Alexander replied that since he was now king of Asia, it was he alone who decided territorial divisions. Alexander left no clear successor, though he had a son, Heracles, and another child on the way by his Bactrian wife . Brauer, G. (1967). [216] However, Ogden calculates that Alexander, who impregnated his partners thrice in eight years, had a higher matrimonial record than his father at the same age. [148] In the second account, Diodorus recounts that Alexander was struck with pain after downing a large bowl of unmixed wine in honour of Heracles followed by 11 days of weakness; he did not develop a fever, instead dying after some agony. [89] During his stay a fire broke out in the eastern palace of Xerxes I and spread to the rest of the city. His father Philip was probably Alexander's most immediate and influential role model, as the young Alexander watched him campaign practically every year, winning victory after victory while ignoring severe wounds. [141], Historical sources frequently give conflicting accounts of Alexander's appearance, and the earliest sources are the most scant in their detail. [91] Curtius claims that Alexander did not regret his decision until the next morning. Alexander's settlement of Greek colonists and the resulting spread of Greek culture led to the overwhelming dominance of Hellenistic civilization and influence as far east as the Indian subcontinent. None of Alexander's contemporaries, however, are known to have explicitly described Alexander's relationship with Hephaestion as sexual, though the pair was often compared to Achilles and Patroclus, whom classical Greek culture painted as a couple. The Vergina Sun symbol was the subject in a controversy in the first half of 1990s between Greece and the newly independent Republic of Macedonia (now North Macedonia), which adopted it as a symbol of Macedonian nationalism and depicted it on its national flag. According to local customs, the setting sun was considered a symbol of ruin. The elephant had gold rings around its tusks and an inscription was on them written in Greek: "Alexander the son of Zeus dedicates Ajax to the Helios" ( ). [102] As early as 334 BC he demonstrated awareness of this, when he challenged incumbent King Darius III "by appropriating the main elements of the Achaemenid monarchy's ideology, particularly the theme of the king who protects the lands and the peasants". At first, the cities must have been inhospitable, little more than defensive garrisons. He is described as having one eye light and one eye dark. [45], In summer 336BC, while at Aegae attending the wedding of his daughter Cleopatra to Olympias's brother, Alexander I of Epirus, Philip was assassinated by the captain of his bodyguards, Pausanias. [305] In Egypt, Alexander was portrayed as the son of Nectanebo II, the last pharaoh before the Persian conquest. [111] There was also considerable friction between Antipater and Olympias, and each complained to Alexander about the other. The Athenians, led by Demosthenes, voted to seek alliance with Thebes against Macedonia. [39], At the wedding of Cleopatra, whom Philip fell in love with and married, she being much too young for him, her uncle Attalus in his drink desired the Macedonians would implore the gods to give them a lawful successor to the kingdom by his niece. The horns of Ammon were curling ram horns, used as a symbol of the Egyptian deity Ammon (also spelled Amun or Amon). [22], During his youth, Alexander was also acquainted with Persian exiles at the Macedonian court, who received the protection of Philip II for several years as they opposed Artaxerxes III. The Smyrnaeans sent ambassadors to the oracle at Clarus to ask about this, and after the response from the oracle they decided to move to the "new" city. As in Tyre, men of military age were put to the sword and the women and children were sold into slavery. Alexander became legendary as a classical hero in the mould of Achilles, featuring prominently in the historical and mythical traditions of both Greek and non-Greek cultures. During his stay in Egypt, he founded Alexandria, which would become the prosperous capital of the Ptolemaic Kingdom after his death. [120] Ambhi hastened to relieve Alexander of his apprehension and met him with valuable presents, placing himself and all his forces at his disposal. (721) 404.30 NOK. [167][169] His successor, Ptolemy II Philadelphus, transferred the sarcophagus to Alexandria, where it remained until at least late Antiquity. [303], In pre-Islamic Middle Persian (Zoroastrian) literature, Alexander is referred to by the epithet gujastak, meaning "accursed", and is accused of destroying temples and burning the sacred texts of Zoroastrianism. [71] He offered a peace treaty that included the lands he had already lost, and a ransom of 10,000 talents for his family. Justin stated that Alexander was the victim of a poisoning conspiracy, Plutarch dismissed it as a fabrication,[151] while both Diodorus and Arrian noted that they mentioned it only for the sake of completeness. [304] In Islamic Persia, under the influence of the Alexander Romance (in Persian: Iskandarnamah), a more positive portrayal of Alexander emerges. The Hellenistic period developed through the Roman Empire into modern Western culture; the Greek language became the lingua franca of the region and was the predominant language of the Byzantine Empire up until its collapse in the mid-15th century