Eastern Policies Of Alexander The Great

Alexander the Great is one of the greatest conquerors in the history,and he established a huge empire across Europe,Asia and Africa through military conquest from 334 BC to 323 BC.His attitudes toward the conquered areas,the managements of the empire,as well as his conquest aims,are all reflected in his eastern policy.Upon the conquest line,the author divides the eastern policy into four phases,namely,the Pan-Hellenic policy from Asia Minor to Egypt,the turning point from Mesopotamia to Persepolis,"King of Asia" in central Asia and north India,and the autocratic monarchy on his way back.From Asia Minor to Egypt,Alexander overthrew the tyrants,and established democracy in the Asian cities,justifying this war in the name of revenging Persia.After he defeated Darius in Gaugamela,Alexander declared the ruin of Persia and the end of the revenging policy in an unmoral way-burning the Persepolis.In Central Asia and North India,according to the changed political situation,the special terrain and climate, Alexander cooperated with the local nobles in order to achieve the ambition of "King of Asia".In the course of return,Alexander's eastern tendency became stronger in order to strengthen his absolute power.In the army,he recruited a large number of the Asians and gave them high official positions.He followed the Persian kings in ritual.He also held a large wedding ceremony between the Macedonians and the Iranians.In 324 BC, Alexander suppressed the riots in Opis by the support of the Iranians.All these measures indicated that Alexander was no longer the Macedonian king,but became the absolute monarchy.In short,the essence of Alexander's eastern policy was to strengthen his personal power.In this sense,Alexander was a pragmatist in his eastern policy.However,he himself also had a tendency of heroism.For example,he always assimilated himself with Achillcs in the Trojan War,and at times regarded himself as Dionysus.Therefore,in my opinion,Alexander is a pragmatist with a complex heroism in the eastern policy.