One event took place at Hydaspes which devastated Alexander: the death of his beloved horse, Bucephalus. Alexander's biographer Plutarch recalled his king claiming that the . As the disease spreads through the patients body, it can cause symmetrical paralysis and can occasionally cause confusion and lapses of consciousness. In one of his most decisive moves, the young monarch forcefully proved his authority over rebellious Greeks by storming the defiant city of Thebes, slaughtering thousands of residents and enslaving the rest. In his short life (356-323 BCE) he conquered an enormous range of landsfrom Macedonia to Egypt and from Greece to parts of Indiaand gave a new direction to world history. While the siege of Tyre was in progress, Darius sent a new offer: he would pay a huge ransom of 10,000 talents for his family and cede all his lands west of the Euphrates. The fall in the level of the sea was interpreted as a mark of divine favour by Alexanders flatterers, including the historian Callisthenes. In spring 324 he was back in Susa, capital of Elam and administrative centre of the Persian empire; the story of his journey through Carmania in a drunken revel, dressed as Dionysus, is embroidered, if not wholly apocryphal. When Alexander the Great died four years later, Roxana was expecting their first child. There was an open mutiny involving all but the royal bodyguard; but when Alexander dismissed his whole army and enrolled Persians instead, the opposition broke down. Alexander the Great | Biography, Empire, Death, & Facts (2023), Does Best Buy Price Match? Fed up with Alexanders new Persian-like persona, a drunk Cleitus continually insulted Alexander and minimized his achievements. (2023 Updated). 2 hours of sleep? As the story goes, Alexander fell in love with Roxane on sight. Copy. He seized strategic ports, including the defiant Phoenician port of Tyre. However, the Indian contestants werent used to drinking wine, and 41 of them ended up dying of alcohol poisoning that day. He made fitful efforts to organize his huge empire in the style of the Persians; he hired Persian officials and wed Persian princesses (as did dozens of his commanders). His advance eastward was now rapid. Alexander deployed his troops with great skill and earned their devotion by leading them in battle and suffering several wounds. Alexander was just 16 when Philip went off to battleand left his son in charge of Macedonia. Alexander the Great died on 10 or 11 June 323 BC at the age of 32 in Babylon, Iraq . Find History on Facebook (Opens in a new window), Find History on Twitter (Opens in a new window), Find History on YouTube (Opens in a new window), Find History on Instagram (Opens in a new window), Find History on TikTok (Opens in a new window), https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-greece/alexander-the-great. Through his military prowess, Alexander would start his global conquest by finishing the job that his father was never able to complete. His worshippers eventually carved him a tomb underneath the Soma, and his tomb began the pilgrimage destination for citizens as well as famous historical figures such as Julius Caesar and Emperor Augustus. Aristotle would be the princes personal teacher for seven years until King Philip II was assassinated and Alexander rose to power. The people welcomed him as their deliverer, and the Persian satrap Mazaces wisely surrendered. Victory went to Alexander and the Macedonians. Alexanders biographer Plutarch recalled his king claiming that the Indian King and his elephant were proportionate to Alexander and his horse. After his first victory, Alexander the Great was ready to press himself and his army further. As in Egypt, the local priesthood was encouraged. Only a year later, Alexander fought against King Darius III and the Persian army in Turkey during the Battle of Issus. Alexander the Great | Timeline | Britannica to King Philip II and Queen Olympiasalthough legend had it his father was none other than Zeus, the ruler of the Greek gods. Poruss army was less experienced than Alexanders, but they had a secret weaponelephants. Thanks to his insatiable urge for world supremacy, he started plans to conquer Arabia. Peucestas, the new governor of Persis, gave this policy full support to flatter Alexander; but most Macedonians saw it as a threat to their own privileged position. What we can learn from Chernobyl's strays. In Aria he reduced Satibarzanes, who had offered submission only to revolt, and he founded Alexandria of the Arians (modern Hert). Crushing the mountain tribe of the Ouxians, he now pressed on over the Zagros range into Persia proper and, successfully turning the Pass of the Persian Gates, held by the satrap Ariobarzanes, he entered Persepolis and Pasargadae. Conquest of the Mediterranean coast and Egypt, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alexander-the-Great, Constitutional