The people welcomed him as their deliverer, and the Persian satrap Mazaces wisely surrendered. At length, at the Amanis, he was rejoined by Nearchus and the fleet, which also had suffered losses. THE COLD WIRE IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF COLD WIRE MEDIA. In 324 B.C.E., the Macedonian king was visiting the city of Susa to see his friend, gymnosophist Calanus. From age 13 to 16 he was taught by Aristotle, who inspired him with an interest in philosophy, medicine, and scientific investigation, but he was later to advance beyond his teachers narrow precept that non-Greeks should be treated as slaves. Alexander now planned to recall Antipater and supersede him by Craterus, but he was to die before this could be done. Alexander the Great | Biography, Empire, Death, & Facts By 323 B.C., Alexander was head of an enormous empire and had recovered from the devastating loss of his friend Hephaestionwho was also reputed to be one of Alexanders homosexual male lovers. The Companion cavalry was reorganized in two sections, each containing four squadrons (now known as hipparchies); one group was commanded by Alexanders oldest friend, Hephaestion, the other by Cleitus, an older man. Once a new country was conquered, Alexander would focus on improving the city. In 336 BC, he became king of Macedonia after his father, Philip II, was assassinated. In 338 B.C., Alexander saw the opportunity to prove his military worth and led a cavalry against the Sacred Band of Thebesa supposedly unbeatable, select army made up entirely of male loversduring the Battle of Chaeronea. The League of Corinth was a confederation of Greek cities that helped maintain control of Alexander the Greats Greek domain and assisted in war planning. As a teenager, Alexander became known for his exploits on the battlefield. He began dressing like a Persian and adopted the practice of proskynesis, a Persian court custom that involved bowing down and kissing the hand of others, depending on their rank. If you have questions about licensing content on this page, please contact ngimagecollection@natgeo.com for more information and to obtain a license. How Tall Was Alexander the Great? - IMGMR Alexander wanted to press on and attempt to conquer all of India, but his war-weary soldiers refused, and his officers convinced him to return to Persia. (10 Reasons), Does Lowes Have Curbside Pickup? Livius.org. For generations, archeologists have searched endlessly for the tomb, and its mystery has served as the inspiration for countless writers. The decisive battle of the war was fought on October 31, on the plain of Gaugamela between Nineveh and Arbela. He at once executed the princes of Lyncestis, alleged to be behind Philips murder, along with all possible rivals and the whole of the faction opposed to him. He also quashed rebellions for independence in northern Greece. The vast Eurasian empire that Alexander the Great (356-323 B . in Pella, Macedonia, to King Philip II. In spring 326, crossing the Indus near Attock, Alexander entered Taxila, whose ruler, Taxiles, furnished elephants and troops in return for aid against his rival Porus, who ruled the lands between the Hydaspes (modern Jhelum) and the Acesines (modern Chenb). If Alexander was to achieve happiness, he needed to show that he could be the best king possible. He was born in 356 BC in Macedonia, a kingdom in northern Greece, and was educated by the philosopher Aristotle. Alexander was the son of Philip II and Olympias (daughter of King Neoptolemus of Epirus). Alexander struggled to capture Sogdia, a region of the Persian Empire that remained loyal to Bessus. Although Alexander the Greats life has been well recorded and preserved through history, his death has remained a mystery that historians have tried to solve for thousands of years. Parmenio was also left behind in Media to control communications; the presence of this older man had perhaps become irksome. Alexander then set out to conquer the Persian Empire, which was . National Geographic Headquarters 1145 17th Street NW Washington, DC 20036. In the meantime (winter 333332) the Persians had counterattacked by land in Asia Minorwhere they were defeated by Antigonus, the satrap of Greater Phrygiaand by sea, recapturing a number of cities and islands. King Philip summoned none other than great Greek thinker Aristotle to tutor Alexander in 343 B.C.E. Intelligence on both sides was faulty, and Alexander was already encamped by Myriandrus (near modern skenderun, Turkey) when he learned that Darius was astride his line of communications at Issus, north of Alexanders position (autumn 333). Although medical professionals are uncertain if the king drank wine constantly, he did have a history of getting pathologically intoxicated by undiluted wine. Few historical military figures have valued the culture of his wartime enemies as much as this king of Macedonia. When the Thebans refused to surrender, he made an entry and razed their city to the ground, sparing only temples and Pindars house; 6,000 were killed and all survivors sold into slavery. As the story goes, Alexander fell in love with Roxane on sight. Alexander's biographer Plutarch recalled his king claiming that the . forged was not long-lasting, but his heroic deeds were legendary. Aristotle - World History Encyclopedia In September Alexander too set out along the coast through Gedrosia (modern Baluchistan), but he was soon compelled by mountainous country to turn inland, thus failing in his project to establish food depots for the fleet. Alexander then headed south and easily took the city of Sardes. Alexander was born in 356 B.C.E.