Alexander's Life from 356 - 332

Question 1

356

Answer 1

Birth of Alexander (Claims Heritage from Achillies and Heracles, and possible Zeus) (Plutarch 1-)

Question 2

340

Answer 2

Alexander left behind in Pella to entertain Persian emissaries & Alexander’s taming of Bucephalus

Question 3

339

Answer 3

Alexander’s solo victory over Barbarians, and established Alexandroupolis

Question 4

338

Answer 4

Crucial Battle of Chaeronea(Alexander Participated) & Establishment of the League of Corinth that unified Greece (Exept Sparta)

Question 5

336

Answer 5

Death of Philip by Pausanias of Orestis(likely due to Alexander, Olympia, or Persian encouragement) & Alexander inherits the throne at 20 years old

Question 6

335

Answer 6

Theban Revolted against Macedonians due to unsecure throne after Philip’s death, and Persian and Athenian gold offering: Alexander handed the League of Corinth the responsibility to decide how to punish Thebes. Alexander also secures throne by killing relatives who are potential heirs/rivals (Plutarch - 9)

Question 7

334

Answer 7

Alexander starts the campaign of vengence from Pella, and visits Troy to pay tribute to heros(Achillies&Patroclus wreath laid, and Protesilaus via spear throw and first to touch land) after sacrificing to the Gods(by setting up alters to Zeus, Athena, Heracles, sacrificing animal to Poseidon, libation to Nerids. This was done to boost moral and to show that gods are on their side) and with all these acts as propaganda ploys. The risky Battle of Granicus River against Persian Satrapy and Greek Mercenaries lead by Memnon, where he charged right through enemy lines with Amyntas, being faced by Spithridates and Rhosaces, and “liberating” the Greeks in Sardis, with those who lives on the coastal regions of Asia Minor (Miletus and Ephesus) where he retained the satrapy, but appointed Macedonians instead and divert all the taxes to himself. During the siege of Miletus, he used siege towers the same height as the City wall and have archers that returned fire. When he saw the remain troops of the city escaped to an island after the city was captured, Alexander showed mercy to those mercenaries and allowed them to join due to his respect for their loyalty. Three-pronged siege of Miletus with Alexander’s interpretation of the Eagle Omen with the afterwards decision of Disbanding the Greek fleet due to his ego, knowing that he couldn’t suffer any losing battles which he knew he would if he fought at sea with the stronger Persian Fleet. Disbanding the fleet would prove to be a big mistake almost immediately when he begins siege on Halicarnassus. (Arrian Book 1 begins)

Question 8

333

Answer 8

The siege of Halicarnassus still continues due the Persians being able to freely supply the city while the Greeks without a naval force, couldn’t starve the city. Alexander sent all his married men back home to spent winter with their families(Pragmatic decision that earned him most praise and loyalty)while he goes on a trip inland to Gordium to “untie” the knot prophecized that whoever undo the knot would be the ruler of Asia. Alexander either cut the knot with his sword, or pulled the two side pins of the ox cart the knot is tied on. The knot was said to be tied by the father of Midas, the one who later gained the golden touch. The Persian kings claimed lineage from Midas to justify and legimize their rule of asia. Alexander wanted to untie the knot also due to him wanting to use this as propaganda ploy to claim his legitamacy of ruling Asia. The night of the day the he cut the knot, there was thunderstorm, signifying Zeus’ approval of him as the ruler of Asia. He then headed down to Cillia and fell ill, which delayed the battle against Darius at Issus where he won splendidly and gathered a tremendous amount of loot as Darius ran away cowardicely. Among the loots, Alexander captured Darius’s wife and children, harem, and queen mother. (Arrian Book 2 begins)

Question 9

332

Answer 9

Siege of Tyre, where he built bridging platform(mole) from the coast to the Island city of Tyre(mole took 6 months to build), making Tyre a peninsula, which it remains today. He negotiated help from Cyprus Navy and Phoenician navy, 3 pronged siege, Cypruian, Phoencian, Macedonian mole and fleet.
Siege of Gaza, the mountain top stronghold(Plutarch 25). Alexander arrives in Egypt, and “Liberates” the Egyptians from the oppressive Persian rule and became the Pharaoh of Egypt.