Alexander the Great conquers Persia | World History | Khan Academy

The video script starts with Alexander the Great solidifying his rule over the Macedonian Empire, following the suppression of a rebellion in Thebes. Alexander then sets his sights on Asia, specifically the Persian Empire, a goal his father had intended before his death. He leaves Antipater, one of his father's generals, in charge of Greece and embarks on a grand adventure to conquer the Persian Empire. The year is 334 BCE, and the first major battle is at the Granicus River in modern-day Turkey. Despite being slightly outnumbered in cavalry, Alexander's forces, which include a mix of infantry and cavalry, are victorious. The Persian forces are led by satraps, the regional governors, but Alexander manages to defeat them. However, he has yet to confront Darius III, the King of Persia. Alexander continues to liberate cities along the Anatolian coast, which were once Greek. In 333 BCE, Antipater also secures Greece by defeating the Spartans at Megalopolis, bringing them into the League of Corinth. Alexander's next significant battle is at Issus, where despite being heavily outnumbered, he faces Darius III directly for the first time and emerges victorious, leading to Darius fleeing and leaving behind his family, who are later treated well by Alexander.

Following his victory at Issus, Alexander advances into the Levant, which includes modern-day Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Palestine. He besieges the cities of Tyre and Gaza, and by 332 BCE, he enters Egypt unopposed. The local satraps recognize him as a liberator. Alexander makes a significant detour to consult the Oracle of Ammon, where he is confirmed as the son of Ammon, reinforcing his divine status. Alexander, who was already believed to be the son of Zeus, begins to style himself as Alexander Zeus Ammon, emphasizing his semi-divine status. Despite the romanticized view of his conquests, the reality involves considerable bloodshed and suffering for the conquered civilians. After his time in Egypt, Alexander continues his eastward expansion, rejecting Darius's peace treaties, and insisting on becoming the sole king of Asia. The two forces meet again at the Battle of Gaugamela, where Alexander, despite being outnumbered, achieves a decisive victory. Darius flees, and Alexander captures key cities and the Achaemenid capital of Susa. The Persian Empire is effectively fallen by 330 BCE when Alexander's forces sack and destroy Persepolis, the Achaemenid capital. Darius is betrayed and killed by Bessus, a satrap who declares himself the new king. Alexander pursues Bessus, executes him, and continues his conquests into Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan, following the trail of Darius.

In 329 BCE, Alexander catches up with Bessus, who had usurped the title of Shahanshah after killing Darius. Alexander, angered by Bessus's actions, executes him brutally. Alexander's forces continue their eastward march, where they engage in the famous battle with the Indian king Porus and his war elephants. Alexander's tactical brilliance leads to victory once again. Throughout his conquests, Alexander founds numerous cities, including 20 named Alexandria, and one named Bucephala after his horse. Despite his desire to conquer the rest of India, his troops, weary and far from home, resist further campaigns. Alexander reluctantly agrees to return, and they make their way back along the Indus River. By 323 BCE, Alexander is back in Babylon, where he dies at the age of 32. His death is shrouded in mystery, with theories ranging from alcohol poisoning to assassination. Alexander's conquests, during his brief 12-year reign, had a profound impact on history, as he assimilated his troops into the cultures he conquered and reshaped the ancient world.