Rights Foundation - The Legacy of Alexander the Great, History World - History of Alexander The Great, Chemistry LibreTexts - The Legacy of Alexander the Great, JewishEncyclopedia.com - Alexander The Great, Social Studies for Kids - Biography of Alexander the Great, Livius - Biography of Alexander the Great, PBS LearningMedia - The Rise of Alexander the Great, World History Encyclopedia - Biography of Alexander the Great, Alexander the Great - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Alexander the Great - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). Vocabulary. Fact # 17 - Alexander spent his last years in Persia and never made it home to Macedonia. (2023 Updated), Does Trader Joes Take EBT? His body was then moved to his namesake city of Alexandria and stayed in the citys Soma, which was a walled-off district where the royal tombs of Ptolemaic kings were. Returning to Macedonia by way of Delphi (where the Pythian priestess acclaimed him invincible), he advanced into Thrace in spring 335 and, after forcing the Shipka Pass and crushing the Triballi, crossed the Danube to disperse the Getae; turning west, he then defeated and shattered a coalition of Illyrians who had invaded Macedonia. Some historians believe Alexander killed his general in a fit of drunkennessa persistent problem that plagued him through much of his life. One of the newest theories is that Alexander had a neurological disorder called Guillain-Barr Syndrome and claims that the reason that Alexanders body took so long to decay was that he hadnt been dead as long as they had thought. On the Hyphasis he erected 12 altars to the 12 Olympian gods, and on the Hydaspes he built a fleet of 800 to 1,000 ships. The vast Eurasian empire that Alexander the Great (356323 B.C.) (2023 Updated), Does Kroger Take Apple Pay? Articles with the HISTORY.com Editors byline have been written or edited by the HISTORY.com editors, including Amanda Onion, Missy Sullivan and Matt Mullen. The Companion cavalry was reorganized in two sections, each containing four squadrons (now known as hipparchies); one group was commanded by Alexanders oldest friend, Hephaestion, the other by Cleitus, an older man. King Philip II would be assassinated during the Wedding of Cleopatra by one of his bodyguards in 336 B.C.E. Alexander III, the "Basileus of Macedon," the "Hegemon of the Hellenic League," the "Shahanshah" of Persia, the "Pharaoh" of Egypt, and the "Lord of Asia"better known as Alexander the Greatwas one of the most significant figures in human history.. Born in Pella in modern-day Central Macedonia in northern Greece in 356 B.C., he was the son of Philip II, the King of . Updated: November 24, 2020 | Original: November 9, 2009. Alexander also stood apart from the warrior culture in his physical appearance. Its unclear if he died from battle wounds or of old age, but Alexander named the city of Bucephala after him. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Jean-Simon Berthelemy (1743-1811), a French history painter, painted this oil on canvas. Ancient History Encyclopedia.Alexander the Great. The son of a king, Alexander was a brilliant military leader who conquered most of the known world, but he wasn't much of a diplomat. As a young boy, Alexander was taught to read, write, and play the lyre. Alexander struggled to capture Sogdia, a region of the Persian Empire that remained loyal to Bessus. This discontent was now fanned by the arrival of 30,000 native youths who had received a Macedonian military training and by the introduction of Asian peoples from Bactria, Sogdiana, Arachosia, and other parts of the empire into the Companion cavalry; whether Asians had previously served with the Companions is uncertain, but if so they must have formed separate squadrons. In 336 B.C., Alexanders father Philip was assassinated by his bodyguard Pausanias. How Tall Was Alexander the Great? - Malevus He spent most of his reign on a military campaign throughnortheast Africa and southwestern Asia. To ensure that her son would claim the throne, Roxana killed both of Alexanders other wives and their children. (Top 10 Reasons), Can You Return Paint At Lowes? Bucephalus or Bucephalas (/ b ju s f l s /; Ancient Greek: ; c. 355 BC - June 326 BC) was the horse of Alexander the Great, and one of the most famous horses of classical antiquity. It quickly became clear that Alexander and his army were going to win, which caused Darius to flee so quickly that the Persian king left behind his entire family. King Porus was a giant man, who was thought to have been around seven feet tall. The battle was long and bloody, but Alexander III of Macedonia reigned victorious after costing King Porus 23,000 of his men. While he could be ruthless and impulsive, Alexander was also charismatic and sensible. To honor his late friend, Alexander the Great decided to hold the Olympics in Susa but quickly realized that the Indian