Notes on Alexander the Great

Parentage

• King Phillip II
• Birth Place: Pella of Macedon
• Held hostage in Thebes
• While held hostage he learned military and diplomatic education
• Olympias
• Princess, married to King Phillip II
• He changed her name from Myrtale
• Gave birth to Alexander
• King Phillip II had another wife
• Olympias ordered the death of the other wife and the son to ensure Alexander would get the throne

Early Years

• Born in the Pella region of Macedonia
• Rarely saw his father since he had military campaign and multiple wives 
• Bucephalus
•   Alexander's father didn't want it
•  He tamed it 
• Many myths
• Alexander took the horse to all his battles
• Name means ox's head
• Education 
• Tutored by Leonidas
• Taught math, horsemanship, and archery
• Rebellious student
• new teacher: Aristotle 
• Taught drama, science, politics, and poetry
• Education ended in Meiza

Rise to Power

• Phillip II was assassinated
• by Pausanias, his body guard
•  Reasons for murder:
• Paid to kill
• Pausanias might have been Phillip II's partner and Phillip cheated
• Alexander had Pausanias crucified 
• Family's Relationship
• Tension!
• Uncle told Phillip II that Alexander wasn't suited for king; Alexander threw a cup at the Uncle and Phillip II tried to kill Alexander
• Alexander's Power
• Received power at the age of 20
• Plots to overthrow Alexander
• He had them executed
• Restored power in areas that were rebelling
• Military Career
• Fight with Persia 
• Fought because they might have been in with the murder of King Phillip II
• Battle of Granicus
• 335 B.C  crossed into Asia 
• 334 B.C fought
• Battle of Granicus River
• Alexander won the battle with good tactics 
• Siege of Halicarnassus 
• 334 B.C 
• Surrendered the fortress
• Began to siege the city
• Conquering Egypt 
• Alexander won the battle but was wounded
• Men killed, women and children were sold into slavery
• Egypt liked Alexander and named him the Pharaoh
•  Let them be just made them pay taxes

Alexander's Death

• Died on June 10, 323 B.C or June 11 323 B.C
• 32 when died
• Theories of Death
• Poisoned wine
• Malaria
• Alcohol Poisoning
• Died in Nebuchadnezzar II, Babylon
• Sarcophagus was taken to Alexander and replaced with glass so they couldn't make coins with it 
• His next plan was to conquer all of India and head back to Europe 

Ruling Style 

• When he would enter a new territory 
• If they attacked he would kill the men and sell the women and children to slavery
• Largest Empire of time
• Stayed under rule for 200-300 years after death
• Hellenization purpose: spread Greek language, culture and population 
• Many people didn't believe he died since it was so sudden
• Alexander wanted to combine cultures
• Alexander VI was born
• Macedonia collapsed after 40 years