AD. [205][206][207], Many scholars and historians attribute heterochromia to him. [113] Alexander sent back vast sums from his conquest, which stimulated the economy and increased trade across his empire. Details from the Alexander Sarcophagus show that he had a fair complexion with ruddy cheeks. [159] Veratrum album poisoning can have a prolonged course and it was suggested that if Alexander was poisoned, Veratrum album offers the most plausible cause. Following his conquest of Asia Minor, Alexander broke the power of Achaemenid Persia in a series of decisive battles, including those at Issus and Gaugamela; he subsequently overthrew Darius III and conquered the Achaemenid Empire in its entirety. Curtius Rufus, a Roman historian from the first century AD, who wrote the Histories of Alexander the Great, gives this account of Alexander sitting on the throne of Darius III: Then Alexander seating himself on the royal throne, which was far too high for his bodily stature. Macedonian Star of Alexander the Great Royal Symbol - Museumize [284] Julius Caesar dedicated a Lysippean equestrian bronze statue but replaced Alexander's head with his own, while Octavian visited Alexander's tomb in Alexandria and temporarily changed his seal from a sphinx to Alexander's profile. However, the memorial was found to be dedicated to the dearest friend of Alexander the Great, Hephaestion. Miletus, held by Achaemenid forces, required a delicate siege operation, with Persian naval forces nearby. [67] In the following year, 332BC, he was forced to attack Tyre, which he captured after a long and difficult siege. Julius Caesar, Cleopatra and Augustus, among others, are noted as having . He was the king of his native Macedonia, ruler of the Greeks, the king of Persia and even an Egyptian pharaoh. [273] Koine spread throughout the Hellenistic world, becoming the lingua franca of Hellenistic lands and eventually the ancestor of modern Greek. When Alexander was ten years old, a trader from Thessaly brought Philip a horse, which he offered to sell for thirteen talents. [103], In 329 BC, Spitamenes, who held an undefined position in the satrapy of Sogdiana, betrayed Bessus to Ptolemy, one of Alexander's trusted companions, and Bessus was executed. Men's Coin Sterling Silver Ring, Star of Vergina Symbol of Alexander the Great Handmade Greek Signet Ring, Greek Jewelry, Men's Jewelry. Alexander the Great was born in the Greek month of Hekatombaion. Marching west into Illyria, Alexander defeated each in turn, forcing the two rulers to flee with their troops. [80] Henceforth, Alexander often referred to Zeus-Ammon as his true father, and after his death, currency depicted him adorned with the Horns of Ammon as a symbol of his divinity. [258] This process can be seen in such great Hellenistic cities as Alexandria, Antioch[269] and Seleucia (south of modern Baghdad). Due to the demand of his homesick troops, he eventually turned back at the Beas River and later died in 323 BC in Babylon, the city of Mesopotamia that he had planned to establish as his empire's capital. Philip II had waged war against the Thracians to the north, which left Alexander in charge as regent and heir apparent. [134], Alexander sent much of his army to Carmania (modern southern Iran) with general Craterus, and commissioned a fleet to explore the Persian Gulf shore under his admiral Nearchus, while he led the rest back to Persia through the more difficult southern route along the Gedrosian Desert and Makran. [36][37], When Philip returned to Pella, he fell in love with and married Cleopatra Eurydice in 338 BC,[38] the niece of his general Attalus. He then continued south towards the Peloponnese. Alexander has figured in both high and popular culture beginning in his own era to the present day. His son and successor, Caracalla, a great admirer, visited the tomb during his own reign. Why was Alexander the Great called "the Great"? After a long pause due to an illness, he marched on towards Syria. [283] The Corinthian order is also heavily represented in the art of Gandhara, especially through Indo-Corinthian capitals. ", "Was Alexander The Great Poisoned By Toxic Wine? [302], Alexander features prominently in modern Greek folklore, more so than any other ancient figure. [175][176] However, more recently, it has been suggested that it may date from earlier than Abdalonymus's death. Many of these students would become his friends and future generals, and are often known as the "Companions". p. 75. [191] This was due to use of terrain, phalanx and cavalry tactics, bold strategy, and the fierce loyalty of his troops. [124] Alexander was impressed by Porus's bravery, and made him an ally. [42] Philip exiled four of Alexander's friends, Harpalus, Nearchus, Ptolemy and Erigyius, and had the Corinthians bring Thessalus to him in chains. [181] According to Diodorus, Alexander's companions asked him on his deathbed to whom he bequeathed his kingdom; his laconic reply was "ti kratisti""to the strongest". Alexander the Great Symbol - Etsy Norway The so-called "Alexander Sarcophagus", discovered near Sidon and now in the Istanbul Archaeology Museum, is so named not because it was thought to have contained Alexander's remains, but because its bas-reliefs depict Alexander and his companions fighting the Persians and hunting. [104] However, when, at some point later, Alexander was on the Jaxartes dealing with an incursion by a horse nomad army, Spitamenes