Western Civilization

But how did Alexander view himself? We know

that he sought to imitate Achilles, the warrior-hero of

Homer’sIliad. Alexander kept a copy of theIliad—and

a dagger—under his pillow. He also claimed to be

descended from Heracles, the Greek hero who came to be

worshiped as a god. No doubt, Alexander aspired to

divine honors; as pharaoh of Egypt, he became a living

god according to Egyptian tradition and at one point even

sent instructions to the Greek cities to “vote him a god.”

Regardless of his ideals, motives, or views about

himself, one fact stands out: Alexander ushered in a

new age, the Hellenistic era. The wordHellenisticis

derived from a Greek word meaning “to imitate

Greeks.” It is an appropriate way, then, to describe an

age that saw the extension of the Greek language and

ideas to the non-Greek world of the Near East.

Alexander’s destruction of the Persian monarchy

extended Greco-Macedonian rule over an enormous

area and created opportunities for Greek engineers,

intellectuals, merchants, soldiers, and administrators.

While the Greeks on the mainland might remain com-

mitted to the ideals of their city-states, those who fol-

lowed Alexander and his successors participated in a

new political unity based on the principle of monarchy.

Alexander had transformed his army from a Mace-

donian force into an international one, owing loyalty

only to himself. After his death, his successors used

force to establish military monarchies that dominated

the Hellenistic world. Autocratic power, based on mili-

tary strength and pretensions of divine rule, became a

regular feature of those Hellenistic monarchies and

CHRONOLOGYMacedonia and the Conquests of

Alexander

Reign of Philip II 359–336B.C.E.

Battle of Chaeronea; Philip II conquers

Greece

338 B.C.E.

Reign of Alexander the Great 336–323B.C.E.

Alexander invades Asia; Battle of

Granicus River

334 B.C.E.

Battle of Issus 333 B.C.E.

Battle of Gaugamela 331 B.C.E.

Fall of Persepolis, the Persian capital 330 B.C.E.

Alexander enters India 327 B.C.E.

Battle of Hydaspes River 326 B.C.E.

Death of Alexander 323 B.C.E.

Alexander and Darius at the Battle of Issus.This late second- or early first-centuryB.C.E. mosaic

from the floor of a Roman villa at Pompeii is thought to be a copy of a panel painting made by

Philoxenos of Eretria about 310B.C.E. The mosaic depicts the battle between Alexander and Darius

III, king of Persia, at Issus in 333B.C.E. Alexander is seen at the left on horseback, recklessly leading

his troops into battle. Darius is shown in his chariot, already turning around to flee from the enemy.

Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Naples//Erich Lessing/Art Resource, NY

80 Chapter 4 The Hellenistic World

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