Alexander the Great conquers Persia | World History | Khan Academy
TLDRThe video script narrates the remarkable journey of Alexander the Great, detailing his consolidation of power over the Macedonian Empire, his military conquests, and his quest to become the king of Asia. It highlights key battles such as Granicus River, Issus, and Gaugamela, where Alexander's forces, despite being outnumbered, emerged victorious. The script also touches on the cultural assimilation encouraged by Alexander, his claim to divinity, and the tragic end of the Persian Empire with the capture and execution of Darius III. The narrative concludes with Alexander's untimely death in Babylon at 32, leaving behind a legacy of one of history's most ambitious and influential conquests.
Takeaways
- 🏺 Alexander the Great consolidated power over Macedonia and quelled a rebellion in Thebes, which deterred other Greek city-states from opposing him.
- 🗺 With the ambition to conquer Asia and fulfill his father's wishes, Alexander appointed Antipater as regent in Greece and embarked on a historic campaign.
- 🏰 In 334 BCE, Alexander's first major battle was at the Granicus River, where despite being slightly outnumbered in cavalry, he achieved victory against Persian forces led by satraps.
- 📍 Alexander's conquests included liberating cities along the Anatolian coast, which were formerly Greek, and his military campaigns extended to modern-day Turkey.
- ⛰ In 333 BCE, Antipater defeated the Spartans at Megalopolis, integrating them into the League of Corinth, thus maintaining power in Greece.
- 🤺 The Battle of Issus in 333 BCE was significant as Alexander's forces, though outnumbered, overcame the Persian army led by Darius III, the King of Kings.
- 👑 Following his victory at Issus, Alexander took Darius's family captive but treated them well, eventually marrying one of Darius's daughters.
- 🏙 Alexander's forces continued to conquer, taking over cities in the Levant and Egypt, where he was seen as a liberator and confirmed his divine lineage at the Oracle of Ammon.
- 🐘 At the Battle of Gaugamela, Alexander once again defeated Darius, who had a significant force advantage, leading to the collapse of the Persian Empire.
- 🔥 In 330 BCE, Alexander's forces sacked and destroyed the Achaemenid capital of Persepolis, marking the official end of the Persian Empire and Alexander's rise as its king.
- 🏰 Alexander established numerous cities, including 20 named Alexandria, throughout his conquered territories, spreading Hellenistic culture and influence.
- 🎭 Alexander's death in 323 BCE at the age of 32 concluded a remarkable 12-year reign, during which he assimilated various cultures and left a lasting impact on the ancient world.
Q & A
Who was Alexander the Great consolidating power over in the Macedonian Empire?
-Alexander the Great was consolidating power over the Macedonian Empire, particularly by putting down a rebellion in Thebes and asserting his dominance over the Greek city-states.
What significant event happened in Thebes that led to other Greek city-states not wanting to confront Alexander?
-Alexander put down a rebellion in Thebes and destroyed the city, which deterred other city-states from challenging him.
Who was appointed by Alexander to be in charge of Greece while he embarked on his conquest of the Persian Empire?
-Antipater, one of Alexander's generals and also one of his father's generals, was appointed to be in charge of Greece.
In what year did Alexander face his first major battle at the Granicus River?
-Alexander faced his first major battle at the Granicus River in the year 334 BCE.
What was the approximate size of Alexander's force at the Granicus River battle?
-Alexander's force at the Granicus River battle numbered between 40,000 and 50,000 troops, consisting of a mix of infantry and cavalry.
Who led the Persian forces at the Granicus River that Alexander defeated?
-The Persian forces at the Granicus River were led by the Persian satraps, who were the governors of the territories in Asia Minor.
What significant event happened in 333 BCE regarding Sparta and the League of Corinth?
-In 333 BCE, Antipater defeated the Spartans at the Battle of Megalopolis and forced them to join the League of Corinth.
At which battle did Alexander the Great first directly confront Darius III, the King of Persia?
-Alexander the Great first directly confronted Darius III at the Battle of Issus.
