The Death of Alexander

The death of Alexander was a huge turning point in the Macedonian and Greek empires. Alexander gained most of his belief system from Aristotle in his youth and was very talented with his study of literature and eagerness to learn. His reign began when he was only 20 years old gaining kingship of Macedonia. His rule and reign took over many countries and infused the Greek way of living into the people and cultures.

The death of Alexander came in 323 BC, the day is unclear but historians generally put it at either June the 13th or 11th. Alexander was only 33 at the time of his death and his death wasn't expected from the people. Alexander's reign of Macedonia only lasted 13 years and started when he was only 20 years old. (2) (4)

When Alexander began his reign of Macedonia there was great restlessness among the Greek city states, and while in battle rumor spread that Alexander was dead in battle while fighting barbarians. The people of Thebes we're angry with the government and way of life and revolted against the people of Athens. Alexander however wasn't dead and returned to Athens in order to restore order in the city. His military stormed the city and destroyed all the buildings of Thebes and in turn captured 30,000 people that were later sold to slavery. This early action showed the Greek world that Alexander was in charge and could control the empire, even at such a young age. The rebellion and dissent among the people ended at this point. (2)

The next large move of action for Alexander involved the conquering of Persia. While tremendously undermanned and very little funding Alexander was able to gain control of Persia and hence the majority of Asia Minor was available to him. In 333bc Alexander raised an army to gain control and reign over Syria and the rest of Persia. Darius III then king of Persia didn't like the thought of Alexander gaining control of Persia and he organized an army of men to try and stop Alexander. Alexander captured the kings army along with Darius' wife and his mother. This overtaking is considered to be one of Alexander's greatest achievements among many historians. (2)

Alexander's next act involved the conquest in Phoenicia and Tyre. Up until the time Phoenicia was an island but Alexander didn't allow that to stop his siege and he built a causeway to it and conquered the city. Eight thousand Tyrians were killed and thirty thousand were sold to slavery. Practically all of Persia was Alexander's except Gaza, which resisted attacks for a few months before they too were finally conquered. (2)

Alexander then entered Egypt and was welcomed by the Egyptians for they were in need of a strong and powerful government that could keep them safe and remain in control of the people. Alexander had a city build; Alexandria was built to be a Greek city that would control many of the Greek city states. (2)(3)

The rule and reign of Alexander extended into Arbela and India. Many battle were won, and fought in the name of the Greek army and Alexander. The takeover of these two gave Alexander rule of the majority of Europe and Asia. (2)

Alexander had dreams of making on country of all of Europe and Asia, combining the greatest thing in the west with the greatest of the east in order to gain tremendous strength among over takers. Alexander encouraged marriage outside of common city states and himself married a Persian Princess. Soldiers were taken from all over to be in his army, uniting the soldiers as well as the common citizens. Requiring the citizens and individual provinces to worship him as a god was just one way of showing his supreme leadership and rule. (2)

Now going in depth into Alexander's death we can begin to look at and examine how he died. Alexander's death wasn't a valiant death in battle, but came from a sickness. His life ended shortly after he began to get sick. (4)

Many accounts indicate that Alexander's sickness began with a long night of drinking with family and friends. Alexander drank far into the night until he told family and friends that he was going to bed. On his way to his quarters he met Medius who invited him to his quarters to drink and party with him. Alexander agreed, bathed and slept for a little while before he decided to drink again with Medius until late that evening. Alexander then bathed again and went back to sleep, Alexander's fever has just began. (2)(1)

The next day Alexander was unable to go about business on his own, so he was taken on his bed to do daily duties and give orders as usual. Alexander was taken across the Euphrates river to bathe and rest again before the next day. (1)

Alexander's condition has only weakened and gotten worse over the course of the day and he was not getting better with rest. The following day he went about with his bathe and daily religious rituals