With an army of just 47,000, he attacked the center of the Persian formation. On the open plains, Darius deployed the full force of his 100,000 soldiers. Gaugamela was located in northern Iraq, near present-day Arbil. The battle of Gaugamela, fought between Alexander and Darius III, was also a remarkable one. Several, including the first, Egyptian Alexandria, Iskandariya in Iraq, Kandahar (shortened from Iskandahar) in Afghanistan are still major cities. Several years after his death, many Alexandrias were flourishing, housing Greek as well as native population. The various Alexandrias were situated on important trade routes, or crucial defensive locations. Most of them were east of the Persian empire, but the first was founded in Egypt. 331 BC: Foundation of AlexandriaĪlexander founded over 20 cities by the name of Alexandria. The citizens of Tyre fought desperately till the end and after a seven-month siege, Alexander the Great conquered Tyre. The city of Tyre was renowned to be almost impregnable owing to its location, with mammoth surrounding walls, a fortified harbor and water all around. This battle once again proved Alexander’s tactical brilliance. In this battle, Parmenion led the Greek left while Alexander led the right, which held the Macedonian cavalry. In the battle of Issus, around 30,000 Greeks faced 100,000 Persians across the river Pinarus, near the town of Issus. He capably controlled the left flank of the Macedonian army. 338 BC: Battle of ChaeroneaĪt the age of eighteen, Alexander fought alongside his father at the battle of Chaeronea in which Philip II defeated the Athenians and Thebans. He named the horse Bucephalus and made him his trusted steed during his campaigns. King Philip II, impressed by his son’s bravery and capability, bought the horse as a gift for the young prince. When Alexander was 10, he tamed a horse that refused to be mounted by anyone else. Hephaestion, as his personal bodyguard, later became the commander of Companion cavalry in Alexander’s army. True to his admiration for Achilles, Alexander considered his friendship with Hephaestion like Achilles’ friendship with Patroclus. Alexander’s greatest emotional attachment was to his companion and childhood friend, Hephaestion. During this period, he successfully handled an uprising in Thrace, demonstrating the administrative capabilities that later made him one of the greatest rulers ever seen. At the age of 16, he was made Regent of Macedonia while Philip II was fighting the Persians. Records from famous historians say that Aristotle had personally annotated a copy of Homer’s Iliad for Alexander, which he kept with him throughout all his journeys. It is believed that during the early ages, he considered Achilles as his role model. He was also given the finest education in warfare and politics. He studied for three years under Aristotle. His father was King Philip II, who himself was known to be one of the best military commanders of the time. 356 B.C: Birth and ChildhoodĪlexander was born in Pella, the capital of ancient Macedonia. Here is a brief timeline that traces his life. Alexander was a truly remarkable leader with a rare combination of bravery, intellect, imagination and compassion.
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