaemenid governor Mazaces welcomed Alexander, granting him access to Egypt and its treasuries.
- Alexander sailed up the Nile to Memphis, offering sacrifices and being honored with titles like King of Upper and Lower Egypt.
- Alexander ordered the construction of a new city opposite Pharos island, which would become Alexandria, the ancient world's capital.
- Alexander embarked on a journey to visit the oracle of Zeus-Ammon in Siwah, 300 miles west, seeking divine backing for his campaign against Persia.
- Alexander's visit to the oracle is debated, with different accounts suggesting he was welcomed as the son of Zeus-Ammon and would rule the earth.
- Alexander returned to Alexandria after rewarding the Siwah shrine, preparing to resume the campaign against Darius III.
- Alexander implemented administrative reforms in Egypt, separating governance into civil and military branches, earning favor with the locals.
02:22:24
Battle of Gaugamela: Alexander vs Darius
- Alexander successfully forded the river with his army, resting before continuing towards Darius' army.
- Darius prepared the battlefield at Gaugamela, focusing on flattening hills and clearing obstacles.
- Alexander learned of Darius' army's proximity and their intentions to stay at Gaugamela.
- Darius attempted to turn Greek soldiers against Alexander with promises of gold, intercepted letters revealed this.
- Darius made a generous peace offer to Alexander, including money, territories, and marriage proposals.
- Alexander's ambition surpassed accepting Darius' offer, aiming for the entirety of the Persian Empire.
- Alexander scouted the battlefield terrain and analyzed Persian units' potential damage and tactics.
- Alexander refused a night attack, opting for open battle due to the risk and tactical advantage.
- Alexander's army rested while Darius' troops were exhausted and demoralized, waiting in battle order.
- The Battle of Gaugamela commenced with Alexander's strategic positioning and maneuvering against Darius' army.
02:35:50
Alexander's Triumph: Gaugamela and Beyond
- A messenger from Parmenion informed Alexander that his half of the army was in dire straits during the battle against Mazaeus’ forces.
- Alexander's left battalions of the phalanx got bogged down in fighting, creating a gap in his line that Persian and Indian cavalry exploited.
- Alexander chose to save Parmenion over capturing Darius, rallying the Companions to smash into the Persian right flank.
- Ancient sources suggest Alexander lost around 1,000 troops while the Persians lost 30,000 at Gaugamela.
- Alexander's victory at Gaugamela was attributed to his strategic brilliance and personal leadership.
- After Gaugamela, Alexander moved east into the Persian Empire to capture Darius.
- Alexander arrived in Babylon around October 23rd, 331BC, where he rested his army and reinforced it with troops from Greece, Macedonia, and Thrace.
- Alexander appointed satraps, including the Persian satrap of Babylon, Mazaeus, who surrendered the city without a fight.
- Alexander's attempt to blend Eastern and Hellenic cultures in Babylon raised concerns among his companions.
- Alexander marched to Susa, securing its surrender and finding a significant amount of gold and silver.
02:49:28
Alexander's Deceptive Tactics and Conquest of Persepolis
- Alexander's army lit extra fires at night to deceive the enemy into thinking the entire army was present.
- Departing in mid-winter, Alexander faced challenging terrain on his journey.
- Alexander reached a split in the mountain path, sending Philotas with 3,000 men on one route and leading the rest around the Persian camp.
- After a grueling march, Alexander's forces positioned themselves and attacked the Persian camp.
- Despite a brave fight, Ariobarzanes managed to escape, while the rest of the Persian force was annihilated.
- Alexander's victory allowed him to open the route to Persepolis.
- Alexander encountered a group of mutilated Greeks on the road, whom he rewarded generously.
- Upon entering Persepolis, Alexander claimed the Persian treasury and allowed looting of the city.
- Alexander's decision to burn the palaces of Persepolis was met with disapproval by historians.
- Darius III was captured and killed by Bessus, leading to Alexander's pursuit and eventual discovery of Darius' body.
03:03:48
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