Alexander the Great

Conquests of Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great or Alexander III of Macedon is widely regarded as a legendary historical figure, and one of the greatest leaders that ever lived. Alexander became king of Macedonia at 21 years old after his father, Phillip II was killed. He attained his first victory (at the risk of his life) against the Persian Empire called the Battle of Issus. Despite being outnumbered Alexander’s forces defeated the Persians and by 332 BCE, as well as gaining control over Egypt, Palestine and Syria. Within that time Alexander became Pharaoh of Egypt and founded the famous Egyptian city, Alexandria.

The defeat of the Persian Empire allowed Alexander the Great to advance into the Susa and Persepolis the Persian capitals. There he commandeered the treasuries in the capitals and conspired with one of King Darius III men to murder him. This plan ultimately resulted in Alexander acquiring the prestigious title of Great King of Persia in 330 BCE.

Alexander’s military and political skills were outstanding. However, the biggest flaw in his continual conquests, particularly in Central Asia and India, was driving his soldiers to extreme exhaustion. Despite trying to motivate his men to persevere and defeat the war elephants that were used to fight Alexander’s army, they would succumb to fatigue. Which resulted in the great leader to retreat to Babylon so his soldiers could rest.

The constant conquests were beneficial to Alexander the Great as his campaign led to establishing the biggest and most iconic Empire in history called the Achaemenid kingdom. The empire overshadowed nearly all of Europe and major parts of Asia. Alexander molded the Achaemenid Empire into his image, which differed from most conquerors who just would just destroy it. By marrying into the Persian royal family, enhancing the trade and tolerant policies, and making Babylon the capital of Achaemenid Empire. The actions linked the various conquered regions together to make the empire whole.

Equiano stands as a prolific abolitionist due to being a member of the 12 “Sons of Africa”, and one of the motivations of his autobiography was condemning the Atlantic Slave-trade and have readers see it as a sadistic foundation. (Equiano). His work is revolutionary because Equiano traces the realism and carnage of sailing on a slave ship across the Atlantic Ocean; as well as visiting various cultures and witnessing the different treatments to slaves in order to present an accurate interpretation on the dynamic of slavery. Slave trade was a focal point of the colonial period with a long history that spans over 400 years. The background of the literature is the abundance of eloquent social intuition that illuminates the appraisal of American history and identity. The early publications by Black writers addressed complicated affairs of power and voice in colonial America and industrial Britain. The Colonial period itself originates from the establishment of Jamestown leading into the decade preceding the American Revolution.

Following Alexander’s death, the Macedonian generals were the successors to his legacy due to his son being killed. The successors were generals named Antigonus of Greece and Asia Minor, Lyshmachus of Thrace, Ptolemy of Egypt, and Cassander of Macedonia and Seleucus. The four generals turned kings founded cities and initiated the start of the Hellenistic civilization with a pro-Greek foundation. Cassander would rule Macedon until his death. Antigonus became the undisputed king after a struggle for hold over Macedon ensued between him, Pyrrhus, Lysimachus and others. He restored the kingdom economically and reset Macedonian hegemony. Overall, Alexander the Great as well as his successors will forever stand as prominent figures in history through the tenacity and opportunistic skills that led to creation of the greatest empire in the world.