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__NOTOC__[[File:1200px-Alexander_the_Great_mosaic.jpg|thumbnail|left|300px250px|Alexander the Great]]In the public's mind, few well known conquerors in history match the exploits of Alexander the Great. In just a few years, from 334-330 BC, Alexander would go on to conquer the largest empire the world had known and establish his own empire that eventually stretched from Greece to India. Furthermore, Alexander began a process where Greek culture began to intermix with ancient Near Eastern, Egyptian, Central Asian, and Indian cultures that influenced much of the Old World for many centuries. The exchange of ideas and trade brought about an era of unprecedented prosperity and knowledge that advanced the ancient world's sciences and led to many discoveries that would not be replicated until the Renaissance in the 15 or 16th century AD. What is remarkable is he achieved all of this by the age of 32 at the time of his death in Babylon. However, the root of all the social change that would eventually influence Europe, the Near East, Egypt, and much of Asia rested in his ability to conquer a lot of territory and doing it quickly. The question is how did he do this?__NOTOC__

====Initial Conquests====[[File:Alexandermosaic.jpg|thumbnail|left|275px|Figure 1. A mosaic showing Alexander attacking Darius III and his center line at In the public's mind, few well-known conquerors in history match the battle exploits of Issus.]]Alexander took power after the death of his fatherGreat. In just a few years, Philip II of Macedonfrom 334-330 BC, who Alexander would conquer the largest empire the world had already planned known and establish his empire that eventually stretched from Greece to invade the PersianIndia. Furthermore, Achaemenid Empire.<ref>For more on Alexander's father and his plans of conquestsbegan a process where Greek culture began to intermix with ancient Near Eastern, see: CarneyEgyptian, Elizabeth DonnellyCentral Asian, and Daniel Ogden, eds. 2010. Philip II and Alexander Indian cultures that influenced much of the Great: Father and Son, Lives and Afterlives. Oxford ; New York: Oxford University Press.</ref> His first battles were in Greece and the Balkans, where he consolidated his power while suppressing several revoltsOld World for many centuries.

Shortly after crossing into Asia Minor in 334 BC with perhaps 30,000-50,000 troops, Alexander quickly won his first major battle at Granicus.<ref>For more on this battle, see: Matthews, Rupert. 2008. Alexander the Great at the Battle The exchange of Granicus. Stroud: Spellmount.</ref> This victory allowed him to take the western half ideas and trade brought about an era of Asia Minor. After a few sieges unprecedented prosperity and taking knowledge that advanced the city of Sardis, one of ancient world's sciences. It led to many discoveries that would not be replicated until the most important cities Renaissance in Asia Minor, the 15 or 16th century AD. What is remarkable is he proceeded toward Syria where he encountered achieved all of this by the Persian King Darius III in 333 age of 32 at the battle time of Issushis death in Babylon.<ref> For more on However, the battle root of Issusall the social change that would eventually influence Europe, see: Delbrück, Hans. 1975. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0803265867/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0803265867&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=f94cfc51938674926b5abff31bc432d5 History of the Art of War]</i>. LincolnNear East, Neb: University of Nebraska Press/ Bison BookEgypt, pg. 191. </ref> This is the first major battle he had with the Persian king and once again Alexander proved his excellent strategic thinking by outflanking the Persian army through the use much of Asia rested in his cavalryability to conquer many territories and do it quickly. He made a direct attack on the Persian king's center lineThe question is, where how did he do this key moment in the battle became a famous Roman era mosaic found in Pompeii (Figure 1).?

