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Why was Alexander the Great So Successful In His Conquests

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In the public's mind, few well known conquerors in history match the exploits of Alexander the Great<youtube>https://www. In just a few years, from 334-330 BC, Alexander would go on to conquer the largest empire the world had known and establish his own empire that eventually stretched from Greece to Indiayoutube. Furthermore, Alexander began a process where Greek culture began to intermix with ancient Near Eastern, Egyptian, Central Asian, and Indian cultures that influenced much of the Old World for many centuries. The exchange of ideas and trade brought about an era of unprecedented prosperity and knowledge that advanced the ancient world's sciences and led to many discoveries that would not be replicated until the Renaissance in the 15 or 16th century AD. What is remarkable is he achieved all of this by the age of 32 at the time of his death in Babylon. However, the root of all the social change that would eventually influence Europe, the Near East, Egypt, and much of Asia rested in his ability to conquer a lot of territory and doing it quickly. The question is how did he do thiscom/watch?v=a2a4oR0ZUYE</youtube>
==Initial Conquests==
__NOTOC__[[File:1200px-Alexander_the_Great_mosaic.jpg|thumbnail|left|300px|Alexander took power after the death of his father, Philip II of Macedon, who had already planned to invade Great]]In the Persianpublic's mind, Achaemenid Empire. His first battles were few well-known conquerors in Greece and history match the Balkans, where he consolidated his power while suppressing several revolts. Shortly after crossing into Asia Minor in 334 BC with perhaps 30,000-50,000 troops, exploits of Alexander quickly one his first major battle at Granicus. This victory allowed him to take the western half of Asia MinorGreat. After In just a few sieges and taking the city of Sardisyears, one of the most important cities in Asia Minorfrom 334-330 BC, he proceeded toward Syria where he encountered the Persian King Darius III in 333 at Alexander would conquer the battle of Issus. This is largest empire the first major battle he world had with the Persian king known and once again Alexander proved establish his excellent strategic thinking by outflanking the Persian army through the use of his cavalryempire that eventually stretched from Greece to India. He made Furthermore, Alexander began a direct attack on process where Greek culture began to intermix with ancient Near Eastern, Egyptian, Central Asian, and Indian cultures that influenced much of the Persian king's center line, which became a famous Roman era mosaic found in Pompeii (Figure 1)Old World for many centuries.
==The Levantexchange of ideas and trade brought about an era of unprecedented prosperity and knowledge that advanced the ancient world's sciences. It led to many discoveries that would not be replicated until the Renaissance in the 15 or 16th century AD. What is remarkable is he achieved all of this by the age of 32 at the time of his death in Babylon. However, Syriathe root of all the social change that would eventually influence Europe, the Near East, Egypt, and Egypt==much of Asia rested in his ability to conquer many territories and do it quickly. The question is, how did he do this?
After ====Initial Conquests====[[File:Alexandermosaic.jpg|thumbnail|left|275px|Figure 1. A mosaic showing Alexander attacking Darius III and his centerline at the battle of Issus, .]]Alexander took power after the Levant and death of his father, Philip II of Macedon, who had already planned to invade the coastal cities, which were important trading citiesPersian, and proceeded into EgyptAchaemenid Empire. In Syria <ref>For more on Alexander's father and the Levant, his only major encounters were the sieges plans of Tyre and Gaza in 332 BC. In Egyptconquests, see: Carney, he was quickly accepted by the local populationElizabeth Donnelly, as the Egyptians had revolted against the Achaemenids not long before Alexander andDaniel Ogden, therefore, saw this as an opportunity for new leadershipeds. 2010. [https://www. Here, he became considered the son of Amun, the chief of the Egyptian pantheon, further exalting him in the eyes of his new subjectsamazon. com/gp/product/0199738157/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0199738157&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=40e1c4808c9befad6d185d849b70849b Philip II and Alexander also began the process of founding citiesGreat: Father and Son, the most famous of which was AlexandriaLives and Afterlives]. Oxford ; New York: Oxford University Press. It's position along </ref> His first battles were Greece and the Mediterranean reflects a key changeBalkans, where Egypt and the eastern Mediterranean worlds would be more strongly integrated in culture and trade in the centuries to comehe consolidated his power while suppressing several revolts.
Shortly after crossing into Asia Minor in 334 BC with perhaps 30,000-50,000 troops, Alexander quickly won his first major battle at Granicus.<ref>For more on this battle, see: Matthews, Rupert. 2008. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1862274487/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1862274487&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=5cd69acbd10c5367b89300d97a9862e7 Alexander the Great at the Battle of Gaugamela Granicus]</i>. Stroud: Spellmount.</ref> This victory allowed him to take the western half of Asia Minor. After a few sieges and Fall taking Sardis, one of the Achaemenidsmost important cities in Asia Minor, he proceeded toward Syria. He encountered the Persian King Darius III in 333 at Issus's battle.<ref> For more on the battle of Issus, see Delbrück, Hans. 1975. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0803265867/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0803265867&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=f94cfc51938674926b5abff31bc432d5 History of the Art of War]</i>. Lincoln, Neb: University of Nebraska Press/ Bison Book, pg. 191. </ref> This is the first major battle he had with the Persian king, and once again, Alexander proved his excellent strategic thinking by outflanking the Persian army through his cavalry. He made a direct attack on the Persian king's centerline, where this key moment in the battle became a famous Roman-era mosaic found in Pompeii (Figure 1).
