World History Chp. 5, sec. 4 notes

Philip Builds Macedonian Power Macedonia located north of Greece. Rough terrain and cold climate. Thought of themselves as Greeks. Greeks thought Macedonians were uncivilized. Philip becomes King of Macedonia in 359 B.C. and transforms army in skilled fighters. Philip used the phalanx and cavalry to defeat northern opponents and eventually Greece. Demosthenes warned of Macedonian aggression but Greek City-states could not agree on policy. Athens and Thebes faced Macedonians at the Battle of Chaeronea. The Macedonian victory ended Greek independence. Philip next planned to invade Persia. Philip was assassinated in 336 B.C. / Alexander age 20 becomes king.

Alexander Defeats Persia Alexander crosses the Hellespont in 334 B.C. Alexander defeats Persian army at Granicus River. Darius III raises army and vows to crush Alexander. Alexander defeats Persians at Issus. Darius flees. Darius offers Alexander all Persian land west of the Euphrates River. Alexander rejects offer. Alexander marched into Egypt in 332 B.C./ seen as liberator and proclaimed Pharaoh. While in Egypt Alexander founds Alexandria at the mouth of the Nile. Alexander moves into Mesopotamia and encounters Darius and massive Persian army. Persia’s power is destroyed with Alexander’s victory at the Battle of Guagamela.

Alexander’s Other Conquests Chased Darius eastward only to find him murdered by a provincial governor. Continued pushing eastward to the Indus River. Low morale among soldiers eventually forced return. Marched ll,000 miles in 11 years. Reached Babylon by 323 B.C. Alexander was planning to organize and unite his empire. Contracted fever and died at the age of 32. Alexander’s empire divided amongst three generals: 1. Antigonus – King of Macedonia and Greek city –states. 2. Ptolemy – Took Egypt and proclaimed Pharaoh. Started dynasty. 3. Seleucus – most of old Persian Empire. New culture emerged. Blending of Greek and Eastern customs.