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3) Significant events in Alexander’s life - Coggle Diagram
3) Significant events in Alexander’s life
The murder of Philip and the differing interpretations of the events surrounding it
The Burning of Persepolis
Plutarch's account
Alexander captured city and had a massive party
Female companion (probably a consort - part of Alexander's war party) suggested burning down city would be a good idea
Alexander set's fire to the city, decides that this is a bad decision and orders the fire to be extinguished
Arrian's account
Alexander captures city and plunders riches
Vengeance for burning of temple of Cybele, Alexander burnt city to the ground
Arrian viewed this to be an unwise decision on these very ancient Persians
Parmenio had advised him to keep the city safe
the murder of Cleitus
the mass marriages at Susa
329 BCE. Wedding ceremony
Intended by Alexander to symbolically unite Persia and Macedonian races
Alexander took 2 Persian wives (Barsine + Parysatis - barsine was the daughter of Darius, while Parysatis daughter of Artaxerxes III. Hephaestion married another daughter of Darius'). Celebrated wedding in Persian fashion with his officers, who also married nobles. 10000 Macedonians married. All had to register marriage. Alexander gave all couples a dowry.
Union not only symbolic - created mixed race of rulers
Alexander’s death and the differing explanations of the events surrounding it
Plutarch 77 - conspiracy theories
Aristotle told Antipater to poison Alexander
Considered to be false
Evidence is that body unattended in hot place and no sign of drugs
Aftermath
Roxana pregnant at the time. Jealous of Barsine so tricks her and kills her with help of Perdiccas
Perdiccas accompanied by Arrhidaeus as he is half brother of Alexander. mind ruined by drugs given to him by Olympias in his youth ALLEGEDLY.
Empire split upon his death
Worshipped as god for many years, particularly in Ionia.
Philosophers spread out across empire, so when dark ages hit, influence from philosphers in middle east took over. Descended from teachings of Alexander Era philosophers.
Military tactics studied and admired since. Hannibal felt bad because he couldn't do what Alexander had (defeat larger enemy). Caesar and Augustus compared themselves to Alexander.
Successors to Alexander had to compare/relate themselves to him. Coins from Ptolemy's Egypt bear his face.
Alexander becomes king of Persia
Usual practice was to employ local figurre heads but ensure power still lay with Macedonians
After the battle of Gaugamela, one of Darius' commanbders fled to Babylon, surrendered city to Alexander. He was soon appointed Satrap (Alexander also installed a Macedonian garrison in the city)
Abulites established as Satrap of Susa.
Native satraps less than successful - ten were removed for commiting murder, treason or just sheer incompetence.
Bessus declared himself Artaxerxes 5 of Persia and retreats to satrapy of Bactria and Sogdana in the north
May have adopted Persian dress at this point to visually emphasise claim to the throne.
Diodorus Siculus 17.77 (
NOT ON SPEC
)
Began to imitate Persian luxury
Appointed brother of Darius III as guard, along with other nobles
Wore Persian Diadem and dress
Dressed horses in Persian harness
Added concubines to palace
CUSTOMS ONLY SOMETIMES EMPLOYED TO AVOID UPSET TO MACEDONIANS
Installed asiatic ushers to court, as well as other nobles
Treatment of leading Persians
Frequently appointed leading Persians as satraps/local figureheads. Often under Macedonian supervision
Native satraps not very successful
Alexander was not the first Macedonian to adopt Persian customs
Other had had multicoloured tunics, + diadems long before Alexander. He actually dressed moderately compared to them
Macedonian's didn't like his self-deification.
August 330. Hyrcanian campaign. Commanders Craterus and Coenus of phalanx defeat tribes of Elburz
Exiles Decree
August 324 BCE Greek Mercs fighting for Alexander told they can now return home, even if they were exiled. Exiles delighted, but cities not. League of Corinth does not think Alexander has the power to do this.Athens revolts
Historians think this uproar was intentional, crafted so Alexander can invade Athens. Others suggest he did to stretch league of Corinth, prove he held the power now.
Deification decree
Early 323 BCE
Leaders of Athens discussed whether to worship Alexander as a god. Historians think Alexander offered this up for consideration, but no evidence of this. Highly significant