Alexander Biography
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| Alexander The Great |
Alexander
the Great was one of the greatest generals in history. He overthrew the Persian
Empire and laid the foundations for the Hellenistic (One who uses the Greek
language but is not a Greek) world of territorial kingdoms. In the process he
became a legendary hero.
Alexander
was born in 356 BC at Pella in Macedonia. His father was King Philip-II. The
famous Greek philosopher Aristotle was Alexander’s teacher. He taught Alexander
from the age of 13 to 16. Alexander was inspired by Aristotle and became
interested in philosophy, medicine and science. He ascended the throne in 336
BC, liquidated (Put an end) potential rivals. In this way his political power
was amalgamated in Greece.
In 331
BC, Alexander advanced across Mesopotamia and occupied Babylon city and
province. In 330 BC, he marched north into Media and occupied its capital
Ecbatana. In the midsummer he set out on his campaign eastward to Central Asia.
There was no obstacle to Alexander’s claim to be ‘Great King’ after Darius’
death. A Rhodian inscription calls him ‘Lord of Asia’.
Alexander
set out to invade India in 326 BC. He conquered north-western frontier and
Punjab. Before Alexander’s invasion, north-western India presented a chaotic
picture. There was no political unity among the rulers. Only king Porus fought
the battle of Hydaspes (Jhelum) with Alexander. Other rulers submitted meekly.
Alexander founded two cities on the bank of Hydaspes—(i) Alexandria Nicaea (to
celebrate his victory) and (ii) Bucephala (named after one of his
favourite horses‘Bucephalus’, which died during a war there).
Then
Alexander tried to consolidate the empire thus won dealing with conflicts
between Macedonians and Persians. He thus attempted to solve the problem of
wandering mercenaries in summer 324 BC. He also desired to keep the Indian
territories under his rule. He divided the Indian territories into five Satraps
(provinces), each under a governor, Greek or Indian. The Greek settlements led
to the opening of several routes between India and the Mediterranean Sea. These
routes were later used for trade.
Greek
expedition advanced up to river Beas. But Alexander’s soldiers became war-weary
and disease stricken. They refused to go further. So he was forced to give the
retreat order. On their way back home, Greeks stopped at Babylon. There
Alexander was taken ill and 10 days later he died. It was 13thof June, 323 BC.
His body diverted to Egypt and was eventually placed in a golden coffin in
Alexandria.
Alexander
was a person with dynamic personality. He was imaginative and also with
romantic impulses. He was swift in anger and under the strain of his long
campaigns this characteristic grew more pronounced. He was very ruthless. He
showed no hesitation in eliminating men whom he had ceased to trust.
As a general, Alexander is among the greatest the world has
known. His short reign marks a decisive moment in the history of Asia and
Europe. His expedition and his personal interest in scientific investigation
brought many advances in the knowledge of geography and natural history.
The Gallant Porus
None
could hold forth before the slash of Alexander’s sword except Porus (ruler of
a small state between Jhelum and Chenub rivers in Punjab). He bravely fought
the forces of Alexander but was defeated and captured with nine (9) wounds.
He was brought before Alexander. Alexander asked him how he (Porus) expected
Alexander to treat him. Porus replied that he expected Alexander to treat him
as one king treated another. His answer and valour enthralled Alexander who
not only embraced him but also restored his kingdom to him.
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