The Rise of Macedonia Ancient Macedonia Border territory

The Rise of Macedonia

Ancient Macedonia Border territory between civilized Greece and still uncivilized people farther to the North

M a c e d o n i a n Still ruled by kings and warrior nobles Larger and richer in resources than any city-state The kings had always admired the Greeks and longed to associate themselves with them Before Alexander C u l t u r e

King Philip the II • 359 BCE - Comes into power • Worked to prevent city-states from joining forces against him • 338 BCE - Used both diplomacy and military pressure to charge into northern and central Greece • Treated the Greek cities considerately and let them manage their own affairs mostly

Conquest of Greece • It was easy because “more than one Greek city felt ambivalent about fighting back. ” (Bauer, p. 579) • Some Greek cities invited Philip to invade • Athens asked Sparta for help against invasion,

Assassination • Killed by Pausanias , one of his seven bodyguards. • Possible reasons why…

Alexande r becomes king • 336 BCE – Alexander is 20 years old • Calls for Greek troops but is ignored by Greek polis • Massacres the polis Thebes in 335 B. C. to send a message • His army swells with Greek troops who fear him

Alexander’s military of about 35, 000 Macedonians invades Persia and at They An 110, 000 defeat Army Of Battle of The Granicus 334 B. C.

The “Perfect General” • Alexander Never lost a goes battle on to • Personally fought in battles conquer the areas of present day Afghanistan and Pakistan and ventures into India (though faces great difficulties conquering there)

Alexander Inspired Confidence The “Perfect Greek“ • Handsome • Well educated (by Aristotle) • Respectful of Greek past (memorized the Illiad and carried it with him)

Alexander Inspired Confidence The “Perfect Greek“ • Adept in rhetoric and diplomacy (ambassador) • Athletic (competing throughout his life) • Scientist (strong interest in plants, animals, geography, and even took scientists on his campaigns)

Alexander Inspired Confidence Honored the dead • Strongly religious burials • Exempted their families from further military duty and from taxes Broke up regional regiments to have loyalty directly to him

Alexander Inspired Confidence The “Perfect Conqueror” • Spared families of conquered kings This won the cooperation of the families. • Treated conquered soldiers with respect This convinced some conquered soldiers to switch sides and support him.

Alexander Inspired Confidence The “Perfect Conqueror” • Respected local religions and customs Alexander in Egypt

Alexander Inspired Confidence The “Perfect Strategy” • Realized that the Persian navy could land troops behind him Followed a coastal route that allowed him to control all ports behind him When in battles, waited for the perfect moment to commit his elite troops Alexander’s Initial Path

Alexander’s Campaign Troy: Achilles tomb, Pella: May 334 BC Sacred shield from Cut the Gordian Temple of Athena 42, 000 soldiers Granicus: 25, 000 knot (rule Asia) Bactra: Bessus, Darius’ Persians. Issus: (only 100, 000 110 successor, is captured – 600, 000 Persians Greeks lost) (Darius flees leaving wife and killed. Tyre: 7 -month siege Half-mile causeway Killed 8, 000 Sold 30, 000 as slaves Founded Alexandria • 40, 000 men mother behind) • 20, 000 miles 10, 000 marry • 11 years. Babylon: June 323 BC, Alexander dies (malaria? ) • Never lost a battle Gaugamela: 90, 000 Persians Hydaspes: Indian king Porus Siwa: Oracle declared him Lunar eclipse & meteor showers frighten Persians to be Son of Ammon (i. e. , Persepolis: Persian “Liberated” Persian. Darius flees Zeus) Torturous return journey capital destroyed occupied Egypt Thousands die Proclaimed a pharaoh 16

Alexander I would rather live a short life of glory than a long one of obscurity. —Alexander the Great Sarcophagus dating from the 4 th Century BC

Alexander Discussion • Are great leaders great because they are personally good leaders or because the situation makes them great? • Does a great leader need to be creative? • What is the role of preparation in creativity?