====The Achaemenids perhaps had one more great chance to defeat Alexander at Levant, Syria, and Egypt====After the battle of Gaugamela near modern day Erbil. ThereIssus, once again Alexander's tactics proved decisive where his forces formed a wedge-shaped attack that that tore into Darius' center, causing took the king to likely flee Levant and the battle. With this battle securecoastal Mediterranean cities, all of Mesopotamia fell to Alexander which were important trading cities and allowed the great city Achaemenids to derive much of Babylon was entered by Alexander without any need for combattheir wealth, establish their navy, and proceed into Egypt. It is at Babylon that Alexander perhaps decided he would make In Syria and the city Levant, his new capital only major encounters were the sieges of his now vast empire, as it would unit the Greek Tyre and Near Eastern worldsGaza in 332 BC. <ref> For more on Alexander then went on to take Susa, 's campaigns in the old capital of the PersiansLevant and Syria, and then the ceremonial capital of Persepolissee: Freeman, which was at least partially burned most likely by Philip. 2011. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1416592814/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1416592814&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=f5c583c6ae9445145f4140977f336b3f Alexander's troopsthe Great]</i>. Only one more major battle was fought against the Persians at the battle of the Persian GatesNew York: Simon & Schuster, a strategic crossingpg. After this Darius' was killed by one of his own generals and Achaemenid factions continued to lead a guerilla style war against Alexander26. This led Alexander to reach Central Asia</ref> In Egypt, where he founded many cities along was quickly accepted by the way that gained importance during local population, as the rise of Egyptians had revolted against the Silk Road. This included the city of Kandhar in Afghanistan Achaemenids not long before Alexander and eventually reaching Tajikistan, almost near the edge of Tibet (Figure 2). His wars continued in Central Asia and Indiatherefore, where he encountered major resistance. This led to his men tiring of battle and eventually forcing Alexander to pull his forces back, eventually reaching once again Babylonsaw this as an opportunity for new leadership.
Here, he became considered Amun's son, the chief of the Egyptian pantheon, further exalting him in his new subjects' eyes. Alexander also began the process of founding cities, the most famous of which was Alexandria. Its position along the Mediterranean reflects a key change, where Egypt and the eastern Mediterranean worlds would be more strongly integrated into culture and trade in the centuries to come.<ref> For more on Alexander's time in Egypt, Bowman, Alan K. 1996. [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0520205316/ref=as_li_tl?ie=Why Was He SuccessfulUTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0520205316&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=b3b436dd2cc5146e4b70f06b8ab1d48b Egypt after the Pharaohs: 332 BC-AD 642] ; from Alexander to the Arab Conquest. 2. paperback printing. Berkeley, Calif.: Univ. of California Press, pg. 22</ref> That was Alexander's intention from the outset, showing that he likely had long-term, strategic thinking about the nature and future of his conquered lands long after his own time.
Clearly ====Battle of Gaugamela and Fall of the Achaemenids====[[File:MacedonEmpire.jpg|left|thumbnail|Figure 2. The extent of Alexander's success lies in empire after his military genius in knowing how to use his cavalry and troops precisely at key moments in battle. Several times it seemed he was close to defeat but was able to use wars with the situation to his advantage by luring his enemies into a deeper trap. FurthermorePersians, his troops were well trained in holding their positions Central Asia, and not panicking in battle. However, a lot of the success had little to do with Alexander but the nature of the Achaemenid EmpireIndia. ]]The Achaemenids were perhaps the most successful empire up had one more great chance to that pointdefeat Alexander at Gaugamela's battle near modern-day Erbil. They had not only succeed in uniting Once again, Alexander's tactics proved decisive where his forces formed a vast territory but also truly integrating it into a cohesive empire wedge-shaped attack that traded extensively and had well maintained roads. The Achaemenid state was prosperous and people had by then began to move and live in areas far from their homelands. The worldtore into Darius' center, in essence, had become smaller thanks causing the king to many of their tolerant policies. While it is true that Egypt and some other regions had revolted against them, many had actually benefited from flee the Achaemenidsbattle likely. It is no wonderWith this battle secure, therefore, that Alexander marries Persian royalty and eventually takes on the regalia all of the Achaemenid kings. This is also why he had planned for Babylon Mesopotamia fell to be his new capitalAlexander, as it was one of the chief cities and capitals of the Achaemenid Empire despite being in Mesopotamia. Commerce had now become the glue that bound many regions and Alexander understood this. This probably led to his men resenting Alexanderentered Babylon's penchant great city without any need for the Achaemenidscombat. At Babylon, as the Greeks still held beliefs that the Persians were not on the same level as them. While Alexander died perhaps before decided he could realize would make the city the new capital of his dream of a super now vast empire, as it would unite the benefits of the east became Greek and Near Eastern worlds more apparent closely. Alexander then went on to his generals and mentake Susa, where many stayed after the wars. New Greek populations began to migrate to old capital of the Near East and the process of mixing Hellenic and eastern cultures had begunPersians, something that also brought and integrated knowledge that facilitated then the rise ceremonial capital of astronomyPersepolis, physics, mathematics, and other scientific fieldswhich was at least partially burned most likely by Alexander's troops.
