‘Amphipolis’, circa 336-323 BCE
Young head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress / ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ, two eagles standing facing one another on thunderbolt.
Price 155; HGC 3.1, 906. 1.32g, 11mm, 3h.
What is there to say about perhaps the greatest general in history? Although he ruled a scant thirteen years, he was never defeated in battle and he managed to conquer half the known world, and some of the unknown. He took down the largest empire at the time, then moved into India. His empire had profound effects from Italy to India for hundreds of years after his death.
I’ve read more about Alexander the Great than I have of any other historical figure. He was a complicated person, beyond courageous in battle, kind to those he subjugated, but also quick to judgement. He led many attacks in the front line, and more than a few battle was won by his taking no heed to danger. Multiple times he was wounded and feared killed.
It must have been difficult, though, leading an army who worshipped him, but also who didn’t agree with many of his ideals. Alexander truly wanted a meshing of the world, while most of his soldiers just wanted booty. As his campaign became ever longer, conspiracies came out for his death, and by the end Alexander was truly paranoid. He had already killed several of his closest generals and friends, including Parmenion, Philotas, and Kleitos the Black.
When I first started collecting coins, a tetradrachm from Alexander’s lifetime was one of my top targets. It took some time to achieve, as they always attract attention, but finally I won one. I now own two tetradrachms, two drachms, two units, and a rare diobol from his lifetime.
True to form, his monetary system lasted in parts of Greece and Asia Minor until over two hundred years after his death. The city of Alexandria was named by him, and still stands as a great city in Egypt.
Other lifetime coins of Alexander the Great.
Tetradrachm AR 24 mm, 16.80 g, 7 h
Susa, struck under Koinos, circa 324-323 BCE.
Price 3829
AR Tetradrachm 16.68g, 27mm, 2h
Struck under Stamenes or Archon
Babylon, circa 324/3 BCE
Price 3599; Müller 670.
Amphipolis ca 330-323 BCE
Æ Half Unit 14,7mm, 4.40g
Head of Herakles r., wearing lion skin. R/ Eagle standing r., head l., on thunderbolt
Price 28
July 20
Alexander the Great is born in Pella, Macedon
Alexander the Great obtains the horse Bucephalus.
Alexander the Great begins tutoring with Aristotle.
Alexander drives the Maedi tribe from Macedonian territory while his father Philip II wages a campaign against the Thracians.
Alexander the Great flees Macedon after his father Philip II marries a woman whose heir could be a threat to his throne.
Pixodaros offers his daughter to Philip III Arrhidaios. Alexander the Great offers his hand instead and when Philip II hears about the matter, he calls it off.
October 25
Alexander the Great becomes King of Macedon when his father, Philip II, is murdered at the wedding of his sister Kleopatra and Alexander I Molossos.
Alexander the Great puts down balkan revolts.
Alexander the Great demolishes Thebes after a rebellion.
Alexander the Great crosses from Sestos to Abydos. He then visits Troy and returns to Abydos. On his way, he sacrifices at the tomb of Achilles at Achilleion.
The Battle of the Granicus, during which Alexander the Great defeated the Persians, and after which Adramytteion comes under his control.
Alexander the Great visits the temple to Protesilaos at Elaios.
Parmenion, a general of Alexander the Great, takes Gryneion, burns it, and sells the inhabitants as slaves.
Alexander the Great besieges and eventually takes Halikarnassos, which is strongly defended by Memnon of Rhodes.
Antigonos Monophthalmos serves as commander of the allied infantry under Alexander the Great.
Antigonos is appointed satrap of Phrygia by Alexander the Great.
Alexander the Great departs for Persia and leaves Antipater as regent of Macedonia.
Alexander the Great captures Perge, then marches on to Aspendos. The inhabitants agree to taxes in exhange for being left alone, but as Alexander continues to Side and Sillyon, he learns that Aspendos did not ratify the taxes. Enraged, he turns his army around. Aspendos quickly surrenders, but this time Alexander gives them far harsher terms.
Exiles from Herakleia Pontika beg Alexander to remove Dionysios and restore their city to democracy. To protect his interests, Dionysios reaches out to Kleopatra, and on her behalf Alexander leaves him in place.
Alexander the Great besieges Gaza for five months before finally taking it. He is badly wounded in the head during the encounter. He resettles the city with Bedouins.
Alexander the Great enters Egypt, where he is hailed as a liberator. He sacrifices to the gods at Memphis.
Androkles of Amathos, Pnytagoras of Salamis, and Pasikrates of Kourion join Alexander the Great at the Siege of Tyre, where their qinqueremes are destroyed.
April
Alexandria, Egypt founded by Alexander the Great.
Alexander the Great sends an exploratory mission to the Arabian Peninsula while preparing for his campaign in Mesopotamia.
Alexander the Great enters Babylon after defeating Darius III at the Battle of Gaugamela.
April
May
Alexander the Great leaves Egypt in pursuit of the Persians.
October 1
Alexander the Great defeats Darius III at the Battle of Gaugamela.
326 BCE
July
Alexander the Great stops at Hekatompylos.
Alexander the Great loots Persepolis.
August
Alexandria Eschate founded by Alexander the Great as his furthest outpost.
Alexander the Great invades Baktria, defeating Bessus (the satrap of Bactria who declared himself king after Darius III’s death) and taking control of the region.
Alexander marries Roxana, a Baktrian noblewoman, consolidating his control over the local elite and fortifying his hold on Baktria.
May
Alexander the Great defeats Poros at the Battle of the Hydaspes. His horse Bucephalus dies at its conclusion. Antigenes and Seleukos command hypaspists (special infantry) who cross the Hydaspes with Alexander.
The Silver Shields founded in India by Alexander the Great with Antigenes as their commander.
October
Death of Hephaistion, the best friend and probable lover of Alexander the Great.
Alexander the Great discharges wounded and elderly veterans at Opis, including Antigenes, Krateros, Polyperchon, and White Kleitos.
Alexander the Great orders Krateros to replace Antipater as regent of Macedonia.
Alexander plans an expedition to Arabia to explore and possibly conquer parts of the peninsula, but dies before they leave.
June 11
Alexander the Great dies in Babylon, sparking the Wars of the Diadochi among his generals.