Alexander the Great - Revision history

Irlandos at 12:58, May 31, 2007

2007-05-31T12:58:07Z

Irlandos: /* Alexander's marriages and sexuality */

2007-05-01T12:11:45Z

Alexander's marriages and sexuality

Irlandos: /* Cavalry */

2007-05-01T12:06:59Z

Cavalry

Irlandos at 12:06, May 1, 2007

2007-05-01T12:06:13Z

Irlandos at 12:04, May 1, 2007

2007-05-01T12:04:55Z

Irlandos: /* Alexander's marriages and sexuality */

2007-05-01T12:00:50Z

Alexander's marriages and sexuality

Irlandos: /* Infantry */

2007-02-03T10:01:27Z

Infantry

Irlandos: /* Infantry */

2007-02-03T10:00:14Z

Infantry

Irlandos: /* Main towns founded by Alexander */

2007-02-03T09:57:56Z

Main towns founded by Alexander

Irlandos at 09:57, February 3, 2007

2007-02-03T09:57:19Z

Show changes

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-'''Alexandros III Philippou Makedonon''' ([[July 10]], [[356 BC]]&ndash;[[June 11]], [[323 BC]]), commonly known in the West as '''Alexander the Great''' or '''Alexander III of Macedon''', in [[Greek language|Greek]] '''Μέγας Αλέξανδρος''' (''Megas Alexandros''), King of [[Macedon]] ([[336 BC]]-[[323 BC]]), was arguably the most successful military commander of ancient history, conquering most of the known world before his death.  The name 'Alexander' derives from the [[Greek language|Greek]] words "alexo" (αλέξω, refuge, defense, protection) and "aner" (ανήρ, man) - "defender of man". Alexander is known in Middle Persian literature as '''Alexander the Cursed''' due to his destruction of the Persian Empire and its capital Persepolis.  He is also known in Eastern traditions as '''Dhul-Qarnayn''' (the two-horned one), because an image on coins minted during his rule seemed to depict him with the two ram's horns of the Egyptian god Ammon (it is believed by historians that the Dhul-Qarnayn mentioned in the Qur'an is Alexander). In north-east India and modern-day Pakistan he is known as Sikander-e-Azam (Alexander the Great) and many male children are named Sikander after him.
+'''Alexandros III Philippou Makedonon''' ([[July 10]], [[356 BC]]&ndash;[[June 11]], [[323 BC]]), commonly known in the West as '''Alexander the Great''' or '''Alexander III of Macedon''', in [[Greek language|Greek]] '''Μέγας Αλέξανδρος''' (''Megas Alexandros''), King of [[Macedon]] ([[336 BC]]-[[323 BC]]), was arguably the most successful military commander of ancient history, conquering most of the known world before his death.  The name 'Alexander' derives from the [[Greek language|Greek]] words "alexo" (αλέξω, refuge, defense, protection) and "aner" (ανήρ, man) - "defender of man".
 Following the unification of the multiple city-states of [[Ancient Greece]] under the rule of his father, [[Philip II of Macedon]], (a labor Alexander had to repeat - twice - because the southern Greeks rebelled after Philip's death), Alexander conquered the Persian Empire, including [[Anatolia]], Syria, Phoenicia, Gaza, Egypt, Bactria and Mesopotamia and extended the boundaries of his own empire as far as the Punjab. Alexander integrated non-Greeks into his army and administration, leading some scholars to credit him with a “policy of fusion.” He encouraged marriage between Greeks and non-Greeks, and practiced it himself. This was extremely unusual for the ancient world. After twelve years of constant military campaigning, Alexander died, possibly of malaria, typhoid or a viral encephalitis. His conquests ushered in centuries of Greco-Macedonian settlement and rule over non-Greek areas, a period known as the [[Hellenistic Greece|Hellenistic Age]]. Alexander himself lived on in the history and myth of both Greek and non-Greek peoples.  Already during his lifetime, and especially after his death, his exploits inspired a literary tradition in which he appears as a towering legendary hero in the tradition of [[Achilles]].
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 Alexander had a legendary horse named [[Bucephalus]] (meaning "ox-headed"), supposedly descended from the [[Mares of Diomedes]]. Alexander himself, while still a young boy, tamed this horse after experienced horse-trainers failed to do so.
 ==Ancient sources==