<dh-ad/> Only one more major battle was fought against the Persians at the Persian Gates battle, a strategic crossing.<ref>For More on the Battles of Gaugamela and Alexander's later battles against the Persians, see: Wilcken, Ulrich, and Eugene N. Borza. 1967. Alexander the Great. Norton Library. New York: Norton, pg. 60. </ref> After this, Darius III was killed by one of his generals, and Achaemenid factions continued to lead a guerilla-style war against Alexander. However, they squabbled between themselves over the remains of their empire.  This division allowed Alexander to reach Central Asia with only minor resistance easily. He founded many cities along the way that gained importance during the rise of the Silk Road. This included the city of Kandahar in Afghanistan and eventually reaching Tajikistan, almost near the edge of Tibet. His wars continued in Central Asia and India, where he initially encountered major resistance.<ref> For more on Alexander's campaigns in Central Asia and India, see: Roy, Kaushik. 2004. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/8178241099/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=8178241099&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=912065039072f879b4b3dfdca7da078a India’s Historic Battles: From Alexander the Great to Kargil]</i>. Delhi : Bangalore: Permanent Black ; Distributed by Orient Longman, pg. 29</ref>  Alexander's battles were the first where European armies had encountered war elephants, which likely caused great fear in his army before eventually overcoming them in battle. Nevertheless, the difficulty of long campaigning and undoubtedly losing many men led to his men tiring of conflict and eventually forcing Alexander to pull his forces back, finally reaching once again Babylon. By the time Alexander finished campaigning, he had created the first empire that connected Europe with Central Asia (Figure 2). ====Why Was He Successful====Alexander's success lay in his military genius, knowing how to use his cavalry and troops precisely at key moments in battle. It seemed he was close to defeat several times but could use the situation to his advantage by luring his enemies into a deeper trap. Furthermore, his troops were well trained in holding their positions and not panicking in battle.<ref> For more on the battle tactics of Alexander, see Bose, Partha Sarathi. 2004. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FJ16XNM/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B01FJ16XNM&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=641707a6856af1049e12d1340ff7334f Alexander the Great’s Art of Strategy: Lessons from the Great Empire Builder]</i>. London: Profile.</ref> However, a lot of the success had little to do with Alexander but the Achaemenid Empire's nature.  The Achaemenids were perhaps the most successful empire up to that point. They had succeeded in uniting a vast territory and genuinely integrating it into a cohesive realm that traded extensively and had well-maintained roads. The Achaemenid state was prosperous, and people had by then began to move and live in areas far from their homelands. The world, in essence, had become smaller thanks to many of their tolerant policies.  While it is true that Egypt and some other regions had revolted against them, many had benefited from the Achaemenids. Therefore, it is no wonder that Alexander marries Persian royalty and eventually takes on the regalia of the Achaemenid kings. This is also why he had planned for Babylon to be his new capital. It was one of the chief cities and capitals of the Achaemenid Empire despite being in Mesopotamia. Commerce had now become the glue that bound many regions, and Alexander understood this. This probably led to his men resenting Alexander's penchant for the Achaemenids, as the Greeks still held beliefs that the Persians were not on the same level as them.  While Alexander died before realizing his dream of a super empire, the east's benefits became more apparent to his generals and men. Many of them stayed after the wars. New Greek populations began to migrate to the Near East, and the process of mixing Hellenic and eastern cultures had started. The mixture of Greece and the Nearly mixed knowledge and created an integrated understanding that facilitated the rise of astronomy, physics, mathematics, and other scientific fields. Alexander's legacy lasted long after his death. His military success paved the way for the tremendous Classical achievements that eventually became one of the foundations of the Renaissance and our modern Western world. <div class="portal" style="width:85%;">====Related DailyHistory.org Articles====*[[What was Plato's academy and why did it influence Western thought?]]*[[Alexander the Great Top Ten Booklist]]*[[What Factors Led to the Creation of the First Cities?]]*[[How Did Early Judicial Systems Evolve?]]</div> ====References====
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