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The Balkan campaign of Alexander the Great
took place in 335, against a number of rebellious vassals of the Macedonian
kingdom. Alexander successfully pacified each in turn, leaving him free to
begin the long planned invasion of Persia. In 336, while attending the wedding
of his daughter by Olympias, Cleopatra and Olympias' brother, Alexander I of
Epirus at Aegae, Philip II was assassinated by the captain of his bodyguard,
Pausanias. Philip's son, and previously designated heir, Alexander was
proclaimed king by the Macedonian noblemen and army. News of Philip's death
roused many states into revolt including Thebes, Athens, Thessaly and the
Thracian tribes to the north of Macedon. When news of the revolt reached
Alexander he responded quickly. Though his advisors advised him to use
diplomacy, Alexander mustered the Macedonian cavalry of 3,000 men and rode
south towards Thessaly, Macedon's immediate neighbor to the south. When he
found the Thessalian army occupying the pass between Mount Olympus and Mount
Ossa, he had the men ride through Mount Ossa and, when the Thessalians awoke,
they found Alexander at their rear. The Thessalians surrendered and added their
cavalry to Alexander's force as he rode down towards the Peloponnese. Alexander
stopped at Thermopylae, where he was recognised as the leader of the Sacred
League before heading south to Corinth. Athens sued for peace and Alexander
received the envoy and pardoned anyone involved with the uprising. At Corinth,
he was given the title 'Hegemon' of the Greek forces against the Persians.
While at Corinth, he heard the news of the Thracian rising to the north.
Opponents: Macedonians versus Thracians Illyrians Getae
Commanders and leaders:
Alexander the Great, Cleitus,
Glaucias Syrmus
Strength:
Macedonians - 12,000 heavy infantry, 8,000 light infantry, 3,000 cavalry (4.000
infantry, 1.500 cavalry versus Getae)
Getae - 14,000 men
Before crossing to Asia, Alexander wanted to safeguard his northern borders
and, in the spring of 335, he advanced into Thrace to deal with the revolt,
which was led by the Illyrians and Triballi. He was reinforced along the way by
the Agriani, a Thracian tribe under the command of Alexander's friend,
Langarus. The Macedonian army marched up to Mount Haemus, where they met a
Thracian garrison manning the heights. The Thracians had constructed a palisade
of carts, which they intended to throw upon the approaching Macedonians.
Alexander ordered his heavy infantry to march in loose formation and, when the
carts were thrown, either to open the ranks or lie flat on the ground with
their shields over them. The Macedonian archers shot and when the Macedonian
heavy infantry reached the top of the mountain they routed the Thracians. The
Macedonian phalanx at the "Battle of the Carts" against the Thracians
in 335 Meanwhile, a large Triballian army led by their king, Syrmus, advanced
upon the Macedonian rear. The Triballians retreated to a gorge, where they were
drawn out by Alexander's light infantry. On the open ground, they were crushed
by Alexander's infantry and cavalry, leaving behind 3,000 dead.
The West Thracian Triballian king Syrmus took refuge on Peuce Island in the
Danube Delta when pursued by Alexander the Great. Alexander brought ships up
the Danube to use in an assault on the island. The attempts failed due to the
swift current of the river, steep banks, and fierce defense. Eventually the
Macedonians abandoned their attacks on Peuce and instead crossed into the
territory of the Getae. The Macedonians marched to the Danube River where they
encountered the Getae tribe on the opposite shore. As Alexander's ships failed
to enter the river, Alexander's army made rafts out of their leather tents. A
force of 4,000 infantry and 1,500 cavalry crossed the river, to the amazement
of the Getae army of 14,000 men. The Getae army retreated after the first
cavalry skirmish, leaving their town to the Macedonian army.
Illyria:
Main article: Siege of Pelium
The Siege of Pelium was undertaken by Alexander the Great against the Illyrian
tribes of what is modern day Albania. It was critical for Alexander to take
this pass as it provided easy access to Illyria and Macedonia, which was
urgently needed in order to quell the unrest in Greece at this time in Athens
and Thebes. This was an important point of demarcation in Alexander's early
reign, as it established him among the Danubian tribes to the north as a
serious monarch to be reckoned with, just as he would later establish this
precedent for the Greek city states under his hegemony. Taking this place
allowed Alexander to march his army to southern Greece quickly, which would
eventually result in the total destruction of Thebes.
Thebes:
Main article:
Battle of Thebes:
The Battle of Thebes was a battle that took place between Alexander III of
Macedon and the Greek city state of Thebes in 335 immediately outside of and in
the city proper. After having been made Hegemon of the League of Corinth,
Alexander had marched to the north to deal with revolts in Illyria and Thrace.
The garrison in Macedonia was weakened and Thebes declared its independence.
The Thebans refused to submit on merciful terms, and he assaulted the city,
razed it to the ground, and sold all the survivors into slavery. With the
destruction of Thebes, mainland Greece again acquiesced in Alexander's rule.
Alexander was now finally free to undertake the Persian campaign which had been
planned for so long by his father.
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