Macedonian Empire Part 2
In 331 BC, Alexander the Great, having conquered Egypt, decisively defeated Darius III at Gaugamela and captured Babylon. He continued his conquest across the Achaemenid Empire, seizing its capitals - Susa, Persepolis, and Pasargadae - and burning Persepolis. Meanwhile, in Macedon, Antipater suppressed a Spartan rebellion. Alexander pursued Darius, who was eventually betrayed and killed. After subduing rebellions and adopting some Persian customs, Alexander turned towards India in 327 BC, conquering territories up to the Hydaspes River. Despite initial successes, his army's reluctance forced a return journey, marked by intense battles and hardship. Alexander's empire expanded further, but his untimely death in 323 BC led to its fragmentation, setting the stage for the Hellenistic Period.
Image Credits
MacedonEmpire - Generic Mapping Tools, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Battle gaugamela decisive - Frank Martini. Cartographer, Department of books, United States Military Academy, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
PERSIA, Alexandrine Empire. Mazaios. Satrap of Babylon, circa 331-328 BC - Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. http://www.cngcoins.com, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sparta's losses in 338 BC - T8612, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Achaemenid Empire 500 BCE - Cattette, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Khalili Collection Aramaic Documents manuscript Bactria - Khalili Collections, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Persepolis - Royal audience low-relief - Philippe Chavin (Simorg), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Darius-The-Great-or-Xerxes-I-The-Great-of-Persia-With-Crown-Prince-(Behind-Him)-and-Median-Commander-Simin-Ancient-Iran-Muesem - Arashk rp2, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Tribute in the Achaemenid Empire - Mossmaps for the original map.पाटलिपुत्र (talk) for the statistical illustration, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
PtolemyCoinWithAlexanderWearingElephantScalp - I, PHGCOM, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Hindu Kush mountains (30357238428) - Ninara from Helsinki, Finland, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Nanda Empire, c.325 BCE - Avantiputra7, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Dying Alexander - Urek Meniashvili, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons