List of cities founded by Alexander the GreatEarly lifeEducationPersonal relationshipsEarly ruleConsolidation of powerBalkan campaignPeliumThebesConquest of the Persian EmpireAsia MinorGranicusHalicarnassusSyriaIssusTyreEgyptGazaMesopotamiaGaugamelaPersiaPersian GatePersepolisBactriaCyropolisSogdian RockExpedition into IndiaIndian campaignsCophenAornosHydaspesMallianDeath and legacyDeathTombHellenistic periodCitiesCultCultural impactLegendsAlexander RomanceHistoriographyAnabasisChronologyCultural depictionsHornsIslamic worldAlexander the Great (356 – 323 BC), a king of ancient Macedon, created one of the largest empires in history by waging an extensive military campaign throughout Asia.
Alexander the GreatKing of Macedon from 336 to 323 BCAlexander III of Macedon (Ancient Greek: Ἀλέξανδρος, romanized: Aléxandros; 20/21 July 356 BC – 10/11 June 323 BC), most commonly known as Alexander the Great, was king of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon from 336 BC until his death. He was the son of Philip II, born to him by his fourth wife, Olympias, and ascended to the throne at the age of 20 after Philip was assassinated.
Darius IIIDarius III (Old Persian: Dārayavaʰuš; Ancient Greek: Dareios; c. 380 – 330 BC) was the thirteenth and last AchaemenidKing of Kings of Persia, reigning from 336 BC to his death in 330 BC. Contrary to his predecessor Artaxerxes IV Arses, Darius was a distant member of the Achaemenid dynasty. During his early career, he was reportedly an obscure figure among his peers and first rose to prominence during the Cadusian expedition of Artaxerxes III in the 350s BC.
Achaemenid EmpireThe Achaemenid Empire (, ; Old Persian: , Xšāça, lit. 'The Empire' or 'The Kingdom') was an ancient Iranian empire founded by Cyrus the Great of the Achaemenid dynasty in 550 BC. At peak, its territorial extent was roughly 5.5 million square kilometres (2.1 million square miles), making it the largest empire of its time.
Anabasis of AlexanderEarly lifeEducationPersonal relationshipsEarly ruleConsolidation of powerBalkan campaignPeliumThebesConquest of the Persian EmpireAsia MinorGranicusHalicarnassusSyriaIssusTyreEgyptGazaMesopotamiaGaugamelaPersiaPersian GatePersepolisBactriaCyropolisSogdian RockExpedition into IndiaIndian campaignsCophenAornosHydaspesMallianDeath and legacyDeathTombHellenistic periodCitiesCultCultural impactLegendsAlexander RomanceHistoriographyAnabasisChronologyCultural depictionsHornsIslamic worldThe Anabasis of Alexander (Ancient Greek: Ἀλεξάνδρου Ἀνάβασις, Alexándrou Anábasis; Latin: Anabasis Alexandri) was composed by Arrian of Nicomedia in the second century AD, most probably during the reign of Hadrian.
Wars of Alexander the GreatConflicts of Alexander the Great (336–325 BC)BelligerentsMacedonian Empire • Hellenic LeagueGandharaAchaemenid EmpireBalkans:IllyriansThraciansPolisWestern and Central Asia:BactriaSogdiaUxiiansIndia:PauravasAśvakaGuraensMalliansOxydracians Amvastha Commanders and leadersAlexander the Great (WIA)Parmenion XAntipaterCraterus (WIA)Cleitus XCoenus #SeleucusNearchusHephaestion #PeithonEumenesAristonSimmiasNicanor #Ptolemy (WIA)PerdiccasPhilotas TaxilesDarius III XBessus Memnon #Batis Ariobarzanes †Arsames †DimitriadisSpithridates †Rheomithres †Niphates †Petenes †Mithrobuzanes †Arbupales †Mithridates †Pharnaces †Omares †OrontobatesMazaeus #Azemilcus HegesistratusSpitamenes XPorusGlauciusCasualties and losses More than 1 millionAlexander the Great of Macedon carried out a series of conquests and military campaigns from 336 to 323 BC.
Indian campaign of Alexander the GreatThe Indian campaign of Alexander the Great began in 327 BC and lasted until 325 BC. After conquering the Achaemenid Persian Empire, the Macedonian army undertook an expedition into the Indus Valley in northwestern South Asia. Within two years, Alexander the Great expanded the Macedonian Empire, a Hellenistic kingdom, to include Gandhara and the Indus Valley (present-day Punjab and Sindh), surpassing the earlier frontiers established by the Persian Achaemenid conquest.
Battle of the Persian GateBelligerentsMacedonian EmpireHellenic LeagueAchaemenid EmpireCommanders and leadersAlexander the GreatCraterusPtolemyPerdiccasAriobarzanes of Persis†Youtab†Strength 17,000 picked fighters40,000 infantry and 700 cavalry (Arrian)700–2,000 (modern estimates)Casualties and losses Unknown, but moderate to heavy Entire armyThe Battle of the Persian Gate took place as part of the Wars of Alexander the Great.
Alexandria EschateAlexandria Eschate (Attic Greek: Ἀλεξάνδρεια Ἐσχάτη, Doric Greek: Ἀλεξάνδρεια Ἐσχάτα, romanized: Alexandria Eschata, "Furthest Alexandria") was a city founded by Alexander the Great, at the south-western end of the Fergana Valley (modern Tajikistan) in August 329 BC. It was the most northerly outpost of Alexander's Empire in Central Asia.
Battle of GaugamelaBelligerentsMacedoniaHellenic LeagueAchaemenid EmpireCommanders and leadersAlexander the GreatHephaestionParmenionAristonSimmiasCoenusMenidesDarius IIIBessusMazaeusStrength47,000(see Size of Macedonian army)50,000–250,000 (modern estimates)250,000–1,000,000 (ancient sources)(see Size of Persian army)Casualties and losses 1,100–1,5001,000 cavalry100–500 infantry 40,000–90,000300,000+ captured (according to Arrian)Battle of Gaugamela (West and Central Asia)Show map of West and Central AsiaThe Battle of Gaugamela ( ; Ancient Greek: Γαυγάμηλα, romanized: Gaugámēla, lit.'the Camel's House'), also called the Battle of Arbela (Ἄρβηλα, Árbēla), took place in 331 BC between the forces of the Army of Macedon under Alexander the Great and the Persian Army under King Darius III.
Battle of the GranicusBelligerentsMacedonHellenic LeagueAchaemenid EmpireCommanders and leadersAlexander the GreatParmenionPhilotasAmyntas (son of Arrhabaeus)SocratesNicanorPerdiccasCoenusCraterusAmyntas (son of Andromenes)MeleagerAgathonPhilip (son of Menelaus)CalasArsitesMemnon of RhodesArsamesDimitriadisSpithridates†RheomithresNiphates†Petenes†Mithrobuzanes†Arbupales†Mithridates†Pharnaces†Omares†Strength18,100 total4,200 heavy cavalry1,800 Companion cavalry1,800 Greek Thessalian cavalry600 Greek allied cavalry900 light cavalryprodromoiPaeoniansThracians12,000 heavy infantry9,000 Foot Companions3,000 hypaspists1,000 light infantryarchersAgrianians14,000–40,000 total10,000–20,000 cavalry 4,000–20,000 infantry4,000–5,000 Greek mercenaries0–16,000 other infantryCasualties and losses115 total85 cavalry killed30 infantry killed5,000–6,000 total1,000 cavalry killed2,000–3,000 Greek mercenaries killed2,000 Greek mercenaries taken prisonerBattle of the Granicus (Turkey)Show map of TurkeyThe Battle of the Granicus in May 334 BC was the first of three major battles fought between Alexander the Great of Macedon and the Persian Achaemenid Empire.HomonoiaHomonoia (Greek: Ὁμόνοια) is the concept of order and unity, being of one mind together or union of hearts. It was used by the Greeks to create unity in the politics of classical Greece. It saw widespread use when Alexander the Great adopted its principles to govern his Empire.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.