citizens werent familiar with Greek sports. It is known that he had a strong jaw, a long nose, and piercing eyes. Some believe it was the immense pressure from his royal parents that drove him to drink. (2023 Updated), Does Sam's Club Have Curbside Pickup? Later the incident was to contribute to the story that he was the son of Zeus and, thus, to his deification. In spring 331 he returned to Tyre, appointed a Macedonian satrap for Syria, and prepared to advance into Mesopotamia. Parmenio was also left behind in Media to control communications; the presence of this older man had perhaps become irksome. Interesting change, but in my school textbook they listed Alexander the Great as slightly above the average height of a Macedonian which would be 5'4" (= average Greek) and his father as 5'2" based on skeletons. While in Babylon, Alexander became ill after a prolonged banquet and drinking bout, and on June 13, 323, he died at age 33. Intelligence on both sides was faulty, and Alexander was already encamped by Myriandrus (near modern skenderun, Turkey) when he learned that Darius was astride his line of communications at Issus, north of Alexanders position (autumn 333). (10 Reasons), Why Is Dragon Fruit So Expensive? On the site of modern Leninabad (Khojent) on the Jaxartes, he founded a city, Alexandria Eschate, the farthest. Meanwhile, Spitamenes had raised all Sogdiana in revolt behind him, bringing in the Massagetai, a people of the Shaka confederacy. Heracles of Macedon (Ancient Greek: ; c. 327 - 309 BC) was a reputed illegitimate son of Alexander the Great of . The horse became his battle companion for most of Alexanders life. To approach a question 400 million years in the making, researchers turned to mudskippers, blinking fish that live partially out of water. Geography, Human Geography, Social Studies, Ancient Civilizations. When they saw foreigners, how tall were the "giants". In 327 B.C., Alexander marched on Punjab, India. From Maracanda (modern Samarkand) Alexander advanced by way of Cyropolis to the Jaxartes (modern Syrdarya), the boundary of the Persian empire. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! Few historical military figures have valued the culture of his wartime enemies as much as this king of Macedonia. Alexander had to kill his half-siblings to claim the throne as his own. Legends abound about what transpired at the oracle, but Alexander kept mum about the experience. Bessus was captured, flogged, and sent to Bactra, where he was later mutilated after the Persian manner (losing his nose and ears); in due course he was publicly executed at Ecbatana. He then invaded India in 327 B.C. His body, diverted to Egypt by Ptolemy, the later king, was eventually placed in a golden coffin in Alexandria. He met with more reverence in Egypt, where he was honored as a god-king like the pharaohs of oldveneration he considered his due. At this point Alexander benefitted from the sudden death of Memnon, the competent Greek commander of the Persian fleet. He succeeded his father Philip II to the throne in 336 BC at the age of 20, and spent most of his ruling years conducting a lengthy military campaign throughout Western Asia . In reply to a letter from Darius offering peace, Alexander replied arrogantly, recapitulating the historic wrongs of Greece and demanding unconditional surrender to himself as lord of Asia. The march was attended with much fighting and heavy, pitiless slaughter; at the storming of one town of the Malli near the Hydraotes (Ravi) River, Alexander received a severe wound which left him weakened. Finally rid of Darius, Alexander proclaimed himself King of Persia. In spring 334 he crossed the Dardanelles, leaving Antipater, who had already faithfully served his father, as his deputy in Europe with over 13,000 men; he himself commanded about 30,000 foot and over 5,000 cavalry, of whom nearly 14,000 were Macedonians and about 7,000 allies sent by the Greek League. This army was to prove remarkable for its balanced combination of arms. Some historians say Alexander died of malaria or other natural causes; others believe he was poisoned. One of Alexander the Greats most infamous tales of alcoholism was the drinking contest he held in which all 42 contestants who entered died. In the meantime (winter 333332) the Persians had counterattacked by land in Asia Minorwhere they were defeated by Antigonus, the satrap of Greater Phrygiaand by sea, recapturing a number of cities and islands. The event marked a step in Alexanders progress toward Eastern absolutism, and this growing attitude found its outward expression in his use of Persian royal dress. In summer 324 Alexander attempted to solve another problem, that of the wandering mercenaries, of whom there were thousands in Asia and Greece, many of them political exiles from their own cities. He was the king of Macedonia, starting from 359 B.C. In autumn 324 Hephaestion died in Ecbatana, and Alexander indulged in extravagant mourning for his closest friend; he was given a royal funeral in Babylon with a pyre costing 10,000 talents. You cannot download interactives. The history of book bansand their changing targetsin the U.S. Should you get tested for a BRCA gene mutation? The empire could hardly survive Alexanders death as a unit. For information on user permissions, please read our Terms of Service. The great thinkers influence could be clearly seen while Alexander navigated fragile diplomatic situations, despite Aristotles poor opinion of people from other cultures, particularly Persians. However, the most famous wife of Alexander of the Great is Roxana of Bactria, who was the sister of Barsine. To further diffuse the situation, Alexander returned their titles and hosted a huge reconciliation banquet. How tall was alexander the great? - cgaa.org There are many historians and medical professionals who believed that the late Macedonian king could have even been an alcoholic. Alexander put his vigor and bravery on display, and his cavalry decimated the Sacred Band of Thebes. National Geographic Society is a 501 (c)(3) organization. The cities perforce complied, but often ironically: the Spartan decree read, Since Alexander wishes to be a god, let him be a god.. Livius.org. At Memphis Alexander sacrificed to Apis, the Greek term for Hapi, the sacred Egyptian bull, and was crowned with the traditional double crown of the pharaohs; the native priests were placated and their religion encouraged. We wont send you spam. Alexander then headed south and easily took the city of Sardes. This ruthless action excited widespread horror but strengthened Alexanders position relative to his critics and those whom he regarded as his fathers men. Macedonian laughter caused the experiment to founder, and Alexander abandoned it. This estimate is based on a combination of historical accounts, artistic depictions, and measurements of his remains. The following spring at Babylon he received complimentary embassies from the Libyans and from the Bruttians, Etruscans, and Lucanians of Italy; but the story that embassies also came from more distant peoples, such as Carthaginians, Celts, Iberians, and even Romans, is a later invention. Only one ancient account mentions the existence of Xerxes Canal, long thought to be a tall tale. A new forensic study appears to solve a long-standing debate in Greek archaeology over the burial location of King Philip II of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great. The fleet was commanded by Nearchus, and Alexanders own captain was Onesicritus; both later wrote accounts of the campaign. Alexander the Great, also known as Alexander III or Alexander of Macedonia, (born 356 bce, Pella, Macedonia [northwest of Thessalonki, Greece]died June 13, 323 bce, Babylon [near Al-illah, Iraq]), king of Macedonia (336-323 bce), who overthrew the Persian empire, carried Macedonian arms to India, and laid the foundations for the Hellenistic world of territorial kingdoms. They refused to practice proskynesis and some plotted his death. An emotional scene of reconciliation was followed by a vast banquet with 9,000 guests to celebrate the ending of the misunderstanding and the partnership in government of Macedonians and Persiansbut not, as has been argued, the incorporation of all the subject peoples as partners in the commonwealth. Alexander the Great was approximately 5 feet tall, which was the average height for Greek males of that time period. Alexander had on several occasions encouraged favourable comparison of his own accomplishments with those of Dionysus or Heracles. From age 13 to 16 he was taught by Aristotle, who inspired him with an interest in philosophy, medicine, and scientific investigation, but he was later to advance beyond his teachers narrow precept that non-Greeks should be treated as slaves. On his reaching the oracle in its oasis, the priest gave him the traditional salutation of a pharaoh, as son of Amon; Alexander consulted the god on the success of his expedition but revealed the reply to no one. Alexander the Great had a significant influence on world history, regardless of how tall he was. As a teenager, Alexander became known for his exploits on the battlefield. From his accession Alexander had set his mind on the Persian expedition. Although the reports have yet to be verified, the Egyptian Tourist Department is highly confident that they have finally been able to track down the lost tomb. Alexanders life was a journey filled with many influential people, and his death has been shrouded in mystery for centuries. Alexander took his first army to fight the unbeatable Sacred Band of Thebes, which was a small army made up of entirely male lovers who fought the Macedonian army during the Battle of Chaeronea. As the body loses functionality and requires less oxygen, it can become difficult to tell if a patient is breathing. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. How Many Rings Does Phil Jackson Have? How Tall was Alexander the Great? - New Creative World Alexander the Great: Conquests, Legacy, and Historical Impact Greek cities in Asia Minor that had been under Persian control welcomed his rule. He had come to envisage a joint ruling people consisting of Macedonians and Persians, and this served to augment the misunderstanding that now arose between him and his people. In 338 B.C., Alexander saw the opportunity to prove his military worth and led a cavalry against the . For centuries, the late Macedonian kings grave has been seen as the realistic version of the Holy Grail. Since his death, there have been hundreds of potential explanations throughout the medical community as to what actually caused the death of the victorious king. King Darius III would run away after losing battles multiple times before Alexander the Great was finally able to end the fighting in October of 331 B.C.E. Its said Alexander was sad when he found Dariuss body and he gave him a royal burial. To be a great king, Alexander III had to be just as skilled a diplomat as he was a warrior. But hed never live to see it happen. The issue came to a head at Opis (324), when Alexanders decision to send home Macedonian veterans under Craterus was interpreted as a move toward transferring the seat of power to Asia. In June Alexander fought his last great battle on the left bank of the Hydaspes. (10 Reasons), Does Starbucks Take Apple Pay? Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. 6. He now seems to have become convinced of the reality of his own divinity and to have required its acceptance by others. Alexander IV (Greek: ; 323-309 BC), erroneously called sometimes in modern times Aegus, [2] was the son of Alexander the Great (Alexander III of Macedon) and Princess Roxana of Bactria. Some tribes surrendered peacefully; others did not. Yes, Alexander the Greats tomb was recently believed to be found by Siwas Tourist Department in the Siwa Oasis in the Marai area. Instead of taking the direct route down the river to Babylon, he made across northern Mesopotamia toward the Tigris, and Darius, learning of this move from an advance force sent under Mazaeus to the Euphrates crossing, marched up the Tigris to oppose him. Porus responded with a booming, Like a king! This led the two kings to become friends. For some long COVID patients, exercise is bad medicine, Radioactive dogs? Timeline of events in the life of Alexander the Great, also known as Alexander III or Alexander of Macedonia. At Gordium in Phrygia, tradition records his cutting of the Gordian knot, which could only be loosed by the man who was to rule Asia; but this story may be apocryphal or at least distorted. In 326 B.C., Alexander met King Porus of Paurava at the Hydaspes River. Alexander III of Macedon (Ancient Greek: , romanized: Alexandros; 20/21 July 356 BC - 10/11 June 323 BC), commonly known as Alexander the Great, was a king of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon. If Alexander was to achieve happiness, he needed to show that he could be the best king possible. Alexander the Great as a God - World History Encyclopedia Livius.org.Alexander the Great of Macedon Biography. During his13-year reign as thekingof Macedonia,Alexandercreated one of the largest empires of the ancient world, stretching from Greece to northwestern India. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Alexander III of Macedonia was the son that King Philip II had with Queen Olympias in 356 B.C.E. The army was accompanied by surveyors, engineers, architects, scientists, court officials, and historians; from the outset Alexander seems to have envisaged an unlimited operation. Alexanders forces were greatly outnumbered in men but not in experience or the determination for revenge and to claim Persias great wealth, much of it plundered. (2023 Updated), When Does Walmart Restock? The wild horse had once been known for causing problems thanks to his aggressive nature, but Bucephalus would go on to become Alexander the Greats nearly lifelong wartime partner. When Alexander saw Roxana at the banquet, he was taken aback by her overwhelming beauty and was ready to marry her immediately. Although medical professionals are uncertain if the king drank wine constantly, he did have a history of getting pathologically intoxicated by undiluted wine. Alexander tried his best to convince his friend to stay alive, but Calanus ended up killing himself by self-immolation. Dariuss Greek mercenaries were largely massacred, but 2,000 survivors were sent back to Macedonia in chains. Alexander the Great, also known as Alexander III or Alexander of Macedonia is known as one of the greatest generals in all history. Livius.org.The Sacred Band of Thebes, from Plutarch, Life of Pelopidas. Not one to take no for