HANDOUT FOR OCTOBER 19: ALEXANDER THE GREAT
436-338: Isocrates, orator and proponent of Panhellenism, political unification of Greece.
401-399: March of the Ten Thousand. Xenophon and a Greek mercenary army take part in a Persian prince’s rebellion. Although unsuccessful, the Greeks fight their way out and return home – revealing Persia’s military weakness.
384-322: Aristotle, philosopher and tutor to Alexander.
384-322: Demosthenes, orator in Athens.
359: Philip II becomes king of Macedon.
356: Birth of Alexander.
355: Demosthenes begins condemning Philip in his Philippics.
346: Isocrates calls for "unity of Greece" under Philip.
338: Philip defeats Thebes and Athens at battle of Chaeronea; organizes Greek cities into Corinthian League for war against Persia.
336: Philip assassinated. Alexander becomes king. Darius III is king of Persia.
335: Thebes rebels and is destroyed by Alexander.
334: Alexander invades Asia. Battle of Granicus.
333: Alexander defeats Darius’ army at Issus.
332: Alexander besieges and destroys Tyre.
331: Alexander in Egypt. Visits Oracle at Siwah. Founds Alexandria.
331: Battle of Gaugamela: final defeat of Persian army.
330: Alexander burns Persepolis. Controversy over proskynesis, Alexander’s demand that his followers prostrate themselves before him in the style of a Persian king.
329: Darius killed.
329-327: Alexander campaigns in Bactria and Soghdia (Afghanistan and Central Asia).
328: Alexander, drunk, kills his friend Cleitus.
327-325: Alexander invades India. His troops mutiny, refusing to go any further.
325-324: Alexander returns to Persia, marries daughters of Persian king. Death of his companion Hephaestion.
323: Alexander falls ill and dies. When asked to whom he would leave the throne, he answers: "To the strongest."