Summary of Reign of Alexander the Great (336-323 BC)
Unravel the legendary conquests of history's greatest warrior king.
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Reign of Alexander the Great in 10 Minutes
Introduction
Alexander the Great
Olympias
Philip II of Macedon
Hephaestion
Aristotle
Alexanders Ascension to the Throne
The Conquest of Persia
The Siege of Tyre
The Battle of Gaugamela
The Conquest of Egypt
The March to India
The Death of Alexander
Alexanders Legacy
Lesson Details & Resources
In a Nutshell
- What: The reign of Alexander the Great
- When: 336-323 BC
- Who: Alexander the Great, Darius III, Philip II
- Outcome: Expansion of the Macedonian Empire across Asia, Africa, and Europe
Famous Figures in the Reign of Alexander the Great
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Alexander the Great
Alexander the Great was a king of Macedonia and one of the most successful military commanders in history.
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Aristotle
Aristotle was a philosopher and teacher of Alexander the Great, providing him with a strong foundation in education and philosophy.
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Darius III
Darius III was the last king of the Achaemenid Empire, who was defeated by Alexander the Great in the Battle of Gaugamela.
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Hephaestion
Hephaestion was a close friend and general of Alexander the Great, who played a significant role in his military campaigns.
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Olympias
Olympias was the mother of Alexander the Great, known for her strong-willed and ambitious nature.
Timeline of Reign of Alexander the Great
Alexander ascends to the throne of Macedon after the assassination of his father, King Philip II
Alexander crushes a revolt in Thebes
Alexander crosses the Hellespont and begins his campaign against the Persian Empire
Battle of Granicus - Alexander defeats the Persian forces in Asia Minor
Alexander captures the city of Sardis
Alexander conquers the city of Gordium and cuts the Gordian Knot
Battle of Issus - Alexander defeats Darius III of Persia
Alexander captures the city of Tyre after a lengthy siege
Alexander enters Egypt and founds the city of Alexandria
Battle of Gaugamela - Alexander decisively defeats Darius III
Alexander conquers Babylon and Susa
Alexander reaches the Persian capital of Persepolis
Alexander burns Persepolis to the ground
Alexander defeats Darius III for the final time at the Battle of the Persian Gate
Alexander marries Roxana, a Bactrian princess
Alexander reaches the easternmost point of his empire at the Beas River in India
Alexander's troops mutiny at the Hyphasis River and refuse to continue eastward
Alexander returns to Babylon and plans for further conquests in Arabia and the western Mediterranean
Death of Alexander the Great in Babylon
Beginning of the Wars of the Diadochi as Alexander's generals vie for control of his empire
Vocabulary List
- Hellenistic
- The period following Alexander the Great's reign, characterized by the spread of Greek culture and influence throughout the Mediterranean and Middle East.
- Diadochi
- The successors of Alexander the Great who divided his empire among themselves after his death, leading to a series of conflicts and power struggles.
- Phalanx
- A military formation used by Alexander the Great's army, consisting of heavily armed infantry arranged in close ranks with overlapping shields.
- Siege
- A military tactic used by Alexander the Great to conquer fortified cities, involving surrounding and cutting off the city to force surrender.
- Satrap
- A governor of a province in the Persian Empire, a position that Alexander the Great appointed his loyal followers to after conquering the empire.
- Bucephalus
- The name of Alexander the Great's famous horse, which he rode into battle and is said to have been untamable by anyone else.
Key Facts
This is the information used in the fact matching game
- Alexander the Great became king of Macedon in 336 BC at the age of 20 after the assassination of his father, King Philip II.
- Alexander the Great's conquests stretched from Greece to Egypt to Persia to India, creating one of the largest empires in ancient history.
- Alexander the Great established the city of Alexandria in Egypt, which became a major center of culture and learning in the ancient world.
- Alexander the Great was tutored by the philosopher Aristotle, who instilled in him a love of learning and a passion for knowledge.
- Alexander the Great's army was known as the Macedonian phalanx, a highly disciplined and effective fighting force that revolutionized military tactics.
- Alexander the Great famously cut the Gordian Knot, a symbol of his ability to solve seemingly impossible problems through bold action.
- Alexander the Great died in 323 BC in Babylon at the age of 32, possibly from a fever or poisoning.
- After Alexander the Great's death, his vast empire was divided among his generals, who became known as the Diadochi or Successors.
- One of Alexander the Great's most trusted generals was Ptolemy, who became the ruler of Egypt and founded the Ptolemaic dynasty.
- Alexander the Great's conquests led to the spread of Greek culture and language throughout the ancient world, a period known as the Hellenistic Age.
- Alexander the Great is said to have wept upon hearing that there were no more worlds left to conquer.
- Alexander the Great was known for his close relationship with his horse Bucephalus, whom he rode into battle on many occasions.
- Alexander the Great's most famous battle was the Battle of Gaugamela in 331 BC, where he defeated the Persian King Darius III.
- Alexander the Great was crowned pharaoh of Egypt in 332 BC after conquering the country and visiting the oracle at Siwa.
- Alexander the Great's empire extended over three continents and covered approximately 2 million square miles, making it one of the largest empires in history.
- Alexander the Great's military campaigns were funded in part by the wealth he acquired from looting the treasuries of conquered cities.
- Alexander the Great was known for his strategic brilliance and daring tactics on the battlefield, often leading his troops from the front.
- Alexander the Great founded more than 20 cities during his conquests, many of which became important centers of trade, culture, and learning.
- Alexander the Great's tomb is said to be located in the city of Alexandria, Egypt, although its exact whereabouts remain a mystery.
- Alexander the Great's legacy as a military genius and cultural icon has endured for centuries, inspiring countless works of art, literature, and film.
Analysis & Significance
Immediate Consequences
The immediate consequences of Alexander the Great’s reign included the expansion of his empire to encompass vast territories from Greece to Egypt and beyond. His military conquests brought about political changes and the spread of Greek culture throughout the regions he conquered.
Long-Term Impact
Alexander’s legacy had a profound impact on history, as his empire laid the foundation for the Hellenistic period, a time of cultural blending and exchange between the Greek, Persian, Egyptian, and Indian civilizations. His conquests also paved the way for the spread of Greek language, art, and ideas, influencing Western civilization for centuries to come.
Cultural Significance Today
Alexander the Great continues to be remembered as one of history’s greatest military leaders and conquerors. His legacy lives on in literature, art, and popular culture, inspiring countless stories and legends. His empire’s impact on the world can still be seen in the architecture, language, and traditions of the regions he once ruled, showcasing the enduring influence of his reign on modern society.
Reign of Alexander the Great Games
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