Alexander the Great: Difference between revisions
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==Biography== | ==Biography== | ||
===Rise to power=== | ===Rise to power=== | ||
Alexander the Great's empire was backed by the [[Order of the Ancients]], who had entrusted him with a [[Scepter of Alexander the Great|Staff of Eden]], explaining why Alexander was able to become so successful and undefeated.<ref name="Encyclopedia">''[[Assassin's Creed Encyclopedia]]''</ref><ref name="ACR">''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Abstergo Files]]: "File.0.02\Hst_Beginning"</ref> In addition to the Staff, which reinforced his rule, Alexander wielded the [[Trident of Eden]] in battle.<ref name="ACLD">''[[Assassin's Creed: Last Descendants]]'' – {{Cite|6 Sept 2016 | Alexander the Great's empire was backed by the [[Order of the Ancients]], who had entrusted him with a [[Scepter of Alexander the Great|Staff of Eden]], explaining why Alexander was able to become so successful and undefeated.<ref name="Encyclopedia">''[[Assassin's Creed Encyclopedia]]''</ref><ref name="ACR">''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Abstergo Files]]: "File.0.02\Hst_Beginning"</ref> In addition to the Staff, which reinforced his rule, Alexander wielded the [[Trident of Eden]] in battle.<ref name="ACLD">''[[Assassin's Creed: Last Descendants]]'' – {{Cite|6 Sept 2016}}</ref> | ||
During his successful conquest of the Achaemenid Empire, Alexander and his Macedonians entered [[Egypt]], freeing the land from Persian influence and being saluted as liberators by the populacy. There, Alexander also visited the [[Oracle of Amun]] in [[Siwa]], which prophesied his exploits and hailed him as Son of Ammon.<ref name="DT Alexander Ammon">''[[Discovery Tour: Ancient Egypt]]'' – [[Tours: Siwa]]: "Alexander the Great, Son of Ammon"</ref> | During his successful conquest of the Achaemenid Empire, Alexander and his Macedonians entered [[Egypt]], freeing the land from Persian influence and being saluted as liberators by the populacy. There, Alexander also visited the [[Oracle of Amun]] in [[Siwa]], which prophesied his exploits and hailed him as Son of Ammon.<ref name="DT Alexander Ammon">''[[Discovery Tour: Ancient Egypt]]'' – [[Tours: Siwa]]: "Alexander the Great, Son of Ammon"</ref> | ||
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Alexander also attempted to conquer the region of [[Cappadocia]] in Central [[Anatolia]], but failed due to his lengthy military campaigns. Instead, an autonomous and independent kingdom was instead established, led by its own king outside of Alexander's kingdom.<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Revelations'' – [[Database: Cappadocia]]</ref> | Alexander also attempted to conquer the region of [[Cappadocia]] in Central [[Anatolia]], but failed due to his lengthy military campaigns. Instead, an autonomous and independent kingdom was instead established, led by its own king outside of Alexander's kingdom.<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Revelations'' – [[Database: Cappadocia]]</ref> | ||
In October 331 BCE, after defeating the Persian king {{Wiki|Darius III}} at the {{Wiki|Battle of Gaugamela}}, Alexander entered the city of [[Babylon]] triumphantly and quickly captured it soon after.<ref name="Glyph 5" /> | In October 331 BCE, after defeating the Persian king {{Wiki|Darius III}} at the {{Wiki|Battle of Gaugamela}}, Alexander entered the city of [[Babylon]] triumphantly and quickly captured it soon after.<ref name="Glyph 5"/> | ||
Around 330 BCE, Alexander discovered the [[Herat Temple]], an ancient temple built by the [[Isu]], in [[Herat]], [[Afghanistan]]. He built the [[Herat Citadel]] atop its remains.<ref name="ACCI">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: India]]'' – [[What Lies Beneath]]</ref> | Around 330 BCE, Alexander discovered the [[Herat Temple]], an ancient temple built by the [[Isu]], in [[Herat]], [[Afghanistan]]. He built the [[Herat Citadel]] atop its remains.<ref name="ACCI">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: India]]'' – [[What Lies Beneath]]</ref> | ||
