Terms to Know in Connection With Alexander the Great
Alexander the Great Terms
Alexander the Great's name is associated with battles, the Gordian Knot, and the end of the free, self-governing city states in Greece. After Alexander the Great's death, new dynastic empires arose. Here are some terms to know in connection with Alexander the Great and his legacy.
Achaemenid Kings
The Achaemenid dynasty in Persia ran from about 560-330 B.C., when Alexander the Great defeated Darius III of Persia.
Bactria
Bactria was a large agriculturally prosperous area located in modern Afghanistan where Alexander fought. Among the Diadochi, Seleucus took control of Bactria. Invasions from beyond the Oxus River put an end to the Greek presence by 130 B.C.
Chaeronea
Chaeronea (338 B.C.) was a decisive victory for Philip and defeat for the independent Greek poleis. The Greek forces Philip defeated were led by Athens and Thebes. The Theban Band was annihilated. Chaeronea was also the location of a battle between Sulla and Mithridates.
Companion Cavalry of Alexander the Great
In Alexander the Great's Macedonian army, the Companion Cavalry was a unit of 8 squadrons (225 horsemen each).
Diadochi
The Diadochi were the rival successors of Alexander the Great who split up his empire after much fighting and several assassinations.
Gordian Knot
A very short explanation of the legend about Alexander and the Gordian Knot.
Granicus
Alexander the Great won the Battle of the Granicus in May/June 334 B.C. The battle was fought along the Granicus River against the Persians.
Issus
Alexander the Great fought the Battle at Issus soon after the Battle at the Granicus. Despite injury and the steep cost in human lives, Alexander won the Battle at Issus.
Persepolis
Alexander looted the Persian capital city of Persepolis in 331 B.C. When he set fire to the great palace, he baked clay sealings, thereby preserving them. This was an act of revenge on behalf of the Greeks against the Persians.
Ptolemies
The Ptolemies ruled in Egypt after Alexander the Great died. They were responsible for building up Alexandria as a great center of learning.
Seleucid
The Seleucid Empire was created out of the Macedonian Empire. It is the empire founded by Seleucus, one of the Diadochi.