Alexander the Great's Conquest - Balkan Campaign 335 BC

The script introduces Alexander the Great, one of history's most renowned figures, and poses questions about his character and death. It then focuses on Alexander's rise to power after his father, Philip II's, assassination. Alexander's education under Aristotle is highlighted as pivotal for his future. The script promotes Skillshare as a learning platform for various skills, mentioning specific courses useful for video creation and productivity. It concludes with the setup of Alexander's story, mentioning his inheritance of the Macedonian army, the Hellenic League, and a strategic position in Asia Minor, along with the immediate challenges he faced in consolidating power.

After his father's death, Alexander swiftly solidified his rule by conducting a dynastic purge and winning over key generals. He moved quickly to quell anti-Macedonian sentiments in Greece, particularly in Thebes and Athens, by demonstrating his authority and securing temporary submission through audacity and strategic movements. Alexander's bold actions led to his recognition as hegemon at Thermopylae and his successful convening of the Hellenic League at Corinth, all within two months. His actions showcased his ability to command and his strategic genius in maintaining control over a vast and diverse empire.

Alexander focused on neutralizing the threat of Thrace and Illyria to secure his northern borders before the Persian invasion. He led a well-prepared army to face the Thracians at Mount Haemus, where he outmaneuvered them with strategic planning and discipline, suffering no losses. Alexander continued his campaign against the Triballians, where he demonstrated his adaptability and ruthlessness, leading to the submission of the Triballians and the neighboring Getae. These campaigns showcased Alexander's military prowess and his ability to inspire fear and respect among his enemies.

The script describes Alexander's campaign against the Illyrian rulers who were in revolt. He quickly moved to besiege Cleitus at Pelium, but was trapped by Glaucias' forces. Despite this setback, Alexander devised a plan to escape the encirclement by performing drills with his phalanx, which intimidated the enemy. He then used a combination of infantry and cavalry to secure a crossing at the Apsus river, demonstrating his tactical ingenuity. Alexander's relentless pursuit and ambush of the unsuspecting Illyrians led to a decisive victory, showcasing his mastery of warfare and his relentless drive for conquest.

Upon hearing rumors of his death, Thebes and other Greek states began to revolt against Macedonian rule. Alexander responded by swiftly marching his troops to Thebes, where he found the city unprepared for his arrival. Despite initial negotiations, Theban defiance led to a brutal battle and the eventual sacking of the city. The Macedonians and their allies showed no mercy, resulting in the death of 6,000 Thebans and the capture of 30,000 more. The city was largely destroyed, and its land and people were divided among the allies. This event sent shockwaves throughout Greece, leading to a climate of fear and compliance.

Following the fall of Thebes, Alexander turned his attention to Athens, demanding the surrender of ten strategoi who had opposed him. Through the persuasion of Demades, Alexander showed leniency towards Athens. However, the destruction of Thebes marked the end of Alexander's goodwill towards the Greeks, who harbored a deep-seated resentment towards him. Despite this, Alexander was more focused on his upcoming invasion of the Achaemenid Empire, which is teased to be the subject of the next episode in the series.