After conquering the Achaemenid Empire, Alexander set out to take over | After conquering the Achaemenid Empire, Alexander set out to take over [[India]]'s [[Punjab]] region. In the area between the {{Wiki|Jhelum River|Jhelum}} and {{Wiki|Chenab River}}s, he encountered the prince [[Porus]] in what would become known as the [[Battle of the Hydaspes]]. Despite the Punjab force's numerical superiority, including 200 [[elephant]]s, Alexander's troops flanked Porus' left side. The maneuver caused the elephants to panic, and Alexander's highly mobile cavalry proved too strong for the Punjab force. Presumably impressed with Porus' military elegance and spirit, Alexander allowed him to retain his kingdom after the battle. Porus became an ally and subordinate ruler of Alexander until sometime between 321 BCE and 315 BCE, when he was assassinated by Alexander's general [[Eudemus]].<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Initiates'' – [[Database: Battle of the Hydaspes]]<ref> | ||
During his reign, Alexander had created one of the largest empires in the world, and created a new {{Wiki|Hellenistic period|Hellenistic}} civilization by leaving Greek colonists in his conquered lands. As he continued his conquest of Asia, a [[Babylonian Brotherhood|group]] of proto-[[Assassins]] realized that Alexander's success could not be caused by military prowess alone, suspecting that he held the Staff.<ref name=" | During his reign, Alexander had created one of the largest empires in the world, and created a new {{Wiki|Hellenistic period|Hellenistic}} civilization by leaving Greek colonists in his conquered lands. As he continued his conquest of Asia, a [[Babylonian Brotherhood|group]] of proto-[[Assassins]] realized that Alexander's success could not be caused by military prowess alone, suspecting that he held the Staff.<ref name="FallOfTheGreat">''Assassin's Creed: Initiates'' – [[Database: Fall of the Great]]<ref> | ||
===Death=== | ===Death=== | ||
Thus, in 323 BCE, the proto-Assassin [[Iltani]] infiltrated | Thus, in 323 BCE, the proto-Assassin [[Iltani]] infiltrated [[Nebuchadnezzar II]]'s palace, where she poisoned Alexander.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref> Alexander died of the poisoning, and his empire soon began to crumble.<ref name="FallOfTheGreat"/> His body was interred alongside his Staff of Eden in a [[Tomb of Alexander the Great|tomb]] in [[Alexandria]], the city in [[Egypt]] that he founded.<ref name="ACO">''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]''</ref> The three prongs of his Trident of Eden were split after his death amongst his generals, including [[Seleucus I Nicator|Seleucus]] and [[Ptolemy I Soter|Ptolemy]].<ref name="ACLD"/> | ||
==Legacy== | ==Legacy== | ||
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===Modern times=== | ===Modern times=== | ||
Details of Alexander's life were later collected by the Assassin [[Clay Kaczmarek]] in 2012 while he was held captive by [[Abstergo Industries]] at their [[Animus Project laboratory]] in [[Rome]]. He then hid the information within the [[Animus|Animus 1.28]] in [[Glyphs|Glyph]] puzzles for his successor, [[Desmond Miles]].<ref name="Glyph 5">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' – [[Glyphs|Glyph]] #5: "Instruments of Power"</ref> Sometime in early September,<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Initiates'' – [[The Desmond Files]]</ref> Desmond solved the puzzle set titled "Instruments of Power", in which Alexander was included in a list of assassinated historic individuals revealed to have wielded a Staff of Eden.<ref name="Glyph 5"/> | |||
==Behind the scenes== | ==Behind the scenes== | ||
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==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
<gallery captionalign="center" position="center | <gallery captionalign="center" position="center" widths="180"> | ||
Rembrandt_alexander.jpg|''Alexander the Great'' by {{Wiki|Rembrandt}} | Rembrandt_alexander.jpg|''Alexander the Great'' by {{Wiki|Rembrandt}} | ||
AlexandertheGreat-Staff.jpg|''Entry of Alexander into Babylon'' by {{Wiki|Charles Le Brun}} | AlexandertheGreat-Staff.jpg|''Entry of Alexander into Babylon'' by {{Wiki|Charles Le Brun}} | ||
Revision as of 23:53, 24 February 2024
Alexander III of Macedon (356 BCE – 323 BCE), commonly known as Alexander the Great, was a King of Makedonia who conquered the Achaemenid Empire. For this act, he is heralded as one of the most successful conquerors in history.
