Alexander The Great: The Invasion Of Persia

Alexander the Great was only 20 years when his father Philip of Macedon died. Even though he was a young man, he had an unusual talent for politics and military tactics. After his father’s death, Alexander moved to continue Philip’s invasion of Persia. In the ten years of his war campaigns, Alexander conquered a large portion of the then-known world. (Judge & Langdon, 2012.)

Alexander’s first major victory was at the Granicus River. In May of 334 BC, Alexander’s army met the Persians in battle and defeated them. Following this victory, Alexander continued his march into Persia, and many towns simply surrendered, including Sardis. After a siege at Halicarnassus which Alexander eventually won, he moved on to meet the Persians again at Issus in November of 333 BC, under the command of Darius III of Persia. The Persian army had an advantage in numbers over Alexander’s, more than 2 to 1; but Alexander, using his ability to anticipate his enemies’ plans and counter them, again soundly defeated the Persians. In the midst of the battle, Darius fled. The

Macedonians pursued the fleeing army, and slaughtered them. In 332 BC, Alexander and his army set out for Tyre. Tyre was an island city, and Alexander did not have a substantial navy. He eventually had a long causeway built, creating a bridge from the mainland. When his first attack with siege equipment failed, he realized he would need a navy to complete the assault. The Persian navy, returning from other battles, found their home cities had fallen under Alexander’s control; and since their loyalty was to their cities, they became Alexander’s navy. He blockaded Tyre, and had several ships fitted with battering rams. These ships began testing the wall at various points, finally creating a breach on the south end of the island. A naval bombardment on all sides followed, and the army forced their way into the city, quickly capturing it. (Wars of Alexander the Great, n.d.)

Alexander next set his sights on Egypt. Gaza was the first city assaulted. The first three attempts were unsuccessful, but the stronghold was final taken. Alexander then proceeded into Egypt. There was no love of the Persians in Egypt, and they welcomed Alexander. He began the building of the city of Alexandria, and left Egyptian overseers in charge. (Wars of Alexander the Great, n.d.)

Alexander proceeded back through Syria, Media, and Persia, fighting several battles, eventually defeating the last of the Persian forces.

Then, Alexander turned his eye toward India. The first major battle was the siege of the Sogdian Rock. This was won with the use of volunteers who climbed the cliffs under the fortress. Upon hearing this news, the defenders quickly surrendered. In the winter of 327-326 BC, Alexander led campaigns against several clans from the Indian hills, again defeating them. He then fought Porus in the battle of Hydaspes. Alexander was so impressed by Porus’ bravery in battle that he was named as satrap of his own kingdom. At this point, Alexander’s army, exhausted by the years of fighting and afraid of the facing other powerful Indian armies, refused to march any further east. Alexander instead turned south, conquering the Malli clans. Following this, Alexander marched back through

Persia.

Alexander’s march throughout Persia, Egypt, and India had many implications. One was commercial. Alexander and his successors took Persian wealth, and used it to build roads and harbor to promote trade. This allowed goods to flow freely in both directions. Mediterranean goods went east, and Asian luxuries moved westward. In India and China, Greek art works were widely popular, and Indian spices and Chinese silks were highly prized in Greece. A second was the exchange of religious beliefs. Most of the Eastern peoples had no interest in the Western religions, because they lacked much theological content, but the “mystery religions” of the East had a profound impact on the Hellenistic world. These religions addressed problems the people could relate to, such as human weakness, divine redemption, and eternal life. Several mystery cults developed, but the greatest influence the Eastern religions had was on Christianity. Many of the tenets of Christianity were inspired by those mystery religions. Finally, the spread of Alexander’s empire had a tremendous impact on politics throughout the region. Alexander spread the Greek language and military techniques into southern Asia. New cities were constructed using Greek designs, and Greeks held all the most powerful governmental positions. However, Alexander and his successors developed an appreciation for the Eastern idea of power from a central authority, such as an emperor, finding this system more convenient than the previous forms of Greek government. (Judge & Langdon, 2012.)

Even to this day, Alexander and his successors’ have had a lasting legacy. During his campaign in Egypt, Alexander founded the city of Alexandria, which became a cultural beacon in the world of his day. Ultimately, he founded approximately 20 cities that bore his name. (Alexander the Great, n.d.) Another facet of his legacy is the spread of the scientific knowledge. Many scholars benefitted from sharing this knowledge. For example, in Egypt’s Alexandria, a great library was built; and in 245 BCE, the chief librarian Eratosthenes calculated the circumference of the Earth, and was only off by .7%. He also theorized that one could reach India by sailing around Africa – 1700 years before Columbus. (Ptolemaic Kingdom, n.d.) Lastly, Alexander’s successors left a lasting impression. Ptolemy, who ruled over Egypt after Alexander’s death, founded the Library at Alexandria. This Library, as previously noted, was a great center for culture and learning; and eventually became one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The dynasty started by Ptolemy lasted until the rise of the Roman Empire. Seleucus took control of the entire eastern portion of Alexander’s empire. The Seleucid rulers continued one of Alexander’s policies – that of ethnic unity, joining together the various peoples living in this new empire. (Seleucid Empire, n.d.)

Alexander the Great’s may have had a short life, but he left behind a rich history. The descriptions of his victories in battle fascinate modern day scholars and students. The success of his campaigns increased trade and cultural exchanges between East and West. The cities he founded became hubs of commerce and culture, some even surviving into the 21th century. Much was recorded about the areas that he marched through, and the Greeks of the day were given a sense of pride in their Mediterranean heritage. Yes, there was much more the Alexander the Great than just his military conquests. (Alexander the Great, n.d.)