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Famous Alexander Mosaic, showing Battle of Issus. Alexander is depicted mounted, on the left.

Why did Alexander the Great Really Invade the Persian Empire?

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By Cam Rea/Classical Wisdom

Alexander of Macedon, more widely known as Alexander the Great, is one of history’s most famous conquerors. Many historians, poets, and writers have been mesmerized by his conquests. The enthralling images of Alexander’s actions have built an everlasting romantic impression of the man.

But while most talk of his invasions and exploits, you rarely hear or read why he invaded the mighty Persian Empire in 335 BC in the first place.

Portrait of Alexander the Great. Marble, Hellenistic artwork, 2nd-1st century BC. Said to be from Alexandria, Egypt. (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Portrait of Alexander the Great. Marble, Hellenistic artwork, 2nd-1st century BC. Said to be from Alexandria, Egypt. (CC BY-SA 2.0)

The Greek historian Arrian (writing of and serving the Roman Empire) tells us that Alexander set out to conquer Persia as an act of revenge for past wrongs. Alexander addresses this in his letter to Darius stating:

“Your ancestors came into Macedonia and the rest of Greece and treated us ill, without any previous injury from us. I, having been appointed commander and chief of the Greek, and wishing to take revenge on the Persians, crossed over into Asia, hostilities being begun by you.”

But was it really all about revenge or was there something more to it... is it possible that Alexander just needed money?

Revenge or Riches?

It’s true that most books discussing Alexander’s invasion of Persia say revenge was the main motivator, payback for the Greco-Persian Wars of the past. All the same, it is rather odd that Alexander would all of a sudden decide to mount his horse and lead his army into the lands of Persia, especially since the war had been over for more than one-hundred years.

Statue of Alexander the Great - Skopje – Macedonia. (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Statue of Alexander the Great - Skopje – Macedonia. (CC BY-SA 2.0)

However, there is another passage that our historian Arrian provides. Apparently, Alexander gave a speech at Opis in 324 BC when his men mutinied for a second time, and in it he furnishes us with an interesting statement as to why he declared war on Persia, that being money.

“I inherited from my father a few gold and silver cups, and less than 60 talents in the treasury; Philip had debts amounting to 500 talents, and I raised a loan of a further 800.”

But there is a bit of backstory first. Alexander’s father Philip had already set his eyes on Persia and was preparing an invasion force but was assassinated before he could carry out his objective. With his death, Alexander was left with a semi-professional army, a fighting force paid directly by the king himself.

The detail of the Alexander Mosaic showing Alexander the Great. (Public Domain)

The detail of the Alexander Mosaic showing Alexander the Great. (Public Domain)

In order for Alexander to afford this army, he had to either disband a portion of it to save money, risking much in doing so, or go on the march to salvage his kingdom. In the end, he chose to save his kingdom at another empire’s expense. Essentially, Alexander needed to pay the bills by conquering and confiscating Persia. It was a risky investment to say the least.

As the early 20th century intellectual Randolph Bourne once stated: “War is the health of the state.” Indeed it was, for Alexander was the state and war was his business. Therefore, revenge was evidently not Alexander’s motivator.

Instead, revenge was just a facade to expand political means in order to fill his coffers. Once Alexander had enough means, and his treasuries overflowed, he could continue the unrelenting, perpetual war until the entire known world was his.

Top image: Famous Alexander Mosaic, showing Battle of Issus. Alexander is depicted mounted, on the left. Source: Public Domain

By Cam Rea

References:

Rae, Cam, 2017. Alexander the Great Destroyer: Ancient Revenge or War for Profit? Part II {Online}

Available at: http://www.ancient-origins.net/history/alexander-great-destroyer-ancient-revenge-or-war-profit-part-ii-007547

Margaritoff, Marco, 2019. New Theory on How Alexander the Great Died Suggests he Was Actually Alive Nearly a Week Following his ‘Death’. {Online}

Available at: https://allthatsinteresting.com/alexander-the-great-death

Classical Wisdom Limited is an online publishing company that strives to promote and preserve the classics from Ancient Greece and Rome. We aim to bring ancient wisdom to modern minds. You can visit our website here: http://classicalwisdom.com

 

 

Comments

Almost 3 years since the article has been published and inaccuracies haven't been addressed.
Macedonia is a region in northern Greece.
The statue in skopje has been taken down, after the people there recognized that Alexander the Great isn't part of their history.
The statue doesn't look like anything from what historians pictured him through centuries. Looks like a Roman emperor.
Since it is such a sensitive matter, you should write at the start of the article that "Alexander the Great the Macedon should not be confused with the former Yugoslavian republic of Macedonia".

Hello Cam Rea,

The mystery of Alexander the Great and his War against Persia has been solved one can find the answer in of all places The Bible in the Sacred Text the Book of Daniel chapter's 10 and chapter 11, Prophecies about Persia and Greece.

I realize generally most people wish too avoid any reference, to the Bible, all because it makes reference to a Supreme Higher Being; so we prefer finding answers elsewhere, rather than the scriptures of The Bible itself; I myself may make it an exception, and read Daniel chapter 10 and chapter 11.

It is quite intriguing for me at least, it answer's why Alexander the Great, chose to go too War against Persia, at a time when Persia, itself was quite Wealthy.

Great article Cam Tea thanks for sharing looking forward too reading more articles, Goodbye!

The metallic statue shown in Skopje is not Alexander as he never had a beard...and Skopje is not located in Macedonia but in the old Vardarska administrative region of Serbia-mainly inhabited by Bulgarians and Albanians...Macedonia was and always is part of Greece!

Cam Rea's picture

Cam Rea

Cam Rea is a Military Historian and currently the Associate Editor/Writer at Strategy & Tactics Press. Mr. Rea has published several books and written numerous articles for Strategy & Tactics Press and Classical Wisdom Weekly. His most current publication is... Read More

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