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:11, May 1, 2007
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	To whet his appetite for the fairer sex, King Philip and Olympias brought in a high-priced [[Thessaly\|Thessalian]] courtesan named Callixena.		To whet his appetite for the fairer sex, King Philip and Olympias brought in a high-priced [[Thessaly\|Thessalian]] courtesan named Callixena.

−	Later in life, Alexander married several princesses of former Persian territories: [[Roxana]] of Bactria; [[Statira]], daughter of Darius III; and [[Parysatis]], daughter of Ochus. He fathered one child, [[Alexander IV of Macedon]], by Roxana shortly before his death in [[323 BC]]; some historians have also claimed that in [[327 BC]] he had a son ( [[Heracles (Macedon)\|Heracles]] ) by [[Barsine]], the daughter of satrap Artabazus of Phrygia, but that relationship has never been verified.	+	Later in life, Alexander married several princesses of former Persian territories: [[Roxana]] of Bactria; [[Stateira II\|Statira]], daughter of Darius III; and [[Parysatis]], daughter of Ochus. He fathered one child, [[Alexander IV of Macedon]], by Roxana shortly before his death in [[323 BC]]; some historians have also claimed that in [[327 BC]] he had a son ( [[Heracles (Macedon)\|Heracles]] ) by [[Barsine]], the daughter of satrap Artabazus of Phrygia, but that relationship has never been verified.

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 ===Cavalry===
-The heavy cavalry included the "Companion cavalry," raised from the Macedonian nobility, and the Thessalian cavalry. The Companion cavalry (''hetairoi'', friends) was divided into eight squadrons called ''ile'', 200 strong, except the Royal Squadron of 300. They were equipped with a 12-14 foot lance, the ''xyston'', and heavy body armor. The horses were partially clad in armor as well. The riders did not carry shields. The organization of the Thessalian cavalry was similar to the Companion Cavalry, but they had a shorter spear and fought in a looser formation.
+The heavy cavalry included the "[[Companion cavalry]]," raised from the Macedonian nobility, and the Thessalian cavalry. The Companion cavalry (''hetairoi'', friends) was divided into eight squadrons called ''ile'', 200 strong, except the Royal Squadron of 300. They were equipped with a 12-14 foot lance, the ''xyston'', and heavy body armor. The horses were partially clad in armor as well. The riders did not carry shields. The organization of the Thessalian cavalry was similar to the Companion Cavalry, but they had a shorter spear and fought in a looser formation.
 Of light cavalry, the ''prodomoi'' (runners) secured the wings of the army during battle and went on reconnaissance missions. Several hundred allied horse rounded out the cavalry, but were inferior to the rest.

