Lesson 5 Study Notes
- Welcome back friends, Bishop Lewter here with my fifth lesson on the life of Alexander the Great. In this lesson, we will review the final confrontation between Alexander the Great and Darius III, king of Persia. We will explore how the victory over the Persians cemented Alexander's legacy as and fueled his desire to move east and expand his empire. Join me as we tackle the topic of Alexander's final defeat of the Persians. So let's look now at the final defeat of Darius III and the expansion of Alexander to India. Alexander the Great's relentless pursuit of Darius III culminating in the final defeat of the Persian king,
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marked a turning point in the history of the ancient world. This series of events not only signified the end of the Persian empire, but also set the stage for Alexander's eastward expansion into India, further solidifying his legacy
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as one of the most formidable conquerors in history. So let's look now more specifically at the battles leading to the final defeat of the Persians. After his victory at Isis in 333 BCE, Alexander continued his campaign against the Persian Empire with strategic precision. The decisive battle that sealed Darius III's fate was the Battle of Gorgamela in 331 BCE. Unlike previous engagements, Gorgamela was fought on an open plain, giving the vast Persian army an advantage in terms of maneuverability. Despite this, Alexander's superior tactics and the discipline of his troops once again
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proved decisive. He employed a series of complex maneuvers, including a feigned retreat and a decisive cavalry charge that penetrated the Persian lines, causing chaos and leading to Darius fleeing the battlefield. This retreat marked the beginning of the end of Darius. He was pursued relentlessly by Alexander, who was determined to capture the Persian king and solidify his claim over the empire. The final encounter took place in 330 BCE near the town of Ekbatana, modern
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day Hamadan. Darius III and Alexander's response. Darius III was found by Alexander's forces mortally wounded and left to die by his own men. a gesture of respect towards his fallen adversary. Alexander then took swift and decisive action against those responsible for the betrayal. Vesas, who had declared himself king of Persia, was captured by Alexander's forces and executed for his treachery. This act not only avenged Darius, but also sent a clear message about Alexander's views on loyalty and betrayal. We turn now to Alexander's entry into Persepolis
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and administrative changes he made in the Persian Empire. Following the death of Darius III, Alexander entered the Persian capital of Persepolis. His entry was marked by both triumph and tragedy. Persepolis, the ceremonial heart of the Persian Empire, symbolized the culmination of Alexander's conquest. He initially showed respect for Persian traditions and sought to present himself as the legitimate successor to the Achaemenid kings. However, in a moment of drunken revelry, or possibly as a calculated political act, Alexander allowed his troops to loot and burn the city, including the magnificent royal palace. This act was seen as retribution for the Persian invasion of Greece and the
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burning of the Acropolis during the Greco-Persian wars. of administration, Alexander adopted several Persian customs and attempted to integrate Greek and Persian cultures. He maintained many existing structures of governance, appointing both Macedonian and Persian officials to key positions. The policy of fusion, known as the policy of fusion of cultures, aimed to unify his vast empire and ensure loyalty among his new subjects. Now let's look at Alexander's momentum for eastward. The momentum from his victory
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over Darius III propelled him into new territories. In 327 BCE, Alexander launched a campaign continent. His most significant encounter was the Battle of Hadespus in 326 BC against King Porus. Despite formidable resistance and challenging terrain, Alexander's empire to its greatest extent, also exposed his troops to unfamiliar conditions and fierce resistance. The harsh realities of constant warfare, coupled with the desire to return home, eventually
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led to mutiny among his soldiers. Recognizing the limits of his reach, Alexander agreed to turn back, marking the easternmost point of his conquest. Our conclusion for this lesson. Alexander the Great's final defeat of Darius III at the Battle of Gorkomela and the subsequent events solidified his control over the Persian Empire. His treatment of Darius' betrayers demonstrated his stance on loyalty while his entry into Persepolis symbolized both his triumph and the complexities of his rule. The administrative changes he implemented reflected his vision of a united empire, blending
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