n in the army, which Alexander chose to purge, executing officers and generals, even a close friend who had saved his life . The discontent did not disappear though and after the crossing of the Hindu Kush Mountains into the Indian subcontinent, morale was further affected by endless marching in monsoon season, battles against war elephants and the constant stresses of fighting. Finally, Alexander yielded to the pleas of his generals and led the army south to the mouth of the Indus, from which they sailed to Persia. There, Alexander continued to incorporate Iranian and Persian forces into his army. He made plans to conquer the Arabians, but these were never carried out. Alexander died in June of 323 B.C. at the age of 32.
             The effects of these campaigns throughout Asia are evident in changes to the political, social, technological and economic fabrics of the Mediterranean cultures he touched.
             After Alexander's death, the question of a clear successor was left unanswered. When he died, Macedonian power extended from Macedon to India, with
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