====The Levant, Syria, and Egypt==What region did Alexander conquer first?==After the battle of Issus, [[File:Alexandermosaic.jpg|thumbnail|left|250px|Figure 1. A mosaic showing Alexander took the Levant and the coastal Mediterranean cities, which were important trading cities and had allowed the Achaemenids to derive much of their wealth and establish their navy, attacking Darius III and proceeded into Egypt. In Syria and the Levant, his only major encounters were centerline at the sieges battle of Tyre and Gaza in 332 BCIssus.<ref> For more on Alexander's campaigns in the Levant and Syria, see: Freeman, Philip. 2011. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1416592814/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1416592814&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=f5c583c6ae9445145f4140977f336b3f Alexander the Great]</i>. New York: Simon & Schuster, pg. 26. </ref> In Egypt, he was quickly accepted by the local population, as the Egyptians had revolted against the Achaemenids not long before Alexander and, therefore, saw this as an opportunity for new leadership. ]

Here, he became considered Alexander took power after the son death of Amunhis father, the chief Philip II of the Egyptian pantheon, further exalting him in the eyes of his new subjects. Alexander also began the process of founding citiesMacedon, who had already planned to invade the most famous of which was Alexandria. It's position along the Mediterranean reflects a key changePersian, where Egypt and the eastern Mediterranean worlds would be more strongly integrated in culture and trade in the centuries to comeAchaemenid Empire.<ref> For more on Alexander's time in Egyptfather and his plans of conquests, see: BowmanCarney, Elizabeth Donnelly, Alan Kand Daniel Ogden, eds. 19962010. [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/05202053160199738157/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=05202053160199738157&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=b3b436dd2cc5146e4b70f06b8ab1d48b Egypt after 40e1c4808c9befad6d185d849b70849b Philip II and Alexander the PharaohsGreat: 332 BC-AD 642Father and Son, Lives and Afterlives] . Oxford ; from Alexander to the Arab Conquest. 2. paperback printing. Berkeley, Calif.New York: Univ. of California Oxford University Press, pg. 22</ref> That was Alexander's intention from His first battles were Greece and the outsetBalkans, showing that where he likely had long-term, strategic thinking about the nature and future of his conquered lands long after consolidated his own timepower while suppressing several revolts.

Shortly after crossing into Asia Minor in 334 BC with perhaps 30,000-50,000 troops, Alexander quickly won his first major battle at Granicus.<ref>For more on this battle, see: Matthews, Rupert. 2008. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1862274487/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=Battle of Gaugamela and Fall of the Achaemenids9325&creativeASIN=1862274487&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=[[File5cd69acbd10c5367b89300d97a9862e7 Alexander the Great at the Battle of Granicus]</i>. Stroud:MacedonEmpireSpellmount.jpg|left|thumbnail|Figure 2</ref> This victory allowed him to take the western half of Asia Minor. The extent After a few sieges and taking Sardis, one of Alexander's empire after his wars with the Persians, most important cities in Central AsiaMinor, and Indiahe proceeded toward Syria. He encountered the Persian King Darius III in 333 at Issus's battle.]]The Achaemenids perhaps had one <ref> For more great chance to defeat Alexander at on the battle of Gaugamela near modern day Erbil. ThereIssus, once again Alexander's tactics proved decisive where his forces formed a wedge-shaped attack that then tore into Darius' centersee Delbrück, causing the king to likely flee the battleHans. 1975. <i>[https://www.amazon. With this battle secure, all com/gp/product/0803265867/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0803265867&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=f94cfc51938674926b5abff31bc432d5 History of Mesopotamia fell to Alexander and the great city Art of Babylon was entered by Alexander without any need for combatWar]</i>. It is at Babylon that Alexander perhaps decided he would make the city his new capital Lincoln, Neb: University of his now vast empireNebraska Press/ Bison Book, as it would unit the Greek and Near Eastern worlds more closelypg. 191. Alexander then went on to take Susa, </ref> This is the old capital of first major battle he had with the PersiansPersian king, and then the ceremonial capital of Persepolisonce again, which was at least partially burned most likely Alexander proved his excellent strategic thinking by Alexanderoutflanking the Persian army through his cavalry. He made a direct attack on the Persian king's troopscenterline, where this key moment in the battle became a famous Roman-era mosaic found in Pompeii (Figure 1).

