Alexander the Great Sources Arrian Anabasis Alexandri Plutarch Life of Alexander Diodorus Bibliotheca, Book 17 Q. Curtius Rufus Birth and Youth: Son of Philip II and Olympias Born 20 July, 356 Aristotle hired to tutor the prince (343) 340: Alexander subdues the Maedi 338: Commanded the Companion Cavalry at Chaeronea on 4 Aug. Pella Mosaic Accession October 336: Philip assassinated Alexander succeeds unopposed Attalus, Cleopatra and her son executed Alexander assumed hegemony of the League of Corinth 335: Campaigns in Thrace, Illyria, Paeonia Thebes Sept. 335: Macedonian garrison besieged Word spread of Alexander’s death Alexander: Marched to Boeotia in 12 days Thebes razed, early Oct. “They spared neither woman nor child” (Arrian Anab. 8.8) Alexander’s Early reign Crossing the Hellespont Spring 334: Crossed into Asia at Sestos/Abydus 30,000 infantry; 5000 cavalry Battle of the River Granicus June, 334. Persians: Chose to defend Asia Minor 20,000 mercenaries; 20,000 horse Alexander: Cavalry battle Clitus narrowly saves Alexander 2000 Athenian mercenaries captured Asia Minor Issus Sept. 333 Alexander arrives in Cilicia One month illness Nov. 333 Darius III with main Persian army Battle of Issus Alexander captures royal family Issus Levant Siege of Tyre Jan - Aug 332 Darius offers terms Siege of Gaza Sept - Oct 332 Asia Minor Egypt Alexander crowned Pharaoh November 332 Temple of Ammon at Siwa , "Rejoice, son. And consider this greeting to have come from the god." (Diod.17.51.1) Alexandria: 7 April 331 March to Thapsacus in July 331 Egypt Gaugamela Darius with 600,000 at Gaugamela Alexander with 60,000 01 Oct. 331 Alexander defeats Persian army Darius escapes again Babylon and Susa fall Alexander in Persepolis January 330 Persepolis Death of Darius Persepolis burned, May 330 Ecbatana Darius murdered, July 330 Conspiracy of Philotas Philotas and Parmenion executed Alexander, an Asian King Median dress Claims of divinity Obeisance (proscunesis) Persian officers “It was in fact at this time that Alexander gave loose rein to his passions” (Curtius 6.6.1) The Upper Satrapies The Upper Satrapies Jaxartes Border; 329 The Sogdian Rock, 328 Murder of Clitus, 328 Marriage to Rhoxane, 327 India May, 326: Battle of the Hydaspes River Nov. 326 – July 325 March south along the Indus Alexander turns for home India Gedrosian Desert To Babylon Hephaestion: Dies of alcohol poisoning Fall 324 Alexander falls ill: May 323 Alexander Dead 11 June, 323 .