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:06, May 1, 2007
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	[[Category:323 BC deaths]]		[[Category:323 BC deaths]]
	[[Category:Ancient Greeks]]		[[Category:Ancient Greeks]]
		+	[[Category:Macedonian monarchs]]
		+	[[Category:Alexander the Great]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:04, May 1, 2007
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−	'''Alexandros III Philippou Makedonon''' ([[July 10]], [[356 BC]]–[[June 11]], [[323 BC]]), commonly known in the West as '''Alexander the Great''' or '''Alexander III of Macedon''', in [[Greek language\|Greek]] '''Μέγας Αλέξανδρος''' (''Megas Alexandros''), King of [[Macedon]] ([[336 BC]]-[[323 BC]]), was arguably the most successful military commander of ancient history, conquering most of the known world before his death. Alexander is known in Middle Persian literature as '''Alexander the Cursed''' due to his destruction of the Persian Empire and its capital Persepolis. He is also known in Eastern traditions as '''Dhul-Qarnayn''' (the two-horned one), because an image on coins minted during his rule seemed to depict him with the two ram's horns of the Egyptian god Ammon (it is believed by historians that the Dhul-Qarnayn mentioned in the Qur'an is Alexander). In north-east India and modern-day Pakistan he is known as Sikander-e-Azam (Alexander the Great) and many male children are named Sikander after him.	+	'''Alexandros III Philippou Makedonon''' ([[July 10]], [[356 BC]]–[[June 11]], [[323 BC]]), commonly known in the West as '''Alexander the Great''' or '''Alexander III of Macedon''', in [[Greek language\|Greek]] '''Μέγας Αλέξανδρος''' (''Megas Alexandros''), King of [[Macedon]] ([[336 BC]]-[[323 BC]]), was arguably the most successful military commander of ancient history, conquering most of the known world before his death. The name 'Alexander' derives from the [[Greek language\|Greek]] words "alexo" (αλέξω, refuge, defense, protection) and "aner" (ανήρ, man) - "defender of man". Alexander is known in Middle Persian literature as '''Alexander the Cursed''' due to his destruction of the Persian Empire and its capital Persepolis. He is also known in Eastern traditions as '''Dhul-Qarnayn''' (the two-horned one), because an image on coins minted during his rule seemed to depict him with the two ram's horns of the Egyptian god Ammon (it is believed by historians that the Dhul-Qarnayn mentioned in the Qur'an is Alexander). In north-east India and modern-day Pakistan he is known as Sikander-e-Azam (Alexander the Great) and many male children are named Sikander after him.

	Following the unification of the multiple city-states of [[Ancient Greece]] under the rule of his father, [[Philip II of Macedon]], (a labor Alexander had to repeat - twice - because the southern Greeks rebelled after Philip's death), Alexander conquered the Persian Empire, including [[Anatolia]], Syria, Phoenicia, Gaza, Egypt, Bactria and Mesopotamia and extended the boundaries of his own empire as far as the Punjab. Alexander integrated non-Greeks into his army and administration, leading some scholars to credit him with a “policy of fusion.” He encouraged marriage between Greeks and non-Greeks, and practiced it himself. This was extremely unusual for the ancient world. After twelve years of constant military campaigning, Alexander died, possibly of malaria, typhoid or a viral encephalitis. His conquests ushered in centuries of Greco-Macedonian settlement and rule over non-Greek areas, a period known as the [[Hellenistic Greece\|Hellenistic Age]]. Alexander himself lived on in the history and myth of both Greek and non-Greek peoples. Already during his lifetime, and especially after his death, his exploits inspired a literary tradition in which he appears as a towering legendary hero in the tradition of [[Achilles]].		Following the unification of the multiple city-states of [[Ancient Greece]] under the rule of his father, [[Philip II of Macedon]], (a labor Alexander had to repeat - twice - because the southern Greeks rebelled after Philip's death), Alexander conquered the Persian Empire, including [[Anatolia]], Syria, Phoenicia, Gaza, Egypt, Bactria and Mesopotamia and extended the boundaries of his own empire as far as the Punjab. Alexander integrated non-Greeks into his army and administration, leading some scholars to credit him with a “policy of fusion.” He encouraged marriage between Greeks and non-Greeks, and practiced it himself. This was extremely unusual for the ancient world. After twelve years of constant military campaigning, Alexander died, possibly of malaria, typhoid or a viral encephalitis. His conquests ushered in centuries of Greco-Macedonian settlement and rule over non-Greek areas, a period known as the [[Hellenistic Greece\|Hellenistic Age]]. Alexander himself lived on in the history and myth of both Greek and non-Greek peoples. Already during his lifetime, and especially after his death, his exploits inspired a literary tradition in which he appears as a towering legendary hero in the tradition of [[Achilles]].

