We wont send you spam. The audio, illustrations, photos, and videos are credited beneath the media asset, except for promotional images, which generally link to another page that contains the media credit. Meanwhile, Darius with his Grand Army had advanced northward on the eastern side of Mount Amanus. He at once executed the princes of Lyncestis, alleged to be behind Philips murder, along with all possible rivals and the whole of the faction opposed to him. At Susa Alexander held a feast to celebrate the seizure of the Persian empire, at which, in furtherance of his policy of fusing Macedonians and Persians into one master race, he and 80 of his officers took Persian wives; he and Hephaestion married Dariuss daughters Barsine (also called Stateira) and Drypetis, respectively, and 10,000 of his soldiers with native wives were given generous dowries. Alexander appointed the general Antipater as regent and headed for Persia with his army. Through his military prowess, Alexander would start his global conquest by finishing the job that his father was never able to complete. The versatile force included cavalry and heavily armed foot soldiers, who wielded spears and formed a phalanx, advancing relentlessly behind raised shields. But in pitched battle the striking force was the cavalry, and the core of the army, should the issue still remain undecided after the cavalry charge, was the infantry phalanx, 9,000 strong, armed with 13-foot spears and shields, and the 3,000 men of the royal battalions, the hypaspists. Philip II was an impressive military man in his own right. As a teenager, Alexander became known for his exploits on the battlefield. He subdued Bactria (in modern-day Afghanistan) and wed Roxana, the daughter of a Bactrian chief. After conquering Egypt, Alexander faced Darius and his massive troops at Gaugamela in October 331 B.C. The son of a king, Alexander was a brilliant military leader who conquered most of the known world, but he wasn't much of a diplomat. Ancient History Encyclopedia.Alexander the Great. In summer 324 Alexander attempted to solve another problem, that of the wandering mercenaries, of whom there were thousands in Asia and Greece, many of them political exiles from their own cities. It was Aristotle who taught Alexander the importance of being knowledgeable and cultured. (2023 Updated), Does Kroger Take Apple Pay? Create a personalized profile and stay informed with tailored email notifications. This discontent was now fanned by the arrival of 30,000 native youths who had received a Macedonian military training and by the introduction of Asian peoples from Bactria, Sogdiana, Arachosia, and other parts of the empire into the Companion cavalry; whether Asians had previously served with the Companions is uncertain, but if so they must have formed separate squadrons. 33 Facts About Alexander the Great and Common Questions about Him To ensure that her son would claim the throne, Roxana killed both of Alexanders other wives and their children. Alexander the Great: Facts, biography and accomplishments Alexander the Great is the picturesque example of a hero and served as the historical inspiration behind hundreds of hero types in ancient Greek tales and many modern protagonists. Meanwhile, a rumour of his death had precipitated a revolt of Theban democrats; other Greek states favoured Thebes, and the Athenians, urged on by Demosthenes, voted help.