What was the approximate size of the Persian forces at the Battle of Issus?
-The Persian forces at the Battle of Issus were estimated to be at least 150,000, and possibly over 100,000 according to some accounts.
How did Alexander treat Darius III's family after he took them captive following the Battle of Issus?
-Alexander treated Darius III's family, including his mother, wife, and two daughters, very kindly and eventually married one of Darius's daughters.
What significant title did Alexander take for himself after being reassured by the Oracle of Ammon that he was a son of Ammon?
-After being reassured by the Oracle of Ammon, Alexander took the title of Alexander Zeus Ammon, signifying that he considered himself to be the son of both Zeus and Ammon.
In what year did Alexander the Great die, and at what age?
-Alexander the Great died in 323 BCE at the age of 32.
Outlines
🏺 Alexander's Conquest Begins: The Macedonian and Persian Empires
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.
🏰 Alexander's Eastern Expansion and the Fall of the Persian Empire
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.
🔱 The Final Campaigns and the End of Alexander's Journey
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.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Alexander the Great
💡Macedonian Empire
💡Granicus River
💡Persian Empire
💡Darius III
💡Siege
💡Battle of Issus
💡Egypt
💡Gaugamela
💡Persepolis
💡Assimilation
Highlights
Alexander the Great consolidated power over the Macedonian Empire after putting down a rebellion in Thebes.
Alexander's first major battle was at the Granicus River in modern-day Turkey.
Alexander's forces were between 40,000 and 50,000 troops, with an advantage in infantry numbers at Granicus.
The Persian forces at Granicus were led by satraps, the governors of the Persian territories.
Alexander's victory at Granicus did not involve a direct confrontation with Darius III, the King of Persia.
In 333 BCE, Antipater, a general under Alexander, defeated the Spartans at the Battle of Megalopolis.
The Battle of Issus was significant because Alexander's forces were hugely outnumbered by the Persians.
At Issus, Alexander directly confronted Darius III for the first time and managed to defeat the Persian army.
Darius III left behind his family in his haste to retreat after the Battle of Issus.
Alexander took Darius's family captive but treated them well and eventually married one of Darius's daughters.
Alexander's conquests included the cities of Tyre and Gaza, and he was largely unopposed in Egypt.
In Egypt, Alexander was recognized as a liberator and visited the Oracle of Ammon, where he was confirmed as a son of Ammon.
Alexander began to style himself as a demi-god, calling himself Alexander Zeus Ammon.
Despite the romanticized view of his conquests, Alexander's campaigns involved significant bloodshed and suffering.
Darius III continued to send treaties to Alexander, but Alexander refused, aiming to become the king of Asia.
The Battle of Gaugamela was a decisive victory for Alexander, where he defeated Darius's forces despite being outnumbered.
Following the defeat at Gaugamela, Alexander captured Babylon and Susia, one of the Achaemenid Empire's capitals.
In 330 BCE, Alexander's forces sacked and destroyed the Achaemenid capital of Persepolis.
Alexander pursued Darius III into the east, eventually capturing and executing Bessus, who had killed Darius and claimed the throne.
Alexander established numerous cities, including 20 named Alexandria, and one named after his horse, Bucephala.
After defeating the king of Porus and his war elephants, Alexander wished to continue eastward but was dissuaded by his tired troops.
Alexander died in Babylon at the age of 32, after a 12-year reign that saw the defeat of a 200-year-old empire.
During his conquests, Alexander encouraged assimilation between his troops and the conquered peoples, sometimes to criticism.
Transcripts
Browse More Related Video
The Greatest General in History? Alexander the Great (All Parts)
Alexander the Great
Ancient Empires: Alexander the Great Decimates Persian Forces (Season 1)
Top 10 Alexander The Great Facts
Alexander: Indian Campaign, Reforms, Plans, Death - Ancient History
The Greatest Warrior In History : Alexander The Great | The King of Macedonia | The Dr. Binocs Show
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)
Thanks for rating: