Alexander the Great
Alexander the Great was not always known by this title. He earned his well-fitting designation after remarkable demonstrations of his military genius, political shrewdness, and cultural visions. His achievements in government and conquest transformed him into a legendary figure and worldwide influence in subsequent ages. He unified and Hellenized most of the ancient civilized world, creating a mighty empire that he had envisioned for most of his life, since the commencement of his conquests. Alexander was born in 356 B.C. Philip, who was the brother of King Perdiccas III of Macedonia, in northern Greece, fathered him. Alexander's mother was Philip's wife, Olympias, daughter of King Neoptolemus I of Epirus, in modern Albania. Alexander had a younger sister, named Cleopatra, not to be confused with the famous Egyptian queen. Alexander's parents, unfortunately enough for him, loathed each other. In keeping with the tradition of Macedonians, Philip had numerous lesser wives and children--all whom Olympias regarded with contempt and animosity. When one of these lesser wives gave birth to a mentally retarded son, Philip Arrideaeus, rumors told that Olympias had caused
Nevertheless, his example of continental empire contributed to the eventual rise of the Roman Empire, and the expansion of Christianity. One thesis states that he underwent an alcohol-induced character metamorphosis late in his life, and "even as he performed one epic deed after another, this superb warrior began to exhibit a disturbing personal transformation. Soon, however, hr determined to become King of Persia. Heavy fighting and unfavorable conditions inflicted great losses upon his forces. He spent the year 335 subduing restive people to the north and west of Macedonia, and crushing an Athenian-endorsed uprising at Thebes. His charismatic personality and vision combined all these elements into the final one-firm, dynamic, political rule. Once Alexander the Great passed from the scene, however, the system could not be continued. By the time he finally reached Susa, the administrative capital of the Persian Empire, in 324, Alexander the Great had indeed established a sprawling and formidable empire. His brilliant military campaigns thus began. His fabulous engineers thus built a fleet of more than seven hundred vessels to accompany the army downriver to the Indus, then to the Indian Ocean, and west again to Persia. Now mistrusting the Athenians, Alexander the Great declined to employ their fleet against Persia. As a result of one binge at Babylon in 323, he became ill and died ten days later; Alexander the Great was thirty-three years old.
Common topics in this essay:
Macedonia Philip,
Macedonians Alexander,
Macedonians Greeks,
Macedonians Persians,
Conqueror Alexander,
European Asian,
Persian Empire,
Alexander Philip,
Eastern Mediterranean,
League Corinth,
lesser wives,
king perdiccas,
asia minor,
persian empire,
persian army,
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Acceptance Essays