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:00, May 1, 2007
Line 63:		Line 63:
	To whet his appetite for the fairer sex, King Philip and Olympias brought in a high-priced [[Thessaly\|Thessalian]] courtesan named Callixena.		To whet his appetite for the fairer sex, King Philip and Olympias brought in a high-priced [[Thessaly\|Thessalian]] courtesan named Callixena.

−	Later in life, Alexander married several princesses of former Persian territories: [[Roxana]] of [[Bactria]]; [[Statira]], daughter of Darius III; and [[Parysatis]], daughter of Ochus. He fathered one child, [[Alexander IV of Macedon]], by Roxana shortly before his death in [[323 BC]]; some historians have also claimed that in [[327 BC]] he had a son ( [[Heracles (Macedon)\|Heracles]] ) by Barsine, the daughter of satrap Artabazus of Phrygia, but that relationship has never been verified.	+	Later in life, Alexander married several princesses of former Persian territories: [[Roxana]] of Bactria; [[Statira]], daughter of Darius III; and [[Parysatis]], daughter of Ochus. He fathered one child, [[Alexander IV of Macedon]], by Roxana shortly before his death in [[323 BC]]; some historians have also claimed that in [[327 BC]] he had a son ( [[Heracles (Macedon)\|Heracles]] ) by [[Barsine]], the daughter of satrap Artabazus of Phrygia, but that relationship has never been verified.

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 ===Infantry===
-The main infantry corps was the [[Macedonia phalanx|phalanx]], composed of six regiments (''taxies'') numbering about 2000 phalangites each. Each soldier had a long pike called a ''[[sarissa]]'', which was up to 18 feet long, and a short sword. For protection the soldier wore a Phrygian-style helmet and a shield. [[Arrian]] mentions large shields (the ''aspis'') but this is disputed; it is difficult to wield both a large pike and a large shield at the same time. Many modern historians claim the [[phalanx]] used a smaller shield, called a ''pelta'', the shield used by peltasts. It is unclear whether the phalanx used body armor, but heavy body armor is mentioned in Arrian (1.28.7) and other ancient sources. Modern historians believe most of the phalangites did not wear heavy body armor at the time of Alexander.
+The main infantry corps was the [[Macedonian phalanx|phalanx]], composed of six regiments (''taxies'') numbering about 2000 phalangites each. Each soldier had a long pike called a ''[[sarissa]]'', which was up to 18 feet long, and a short sword. For protection the soldier wore a Phrygian-style helmet and a shield. [[Arrian]] mentions large shields (the ''aspis'') but this is disputed; it is difficult to wield both a large pike and a large shield at the same time. Many modern historians claim the [[Macedonian phalanx|phalanx]] used a smaller shield, called a ''pelta'', the shield used by peltasts. It is unclear whether the phalanx used body armor, but heavy body armor is mentioned in Arrian (1.28.7) and other ancient sources. Modern historians believe most of the phalangites did not wear heavy body armor at the time of Alexander.
 Another important unit were the [[hypaspist]]s (shield bearers), arranged into three battalions (''[[lochoi]]'') of 1,000 men each. One of the battalions was named the ''[[Agema]]'' and served as the King's bodyguards. Their armament is unknown; it is difficult to get a clear picture from ancient sources. Sometimes hypaspists are mentioned in the front line of the battle just between the phalanx and the heavy cavalry and seem to have acted as an extension of the phalanx fighting as heavy infantry while keeping a link between the heavily clad phalangites and the companion cavalry, but they also accompanied Alexander on flanking marches and were capable of fighting on rough terrain like light troops so it seems they could perform dual functions.

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 * [[Alexandria Eschate|Alexandria Eschate, "The furthest"]], Tajikistan
 * Alexandretta (Iskenderun), Turkey
-* Alexandropolis (Kandahar), [[Afghanistan]]
+* Alexandropolis (Kandahar), Afghanistan
 ==Alexander in popular media==