Only one more major battle was fought against ==How did Alexander conquer the Persians at Levant, Syria, and Egypt?==After the battle of the Persian GatesIssus, a strategic crossing.<ref>For more on Alexander took the Battles of Gaugamela Levant and Alexander's later battles against the Persianscoastal Mediterranean cities, see: Wilckenwhich were important trading cities and allowed the Achaemenids to derive much of their wealth, Ulrichestablish their navy, and Eugene Nproceed into Egypt. Borza. 1967. Alexander In Syria and the Great. Norton Library. New York: NortonLevant, pg. 60. </ref> After this, Darius III was killed by one of his own generals and Achaemenid factions continued to lead a guerilla style war against Alexander, although they squabbled between themselves over the remains of their empire. This led Alexander to easily reach Central Asia with only minor resistance, where he founded many cities along the way that gained importance during the rise of the Silk Road. This included major encounters were the city sieges of Kandhar in Afghanistan Tyre and eventually reaching Tajikistan, almost near the edge of Tibet. His wars continued Gaza in Central Asia and India, where he initially encountered major resistance332 BC.<ref> For more on Alexander's campaigns in Central Asia the Levant and IndiaSyria, see: RoyFreeman, KaushikPhilip. 20042011. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/81782410991416592814/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=81782410991416592814&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=912065039072f879b4b3dfdca7da078a India’s Historic Battles: From f5c583c6ae9445145f4140977f336b3f Alexander the Great to Kargil]</i>. Delhi New York: Bangalore: Permanent Black ; Distributed by Orient LongmanSimon & Schuster, pg. 2926. </ref> In Egypt, he was quickly accepted by the local population, as the Egyptians had revolted against the Achaemenids not long before Alexander and, therefore, saw this as an opportunity for new leadership.

AlexanderHere, he became considered Amun's battles were son, the first where European armies had encountered war elephantschief of the Egyptian pantheon, which likely caused great fear further exalting him in his army before eventually overcoming them in battlenew subjects' eyes. NeverthelessAlexander also began the process of founding cities, the difficulty most famous of long campaigning which was Alexandria. Its position along the Mediterranean reflects a key change, where Egypt and the eastern Mediterranean worlds would be more strongly integrated into culture and undoubtedly loss of many men led trade in the centuries to his men tiring of battle and eventually forcing come.<ref> For more on Alexander's time in Egypt, Bowman, Alan K. 1996. [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0520205316/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0520205316&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=b3b436dd2cc5146e4b70f06b8ab1d48b Egypt after the Pharaohs: 332 BC-AD 642] ; from Alexander to pull his forces backthe Arab Conquest. 2. paperback printing. Berkeley, Calif.: Univ. of California Press, eventually reaching once again Babylonpg. By 22</ref> That was Alexander's intention from the time Alexander finished campaigningoutset, showing that he likely had created long-term, strategic thinking about the first empire that connected Europe with Central Asia (Figure 2)nature and future of his conquered lands long after his own time.

====Why Was He Successful==What was the Battle of Gaugamela? ==Clearly [[File:MacedonEmpire.jpg|left|thumbnail|250px|Figure 2. The extent of Alexander's success lies in empire after his military genius wars with the Persians, in knowing how Central Asia, and India.]]The Achaemenids perhaps had one more great chance to use his cavalry and troops precisely defeat Alexander at key moments in Gaugamela's battlenear modern-day Erbil. Several times it seemed he was close to defeat but was able to use the situation to Once again, Alexander's tactics proved decisive where his advantage by luring his enemies forces formed a wedge-shaped attack that then tore into a deeper trap. FurthermoreDarius' center, his troops were well trained in holding their positions and not panicking in causing the king to flee the battlelikely.<ref> For more on the With this battle tactics secure, all of Mesopotamia fell to Alexander, see: Boseand Alexander entered Babylon's great city without any need for combat. At Babylon, Partha Sarathi. 2004. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FJ16XNM/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B01FJ16XNM&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=641707a6856af1049e12d1340ff7334f Alexander perhaps decided he would make the Great’s Art city the new capital of Strategy: Lessons from his now vast empire, as it would unite the Great Empire Builder]</i>Greek and Near Eastern worlds more closely. London: Profile.</ref> HoweverAlexander then went on to take Susa, a lot the old capital of the success had little to do with Alexander but Persians, and then the nature ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid EmpirePersepolis, which was at least partially burned most likely by Alexander's troops.

