Alexander the great

Alexander the great

Alexander the great

An Introduction to Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great is perhaps the most famous person in world history. Born in 356 BCE, in Pella, the capital of ancient Macedonia, he became one of the most successful commanders in the history of warfare. He conquered an empire that stretched from Greece to Egypt along with parts of India by the time he was thirty years old. His incursion altered the ancient world and spread Greek civilization across three continents.

However, he was more than a warrior; he was a pioneer in that he hoped to fuse the various peoples he conquered, coming from many languages and many cultures, over a period of years through different ideas and practices. Although he lived a short life, his legacy would resonate for centuries throughout human history.

Background and Education

Alexander's King Philip II of Macedonia and Queen Olympias. Alexander had early exposure to royal politics and military tactics at an early age. His father was also a brilliant strategist and secured the territory that made Macedonia the leader of the Greek world.

One of the primary influences upon Alexander's thought was his teacher, the philosopher Aristotle. While tutored by Aristotle, Alexander learned to appreciate philosophy, science, medicine, and literature that would influence the way he thought of political leadership.

Rise to Power

Alexander began his reign of Macedonia, in 336 BCE, after the assassination of his father at 20 years of age. Despite his age, he quickly demonstrated that he was worthy of leadership and quelled revolts in Greece and secured his reign.

With Greece united under him, Alexander began his campaign against Persia, which was the pre-eminent power in the world at the time. Importantly, he wished to not only conquer Persia but to follow his father's wishes of establishing Greek domination in Asia.

Military Campaigns and Conquests

Alexander's military genius was first realized with a decisive victory at the Battle of Issus in 333 BCE, followed by the famous siege of Tyre, and the conquest of Egypt. He established the city of Alexandria in Egypt, which developed for centuries into a key center of learning and culture.

In 331 BCE he finally defeated the Persian king Darius III at the Battle of Gaugamela, officially ending the Persian Empire, and began marching eastward, traveling as far as Punjab, India, where he won the Battle of the Hydaspes River against King Porus.

Despite the enormous size of his empire, Alexander found it difficult to keep his army and newly-conquered people united. His goal of creating an amalgamation of Greek and eastern cultures was visionary, but some of his men and the conquered peoples would ultimately resist this merging.

Legacy and Cultural Impact

Alexander passed in 323 BCE in Babylon at the young age of 32. The circumstances of his sudden and mysterious death not only left his empire leaderless but also ushered in a period that would see his once-great empire splintered among his generals known as the Diadochi.

While his empire did not live on intact, Alexander's legacy endured. The Hellenistic period immediately following his death saw the spread of the Greek language, art, architecture, and philosophy throughout the Middle East and into Asia. Cities he founded, to include Alexandria in Egypt and cities in Central Asia, served as cultural cross roads for centuries.

The military concepts and tactics he espoused are still used today within military academies, and his vision of cultural amalgamation set a standard for later empires to assimilate, but still govern, multi-ethnic populations.

How Alexander the Great Conquered Egypt

In 332 BCE as he was fighting against the Persian Empire, Alexander the Great marched into Egypt. Egypt was under Persian rule by the Achaemenid Empire. Although many other regions did not yield to Alexander, Egypt offered no resistance to the Greek King, who was largely accepted and welcomed as a liberator.

Egypt Under Persian Rule

Prior to the arrival of Alexander, Egypt had spent the previous century largely under Persian rule, with few periods of independence. The indigenous Egyptians often had an unfavorable disposition toward Persian rule and did not appreciate foreign intervention in their religious and political establishments. The Egyptians were ready for a change from Persian rule, and Alexander represented the potential for freedom.

A Calm Overtaking

As Alexander the Great approached Egypt, Mazaces, the Persian satrap (governor) of Egypt, recognized that the end for Persian power was near. Persian power had been waning after Alexander’s military victories in Syria and Phoenicia, including the decisive Battle of Issus, and Mazaces was aware that he could offer no military resistance. Therefore, he willingly surrendered, and he did so without a fight.

Alexander entered Egypt not as a conqueror through military force, but as an invited guest. The Egyptians warmly welcomed him as the liberator of Persian rule, and he gained considerable local support from the priests and citizens.

Founding Alexandria

During his sojourn in Egypt, Alexander founded one of his longest lasting legacies, the city of Alexandria, located around the western part of the Nile Delta. It was ideally situated near the Mediterranean Sea, which established Alexandria as a trade, cultural, and intellectual center for centuries. The city was built with wide streets, which were representative of Greek architecture and would serve as a connection between Greek and Egyptian civilizations.

Alexandria would eventually become home to the Library of Alexandria and the Pharos Lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Journey to the Oracle of Amun

One of the most enigmatic and symbolic experiences of Alexander's time in Egypt was his trip to the Siwa Oasis in the Western Desert, which was home to the Oracle of Amun, an influential and sacred temple for the ancient Egyptians. Amun was one of Egypt's most powerful deities and was frequently associated with kingship and divinity.

Ancient sources report that the oracle received Alexander as the "son of Amun," a divine title that enabled him to establish himself as a legitimate sovereign in Egypt and in the eyes of the various cultures of his burgeoning empire. Whether or not the oracle actually called him this, Alexander sought to use the moment to bolster his assertion that he was more than a conqueror, he was a god- king similar to the pharaohs.

Departure from Egypt

After several months in Egypt, Alexander left in 331 BCE to continue his campaign against Persia. He appointed local leadership in Egypt, but the cultural and administrative structures remained intact. His reign was short, but the legacy of that reign remained and was much revered, having been crowned a pharaoh by the local elite during his stay in Egypt.

Even after Alexander's death, Egypt remained under the military leadership by one of his generals, Ptolemy I, who established a Ptolemaic dynasty that ruled Egypt for nearly 300 years and included the famous queen Cleopatra VII.

Why did Egyptians Welcome Alexander?

Alexander's campaign to conquer Egypt was one of the few conquests in his military history that went forward with no loss of life. It was a moment in time when military strength transitioned to diplomacy, vision, and mutual benefit; for the Egyptians, Alexander represented not just another foreign king but a man who respected the Egyptians' gods, traditions, and identity.

For Alexander, territory was not the only gain, he acquired legitimacy and spiritual authority. Alexander's founding of Alexandria, and his connection as a descendant of the god Amun, fortified the growth of his identity as more than just a conqueror into the legend we know of today.

Why Study Alexander the Great?

Alexander the Great is remembered not just for his conquest and span of land, but for the world he helped shape. His ambition, intellect, and military brilliance made him a complex and paradoxical symbol of greatness. He was a leader who had a vision regardless of borders, and he created a synthesis of cultures long before anyone considered globalization.

If you have an interest in ancient history, leadership, or the rise and fall of empires, the narrative of Alexander provides a riveting instance of power, ambition, and legacy. And his name continues to entice us, illustrating how one individual can so dramatically alter the direction of human history.

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