raised Sogdiana in revolt. Greek-speaking communities in central Anatolia and in far-eastern Anatolia survived until the Greek genocide and GreekTurkish population exchanges of the early 20th century AD. "[300], In the first centuries after Alexander's death, probably in Alexandria, a quantity of the legendary material coalesced into a text known as the Alexander Romance, later falsely ascribed to Callisthenes and therefore known as Pseudo-Callisthenes. [313] In medieval Europe, Alexander the Great was revered as a member of the Nine Worthies, a group of heroes whose lives were believed to encapsulate all the ideal qualities of chivalry. [84] Darius fled over the mountains to Ecbatana (modern Hamadan) while Alexander captured Babylon. According to the legend, after Alexander hunted on the Mount Pagus, he slept under a plane tree at the sanctuary of Nemesis. Later in his childhood, Alexander was tutored by the strict Leonidas, a relative of his mother, and by Lysimachus of Acarnania. [96] The Persian king no longer controlled his own destiny, and was taken prisoner by Bessus, his Bactrian satrap and kinsman. Alexander is a male given name.The most prominent bearer of the name is Alexander the Great, the king of the Ancient Greek kingdom of Macedonia who created one of the largest empires in ancient history.. Variants listed here are Aleksandar, Aleksander and Aleksandr.Related names and diminutives include Iskandar, Alec, Alek, Alex, Alexandre, Aleks, Aleksa and Sander; feminine forms include . [88] Alexander stayed in Persepolis for five months. This campaign, initially against Bessus, turned into a grand tour of central Asia. Alexander III 'the Great'. [102] Against Bessus (Artaxerxes V) however, Briant adds, Alexander reasserted "his claim to legitimacy as the avenger of Darius III". [108], Later, in the Central Asian campaign, a second plot against his life was revealed, this one instigated by his own royal pages. The song 'Alexander the Great' by the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden is indicative. [144][216][243] Hephaestion's death devastated Alexander. [287], The Itinerarium Alexandri is a 4th-century Latin Itinerarium which describes Alexander the Great's campaigns. [68] At the ancient Phrygian capital of Gordium, Alexander "undid" the hitherto unsolvable Gordian Knot, a feat said to await the future "king of Asia". "[263] This inscription is one of the few independent archaeological discoveries confirming an episode from Alexander's life. The successor states that emerged were, at least initially, dominant forces, and these 300years are often referred to as the Hellenistic period. 74. [223] Nevertheless, Plutarch described how Alexander was infatuated by Roxana while complimenting him on not forcing himself on her. [200] Despite those caveats, Lysippos's sculpture, famous for its naturalism, as opposed to a stiffer, more static pose, is thought to be the most faithful depiction.[201]. Alexander then marched for three days to the Danube, encountering the Getae tribe on the opposite shore. [b] After the fall of Persia, the Macedonian Empire held a vast swath of territory between the Adriatic Sea and the Indus River. The campaign took Alexander through Media, Parthia, Aria (West Afghanistan), Drangiana, Arachosia (South and Central Afghanistan), Bactria (North and Central Afghanistan), and Scythia. [40] During the wedding banquet, a drunken Attalus publicly prayed to the gods that the union would produce a legitimate heir. [13] During Philip's absence, the Thracian tribe of Maedi revolted against Macedonia. Aristotle taught Alexander and his companions about medicine, philosophy, morals, religion, logic, and art. [91][92][93] Plutarch claims that he ordered his men to put out the fires,[91] but that the flames had already spread to most of the city. Etsy Search for items or shops Close search Skip to Content Sign in UK Locale Picker United Kingdom 0 Basket Back to School Jewellery & Accessories At which Alexander reproachfully insulted over him: "See there," said he, "the man who makes preparations to pass out of Europe into Asia, overturned in passing from one seat to another. [311], In Hindi and Urdu, the name "Sikandar", derived from the Persian name for Alexander, denotes a rising young talent, and the Delhi Sultanate ruler Aladdin Khalji stylized himself as "Sikandar-i-Sani" (the Second Alexander the Great). From Pamphylia onwards the coast held no major ports and Alexander moved inland. [305], According to Josephus, Alexander was shown the Book of Daniel when he entered Jerusalem, which described a mighty Greek king who would conquer the Persian Empire. [3][4], Until the age of 16, Alexander was tutored by Aristotle. Taking advantage of this power vacuum, Chandragupta Maurya (referred to in Greek sources as "Sandrokottos"), of relatively humble origin, took control of the Punjab, and with that power base proceeded to conquer the Nanda Empire. [152][154] There was even a suggestion that Aristotle may have participated. It takes a visionary mindset to make the greatest army of the world to follow you for ten years to the end of the world. Instead of untangling it laboriously as expected, he . [295] This act was in defiance of a prediction by Tiberius's soothsayer Thrasyllus of Mendes that Caligula had "no more chance of becoming emperor than of riding a horse across the Bay of Baiae".
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