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The Greatest General in History? Alexander the Great (All Parts)

Epic History・25 minutes read

Alexander the Great led a successful military campaign starting in 334 BC, defeating the Persian Empire and creating one of the largest empires in history. Despite facing challenges and revolts, Alexander's conquest continued eastward, reaching the limit of the Persian Empire and experiencing internal discontent among his troops.

Insights

  • Alexander the Great's military campaigns against the Persian Empire from 334 BC onwards resulted in the creation of one of the largest empires in history, with strategic victories at battles like Granicus and Issus, ultimately leading to his conquest of vast territories in the East and his coronation as Pharaoh in Egypt.
  • Alexander's relentless pursuit of conquest, marked by victories against King Darius III and expansion into territories like India, led to internal discontent among his troops due to the prolonged campaigns and adoption of Persian customs, culminating in revolts and mutinies during his return journey to Persia.

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Recent questions

  • Who initiated a significant military campaign against the Persian Empire?

    Alexander the Great

  • What notable battles occurred during the resistance against the Persian invasion?

    Thermopylae, Salamis, Plataea

  • Who introduced military reforms including the sarissa?

    King Philip II of Macedonia

  • What battle saw Alexander confront King Darius III?

    Battle of Issus

  • What territories did Alexander subjugate in the western regions of the Persian Empire?

    Phoenicia, Tyre, Egypt

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Summary

00:00

Alexander the Great's Conquest of Persia

  • Alexander the Great, King of Macedonia, initiated a significant military campaign against the Persian Empire in 334 BC, leading to the creation of one of the largest empires in history.
  • Ancient Greece, around 500 BC, saw remarkable developments in art, philosophy, and warfare, with Athens and Sparta being prominent city-states.
  • The Greek city-states united to resist the Persian invasion, with notable battles at Thermopylae, Salamis, and Plataea.
  • King Philip II of Macedonia introduced military reforms, including the sarissa, leading to the Battle of Chaeronea in 338 BC, where he united Greece under the League of Corinth.
  • Following Philip's assassination, his son Alexander the Great took over, securing his position as king by eliminating rivals and rebellions.
  • In 334 BC, Alexander led his army into Asia Minor, commencing a monumental military campaign.
  • Alexander's army consisted of various units, including Macedonian phalangites armed with the sarissa, Greek allies, mercenaries, and elite skirmishers and cavalry.
  • At the Battle of Granicus, Alexander faced the Persian army, utilizing strategic positioning and a swift attack to secure victory.
  • Alexander continued his conquest, facing resistance in Miletus and Halicarnassus before advancing into Lycia and Phrygia.
  • The Battle of Issus saw Alexander confront King Darius III, with a narrow battlefield limiting Darius's numerical advantage, leading to a decisive victory for Alexander.

20:59

Alexander's Victorious Conquest of the East

  • Alexander's formation became disordered in an attempt to keep up with Alexander during fierce fighting with Darius's Greek mercenaries.
  • Alexander regrouped and led the Companions in a charge at the Persian center, causing the Greek mercenaries to fall into disarray and allowing the Macedonian phalanx to advance.
  • Darius fled the battlefield in his chariot upon Alexander's approach, while Parmenion's Macedonian left wing fought fiercely against the Persian cavalry to prevent envelopment of Alexander's army.
  • The news of Darius fleeing led to the Persian troops abandoning the fight, resulting in a massacre and a stunning victory for Alexander at the Battle of Issus.
  • Alexander then subjugated the western territories of the Persian empire, with Phoenicia submitting and Tyre resisting fiercely for seven months before falling.
  • Alexander continued his conquest, taking Gaza and receiving the surrender of the Persian governor of Egypt, being crowned Pharaoh in Memphis.
  • Alexander founded Alexandria at the mouth of the Nile and was hailed as the son of Amun, king of the gods, at the desert oracle of Siwah.
  • Despite his victories, Alexander faced revolts in Greece led by King Agis of Sparta and Persian support, culminating in Agis's defeat and death.
  • Alexander rejected Darius's offer of peace and continued his conquest eastward, defeating Darius at the Battle of Gaugamela with a smaller army but superior tactics.
  • Alexander's pursuit of Bessus led to the founding of cities like Alexandria Arachosia and Alexandria-Eschate, reaching the limit of the Persian Empire and facing internal discontent among his troops due to his relentless conquests and adoption of Persian customs.

43:10

Alexander's Conquests and Tragic End

  • Callisthenes, Alexander's historian, was implicated in a conspiracy and died in prison.
  • Alexander married Roxana, a Bactrian lord's daughter, for political reasons, helping him advance into Pakistan and India.
  • Alexander subdued eastern Persian provinces, crossing the Hindu Kush mountains and winning battles in the Swat Valley.
  • Despite a costly battle against Porus, Alexander gained control of the Punjab but faced a mutiny at the River Hyphasis.
  • Alexander's return journey to Persia involved a sea voyage by Nearchus and a land march through the Gedrosian desert, marked by suffering and deaths.
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