an answer, Alexander sent some of his men to scale the rock and take the Sogdians by surprise. The Indian monarch Porus was 7 feet tall when Alexander first met him. (2023 Updated), Does Taco Bell Have Salads? The Macedonians were less than thrilled with the changes in Alexander and his attempt to be viewed as a deity. (Updated 2023), What Time Does McDonalds Open? At Susa Alexander held a feast to celebrate the seizure of the Persian empire, at which, in furtherance of his policy of fusing Macedonians and Persians into one master race, he and 80 of his officers took Persian wives; he and Hephaestion married Dariuss daughters Barsine (also called Stateira) and Drypetis, respectively, and 10,000 of his soldiers with native wives were given generous dowries. After relentless pursuit by Alexander, Bessuss troops handed Bessus over to Ptolemy, Alexanders good friend, and he was mutilated and executed. Supposedly, one of those on the rock was a girl named Roxane. He was hired by Philip II, King of Macedon (r. 359-336 BCE) as tutor for his son Alexander the Great (l. 356-323 BCE) and made such an impression on the youth that Alexander carried Aristotle's works with him on campaign and introduced Aristotelian philosophy to the east when he conquered the Persian Empire.Through Alexander, Aristotle's works were spread throughout the known world of the time . Sarah Appleton, National Geographic Society. Alexander sent his body for burial with due honours in the royal tombs at Persepolis. However, not every historical figure who visited his grave did it out of respect. Philip II was an impressive military man in his own right. Already in . We thought we knew turtles. When a gap opened in the Persian ranks, he and his elite cavalrymen dashed into the breach, splitting the opposing army in two. Alexander the Great first started the invasion in 334 B.C.E. Fordham University.The Siege of Tyre (332 BCE). To gain credibility with the Persians, Alexander took on many Persian customs. Meanwhile, a rumour of his death had precipitated a revolt of Theban democrats; other Greek states favoured Thebes, and the Athenians, urged on by Demosthenes, voted help. A new discovery raises a mystery. For generations, archeologists have searched endlessly for the tomb, and its mystery has served as the inspiration for countless writers. For the ancient Greeks, the Macedonian king was seen as some kind of deity. forged was not long-lasting, but his heroic deeds were legendary. HISTORY.com works with a wide range of writers and editors to create accurate and informative content. The legend of this painting, "Alexander cutting the Gordian Knot," is that in 333 B.C. Not so Alexander. As Mazaeuss appointment indicated, Alexanders views on the empire were changing. The Phoenician cities Marathus and Aradus came over quietly, and Parmenio was sent ahead to secure Damascus and its rich booty, including Dariuss war chest. The secondary story of how Alexander and Roxana met claims that Oxyartes held a banquet for Alexander after killing Bessus. His advance through Swt and Gandhra was marked by the storming of the almost impregnable pinnacle of Aornos, the modern Pir-Sar, a few miles west of the Indus and north of the Buner River, an impressive feat of siegecraft. Alexander pursued the defeated Persian forces for 35 miles to Arbela, but Darius escaped with his Bactrian cavalry and Greek mercenaries into Media. Alexanders second in command was Parmenio, who had secured a foothold in Asia Minor during Philips lifetime; many of his family and supporters were entrenched in positions of responsibility. From artistry to politics, ancient Greece left a considerable impression on world history. In the battle that followed, Alexander won a decisive victory. There are two running stories of how the pair first met, but both stories share that it was love at first sight for Alexander the Great. How Tall Was Alexander the Great? - IMGMR As proof of their friendship, Alexander the Great gave King Porus command over his former land. Alexandria Became the Intellectual Capital of the World. The road to becoming king wasnt simple for young Alexander, despite having shown impressive leadership skills since he was a child. According to one legend, on the day of Alexander's birth, the Greek goddess of the hunt Artemis was away . Still, the visit furthered speculation Alexander was a deity. Under siege yet not beaten, Halicarnassus held out long enough for King Darius III, the newest Persian king, to amass a substantial army. In the winter of 324 Alexander carried out a savage punitive expedition against the Cossaeans in the hills of Luristan. The Macedonian army resented Alexanders attempt to change their culture and many mutinied. He began dressing like a Persian and adopted the practice of proskynesis, a Persian court custom that involved bowing down and kissing the hand of others, depending on their rank.