II. Ancient and Classical Periods, 3500 B.C.E.–500 C.E. > D. Classical Greece and the Hellenistic World > 4. The Classical Age, 510–323 B.C.E. > h. The Macedonian Empire > 330
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  The Encyclopedia of World History.  2001.
 
 
330
 
Athens had recouped its strength under the financial administration of Lycurgus. Compulsory military training for all youth (epheboi) was established. Demosthenes was acquitted in a trial brought by Aeschines on the legality of the award to Demosthenes of a civic crown.  1
 
329–328
 
Alexander marched into Bactria and Sogdiana, overcoming the Iranians under Spitamenes, but with difficulty.  2
 
328
 
Alexander adopted Persian dress and court etiquette, including proskynesis, or prostration before the king. In a drunken fury, he murdered his friend Cleitus who had reproached him for this. Alexanderhad 30,000 Persians trained to fight in the Macedonian fashion.  3
 
327
 
Alexander married the Bactrian princess Roxane. Invited into India by “Taxiles” (King Ambhi of Taxila) against Porus (King Parvataka), Alexander crossed the Indus.  4
 
326
 
Alexander defeated Porus at the Battle of the Hydaspes (Jhelum) and advanced as far as the Hyphasis (Beas) River. At this point the Macedonian army refused to march any farther east.  5
 
325
 
Alexander marched to the Indian Ocean via the Hydaspes and Indus. In a campaign against the Mallians, Alexander leapt alone from the wall of their city into the midst of the enemy. He was wounded by an arrow but rescued by his troops. In July, Nearchus set out with the fleet to return via the coast of the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf. Alexander returned through the Gedrosian Desert, where the army suffered serious losses due to lack of supplies.  6
 
325
 
A Macedonian noble, Harpalus, guilty of embezzling massive funds while Alexander fought in India, fled to Athens. He bribed many Athenian politicians, including Demosthenes, in an attempt to secure sanctuary.  7
 
324
 
Alexander's army and navy met in Caramania, and after resting, continued on to Susa. Alexander had left many of the native satraps in office, but most of these were now replaced by Macedonians. His friend Hephaestion was made hipparch, or second-in-command. Alexander married Barsine, the eldest daughter of Darius, and 80 of his officers took wives from the Persian and Median aristocracy. Alexander made official the unions of soldiers with concubines who had been taken along the route and paid all the debts of his soldiers. He ordered all exiles recalled by the Greek cities and ordered them to recognize him as the son of Zeus Ammon. He sent home 10,000 Macedonians considered no longer able to fight and replaced them with Persians and other Iranians. Hephaestion died at Ecbatana and was extravagantly mourned but not replaced as hipparch.  8
 
324
 
Demosthenes was exiled from Athens for taking bribes from Harpalus.  9
 
323
 
Alexander gathered a large army and navy at Babylon, apparently preparing for a campaign against Arabia.  10
 
June 13, 323
 
DEATH OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT. Alexander died of a fever at Babylon without clearly designating a successor. His death is generally considered the dividing point between the Classical and Hellenistic periods.  11
 
 
 
The Encyclopedia of World History, Sixth edition. Peter N. Stearns, general editor. Copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Maps by Mary Reilly, copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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