Only one more major battle was fought against the Persians at the Persian Gates battle, a strategic crossing.<ref>For More on the Battles of Gaugamela and Alexander's later battles against the Persians, see: Wilcken, Ulrich, and Eugene N. Borza. 1967. Alexander the Great. Norton Library. New York: Norton, pg. 60. </ref> After this, Darius III was killed by one of his generals, and Achaemenid factions continued to lead a guerilla-style war against Alexander. However, they squabbled between themselves over the remains of their empire.  ==What was the Fall of the Achaemenids?== This division allowed Alexander to reach Central Asia with only minor resistance easily. He founded many cities along the way that gained importance during the rise of the Silk Road. This included the city of Kandahar in Afghanistan and eventually reaching Tajikistan, almost near the edge of Tibet. His wars continued in Central Asia and India, where he initially encountered major resistance.<ref> For more on Alexander's campaigns in Central Asia and India, see: Roy, Kaushik. 2004. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/8178241099/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=8178241099&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=912065039072f879b4b3dfdca7da078a India’s Historic Battles: From Alexander the Great to Kargil]</i>. Delhi : Bangalore: Permanent Black ; Distributed by Orient Longman, pg. 29</ref>  Alexander's battles were the first where European armies had encountered war elephants, which likely caused great fear in his army before eventually overcoming them in battle. Nevertheless, the difficulty of long campaigning and undoubtedly losing many men led to his men tiring of conflict and eventually forcing Alexander to pull his forces back, finally reaching once again Babylon. By the time Alexander finished campaigning, he had created the first empire that connected Europe with Central Asia (Figure 2). ==Why Was Alexander the Great Successful?==Alexander's success lay in his military genius, knowing how to use his cavalry and troops precisely at key moments in battle. It seemed he was close to defeat several times but could use the situation to his advantage by luring his enemies into a deeper trap. Furthermore, his troops were well trained in holding their positions and not panicking in battle.<ref> For more on the battle tactics of Alexander, see Bose, Partha Sarathi. 2004. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FJ16XNM/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B01FJ16XNM&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=641707a6856af1049e12d1340ff7334f Alexander the Great’s Art of Strategy: Lessons from the Great Empire Builder]</i>. London: Profile.</ref> However, a lot of the success had little to do with Alexander but the Achaemenid Empire's nature.  The Achaemenids were perhaps the most successful empire up to that point. They had succeeded in uniting a vast territory and genuinely integrating it into a cohesive realm that traded extensively and had well-maintained roads. The Achaemenid state was prosperous, and people had by then began to move and live in areas far from their homelands. The world, in essence, had become smaller thanks to many of their tolerant policies.  ==What was Alexander's legacy?==While it is true that Egypt and some other regions had revolted against them, many had benefited from the Achaemenids. Therefore, it is no wonder that Alexander marries Persian royalty and eventually takes on the regalia of the Achaemenid kings. This is also why he had planned for Babylon to be his new capital. It was one of the chief cities and capitals of the Achaemenid Empire despite being in Mesopotamia. Commerce had now become the glue that bound many regions, and Alexander understood this. This probably led to his men resenting Alexander's penchant for the Achaemenids, as the Greeks still held beliefs that the Persians were not on the same level as them.  While Alexander died perhaps before he could realize realizing his dream of a super empire, the east's benefits of the east became more apparent to his generals and men, where many . Many of them stayed after the wars. New Greek populations began to migrate to the Near East , and the process of mixing Hellenic and eastern cultures had begun, something that also brought started. The mixture of Greece and the Nearly mixed knowledge and created an integrated knowledge understanding that facilitated the rise of astronomy, physics, mathematics, and other scientific fields. Alexander's legacy lasted long after his death and his . His military success paved the way for the great tremendous Classical achievements that eventually became one of the foundations of the Renaissance and our modern Western world.

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