[256] His campaigns greatly increased contacts and trade between East and West, and vast areas to the east were significantly exposed to Greek civilization and influence. [216] However, Ogden calculates that Alexander, who impregnated his partners thrice in eight years, had a higher matrimonial record than his father at the same age. Taking advantage of this power vacuum, Chandragupta Maurya (referred to in Greek sources as "Sandrokottos"), of relatively humble origin, took control of the Punjab, and with that power base proceeded to conquer the Nanda Empire. [285], On the other hand, some Roman writers, particularly Republican figures, used Alexander as a cautionary tale of how autocratic tendencies can be kept in check by republican values. Alexander immediately headed south. [81] The Greeks interpreted this message - one that the gods addressed to all pharaohs - as a prophecy.[78]. [94], Alexander then chased Darius, first into Media, and then Parthia. He founded more than twenty cities, with the most prominent being the city of Alexandria in Egypt. 336-323 BC. This would fit with the intended destination of Alexander's funeral cortege. According to the ancient sources, the two sides fought bitterly for some time. portrait head | British Museum [51] Alexander spared Arrhidaeus, who was by all accounts mentally disabled, possibly as a result of poisoning by Olympias. Alexander was proclaimed king on the spot by the nobles and army at the age of 20. Many of these students would become his friends and future generals, and are often known as the "Companions". [228][229], He appears to have believed himself a deity, or at least sought to deify himself. [102] However, Alexander's eventual decision to burn the Achaemenid palace at Persepolis in conjunction with the major rejection and opposition of the "entire Persian people" made it impracticable for him to pose himself as Darius' legitimate successor. The Cutting of the Gordian Knot is an Ancient Greek legend associated with Alexander the Great in Gordium in Phrygia, regarding a complex knot that tied an oxcart. [152][154] There was even a suggestion that Aristotle may have participated. [187] Furthermore, Perdiccas had read the notebooks containing Alexander's last plans to the Macedonian troops in Babylon, who voted not to carry them out.[62]. [292], In 39, Caligula performed a spectacular stunt by ordering a temporary floating bridge to be built using ships as pontoons, stretching for over two miles from the resort of Baiae to the neighbouring port of Puteoli.
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