Alexander's Empire Book Notes

• macedonia- located just north of greece, had rough terrain and cold climate
• people lived in mountain villages
• had shrewd and fearless kings

• 23 years old in 359 B.C. Philip II became king
• brilliant general and ruthless politician
• used a strong phalanx to break through northern enemy's lines. prepared to invade greece next
• demosthenes warned the greeks of Philip II and his powerful army. urged greece to unite to fight against Philip
• 338 B.C. - Athens and Thebes joined forces to fight against him
• too late...
• macedonians defeated the Greeks at the battle of Chaeronea 
•  PHilip stabbed to death in 336 B.C. at daughter's wedding. His son Alexander tool the throne

Alexander

• 20 years old when king
• aristotle taught him science, geography, and literature
• as a young boy, learned to ride a horse, use weapons and command troops
•  destroyed Thebes, other greek city-  states feared rebellion now
• his Calvary attacked persias defense at the Granius River
• the victory alarmed Persian King Darius III
• outnumbered by persians, alexander sent out his best trooops to hit the enemy's weak spot
• victory= control over anatolia
•  ------------------------------------------------
• King Darius III tried to offer land and peace, but alexanders ambition led him to conquer the entire persian empire
• egyptians crowned alexander pharoah 332 B.c 
• founded alexadria the city
• victory at Gaugamela ended persians power
• won babylon, susa, persepolis
• cause of fire in persepolis, capitol of persia, still unknown
•  -------
• alexander more interested in expanding his empire rather than governing it 
• for 3 years his army pushed through the deserts and mountains of central asia
• darius killed by another governor, but alexander still pushed through more territory
• after defeaating indian army, morale with alexanders troops was low. they had been fighting 11 years and marched over 11,000 miles
• turned home despite alexanders desire to reach the other side of asia
• now in babylon 323 B.C. alexander wanted to unite his empire 
• died at 32 years old, never carried out plans
•  -----------------------
• antigonus became king of macedonia and greek city states
• ptolemy became pharoah of egypt
• seleucus took persian empire- now seleucid kigdom
• rulers  now governed with complete power
• due to alexanders conquests... a vibrant new culture emerged from the blend of Greek and eastern customs