Monday, September 28, 2009
Monday Ground Up: The Legacy of Alexander the Great
Initially, Alexanders goals were to unify Greece by defeating the Persians, however during his 10 year reign, he was able to rebuild Greece and spread culture throughout the east.Alexander envisioned an extensive monarchy fusing Greeks, Macedonians, and the Persians into one ruling class. Of course, with the destruction of the Persian monarchy he was able to spread Greco-Macedonian rule over a larger area. This in itself created more opportunities for engineers, merchants, soldiers, and intellectuals. Although, it does seem that he had the idea to unify his newly won domain, he did so with the spreading of cultural ideals and language.
Alexanders adoptions of eastern cultures and his interest in spreading those ideals allowed his empire to become more diverse in literature, art, and architecture. Therefore the city-centers he had established were springboards for the diffusion of Greek culture.
His vision to form an extensive empire stressed the use of eastern cultures, tied into Grecian art and values, and was executed within the city states formed during his rule.
On his path to culturalization, he made the choice to push east, as far as India. On his way, he established his first series of cities in Alexander in Egypt and he used it as a Greek administrative capital which remains today, one of the most important cities in the Mediterranean world. Alexander added Persian treasures in Susa and Persipolis taking possession of gold and silver after the bloody battle in Gaugamela.
In 330 BC he marched into Pakistan and into the north western area of India where the Battle of Hydaspes River was brutally fought and won. After reaching India, his troops marched tirelessly through the jungles and he meets up with King Taxilus with whom he creates an alliance to defeat Porus.
When Alexander finally meets with Porus, he is faced with 200 elephants. There are hundreds of causalities and his troops are mutinied. He has finally decided to return to Babylon.
On the way back to Babylon, he convinces his army to go through the Gedrosian Desert because no one has before. He loses three quarters of his army and they are forced to kill the horses in order to drink their blood to quench their dying thirst. Alexander died shortly after returning to Babylon.
It wasn't until after the death of Alexander the Great that impact was felt on Western Civilization. His empire fell immediately considering it was too diverse and massive for the Macedonian monarchy to control. It was sectioned off piece by piece and given to his generals.
Greek city states that Alexander had founded were embedded with Greek cultures of the region. Therefore, the Eastern cultures influenced the Greeks, with the advent of mystery religions. The spreading of cultural ideals, arts, language, philosophy, and science is truly the legacy that Alexander left.
Art and Culture
Silver coin of Alexander, British Museum
A painting by Charles Le Brun depicting Alexander and Porus (Puru) during the Battle of the Hydaspes
The Alexander Sarcophagus is one of four massive carved sarcophagi, forming two pairs, that were discovered in the necropolis near Sidon, Lebanon in 1887.
Originally thought to have been the sarcophagus of Abdalonymus (died 311 BC), the king of Sidon appointed by Alexander immediately following the Battle of Issus.
More Resources and Links
At the time that Alexander the Great inherited the Macedonian throne democracy with varying degrees of popular participation and influence was practised or at least claimed to be operated in many Greek city-states. As will be examined Alexander the Great’s rule had an impact on the practice of democracy due to the various reasons and factors discussed. Read more about What Was the Impact of Alexander the Great’s Rule on the Practice of Democracy?
- McColl, L. Alexander's Macedonian Army, Clio History Journal, 2007.
- A Bibliography of Alexander the Great by Waldemar Heckel
- Alexander The Great in the French museum Le Louvre
- Alexander, The Great Mystery by T. Peter Limber in "Saudi Aramco Magazine"
- Trace Alexander's conquests on an animated map
- Alexander the Great of Macedon, a project by John J. Popovic
- Alexander in the Punjab. A Photo Essay, photos of all sites Alexander visited
- Alexander the Great Coins, a site depicting Alexander's coins and later coins featuring Alexander's image
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5 comments:
You might be interested to look up Josephus's version of Alexander's life. He mentioned a lot of the things that you spoke about, but with some differences. A lot of what he wrote is clearly fantasy, however. The best part is where he says that after India Alexander continued eastward, where he found the nation of Amazons. Yes, that's right, the fabled nation of woman warriors.
I love reading about Alexander
Another fascinating article, thanks.
Wait.
He did this in just 10 years??!!!
Jeez.
And, a belated Happy Birthday!
Another well written and interesting article.
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