Biography
Rise to power
Alexander the Great's empire was backed by the Order of the Ancients, who had entrusted him with a Staff of Eden, explaining why Alexander was able to become so successful and undefeated.[2][3] In addition to the Staff, which reinforced his rule, Alexander wielded the Trident of Eden in battle.[4]
During his successful conquest of the Achaemenid Empire, Alexander and his Macedonians entered Egypt, freeing the land from Persian influence and being saluted as liberators by the populacy. There, Alexander also visited the Oracle of Amun in Siwa, which prophesied his exploits and hailed him as Son of Ammon.[5]
Alexander also attempted to conquer the region of Cappadocia in Central Anatolia, but failed due to his lengthy military campaigns. Instead, an autonomous and independent kingdom was instead established, led by its own king outside of Alexander's kingdom.[6]
In October 331 BCE, after defeating the Persian king Darius III at the Battle of Gaugamela, Alexander entered the city of Babylon triumphantly and quickly captured it soon after.[7]
Around 330 BCE, Alexander discovered the Herat Temple, an ancient temple built by the Isu, in Herat, Afghanistan. He built the Herat Citadel atop its remains.[8]
After conquering the Achaemenid Empire, Alexander set out to take over India's Punjab region. In the area between the Jhelum and Chenab Rivers, he encountered the prince Porus in what would become known as the Battle of the Hydaspes. Despite the Punjab force's numerical superiority, including 200 elephants, Alexander's troops flanked Porus' left side. The maneuver caused the elephants to panic, and Alexander's highly mobile cavalry proved too strong for the Punjab force. Presumably impressed with Porus' military elegance and spirit, Alexander allowed him to retain his kingdom after the battle. Porus became an ally and subordinate ruler of Alexander until sometime between 321 BCE and 315 BCE, when he was assassinated by Alexander's general Eudemus.Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag Alexander died of the poisoning, and his empire soon began to crumble.[9] His body was interred alongside his Staff of Eden in a tomb in Alexandria, the city in Egypt that he founded.[10] The three prongs of his Trident of Eden were split after his death amongst his generals, including Seleucus and Ptolemy.[4]
Legacy
Antiquity
In 48 BCE, Aya and Bayek found the Tomb of Alexander the Great to help Cleopatra impress Julius Caesar. This allowed Caesar's ally Flavius Metellus, a Roman general and leader of the Order of the Ancients, to take Alexander the Great's Staff of Eden.[11] Following the Battle of the Nile, Cleopatra was crowned queen and possessed Alexander's Staff.[12]
Modern times
Details of Alexander's life were later collected by the Assassin Clay Kaczmarek in 2012 while he was held captive by Abstergo Industries at their Animus Project laboratory in Rome. He then hid the information within the Animus 1.28 in Glyph puzzles for his successor, Desmond Miles.[7] Sometime in early September,[13] Desmond solved the puzzle set titled "Instruments of Power", in which Alexander was included in a list of assassinated historic individuals revealed to have wielded a Staff of Eden.[7]
Behind the scenes
Alexander the Great is a historical figure first mentioned in Assassin's Creed II via the Glyph puzzles, he has subsequently been mentioned in succeeding titles but to date has made no physical appearance. In Assassin's Creed Chronicles: India he has his own Database entry.
The portrait of Alexander by Rembrandt used in the fifth Glyph puzzle of Assassin's Creed II is erroneously attributed to the Macedonian, as it is instead a portrait of Pallas Athene. The false identification is a common occurrence by scholars.[14] Rembrandt's painting Man in Armor, painted the same year 1655, bears the most resemblance to Alexander.[15]
According to the semi-legendary Alexander Romance, he was described as having heterochromia iridum,[16] a common characteristic among Sages of Aita.[17]
Gallery
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Alexander the Great by Rembrandt
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Entry of Alexander into Babylon by Charles Le Brun
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Alexander taming Bucephalus by François Schommer
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Alexander during the Battle of the Hydaspes
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19th century illustration of Alexander's funeral
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Alexander's sarcophagus in his tomb
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Top view of Alexander's sarcophagus and his Staff of Eden
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A painting on the northern wall depicting an infant Alexander being washed
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A painting on the northern wall depicting an adolescent Alexander with Aristotle
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A painting on the southern wall depicting Alexander standing triumphantly with soldiers
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A painting on the southern wall of Ptolemy Lagos kneeling before Alexander
Appearances
- Assassin's Creed II (first mentioned)
- Assassin's Creed: Revelations (first appearance) (painting only)
- Assassin's Creed: Initiates (painting only)
- Assassin's Creed Chronicles: India (mentioned only)
- Assassin's Creed: Last Descendants (mentioned only)
- Assassin's Creed: Origins – Desert Oath (mentioned only)
- Assassin's Creed: Origins (mentioned only)
- Discovery Tour: Ancient Egypt (painting only)
- Echoes of History (mentioned only)
- Assassin's Creed: Mirage (mentioned only)
References
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Initiates – Timeline
- ↑ Assassin's Creed Encyclopedia
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Revelations – Abstergo Files: "File.0.02\Hst_Beginning"
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Assassin's Creed: Last Descendants – [citation needed]
- ↑ Discovery Tour: Ancient Egypt – Tours: Siwa: "Alexander the Great, Son of Ammon"
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Revelations – Database: Cappadocia
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Assassin's Creed II – Glyph #5: "Instruments of Power"
- ↑ Assassin's Creed Chronicles: India – What Lies Beneath
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedFallOfTheGreat - ↑ Assassin's Creed: Origins
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Origins – Aya: Blade of the Goddess
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Origins – The Battle of the Nile
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Initiates – The Desmond Files
- ↑
Pallas Athene (painting) on Wikipedia
- ↑
List of paintings by Rembrandt on Wikipedia
- ↑
Alexander the Great on Wikipedia
- ↑ Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag – The Sage's Buried Secret
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