323 BCE: Alexander.27s Hellenistic Empire Middle-Eastern empires

the king of macedon, alexander iii, known alexander great, came throne in october 336 bce, aged 20. take control persian empire , cover territories of ancient world, far india. alexander remarkable person combined military genius , political vision of father philip ii of macedon, literary bent romanticism , taste adventure.

in less 2 years alexander secured greek , thracian borders , gathered army of 50,000 men assault on asia. in campaigns maintained considerable fleet of warships , supplies soldiers. him many scholars recorded alexander s discoveries , achievements far in east.

in 334 bce alexander fought battle make name, opposed army of persians holding advantageous position on steep banks of river granicus. unfamiliar tactics , brute strength of highly disciplined macedonian phalanx army, advancing heavy weapons, inflicted crushing defeat persian army, prompting disgraced persian commander commit suicide.

barely 6 months passed as, 1 one, of cities on west coast of anatolia taken alexander. winter came on, alexander headed lycia, southern anatolia. annexed of cities went through.

amazingly, persians until time had enjoyed largely unchallenged dominance on region, put little resistance. alexander left trusted lieutenants former persian satraps rule new conquests continued on relentless thrust edge of known world.

alexander s conquest of persia replaced achaemenids seleucids, absence of clear successor after untimely death , in-fighting inevitably followed, meant empire not long outlive him.