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The Rise of Macedon, c.359–323 BC

Alexander and the Persians: Darius' family, the satraps and the Epigonoi

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Overview

Recall questions on the treatment of the royal women, the safeguards on Persian governors, the adoption of Persian dress, the thirty thousand trained youths, the Susa marriages, and the fusion debate.

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Key term

What can be said for and against the view that Alexander pursued a policy of fusing Macedonians and Persians?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    How did the treatment of Darius' mother Sisygambis serve Alexander's interests?

    Model answer

    By keeping her in royal state and addressing her as mother he presented himself as the protector of the Achaemenid house, which made his eventual claim to the throne easier for Persians to accept.

  2. 2

    What happened to Darius' wife while she was in Alexander's keeping, and how did he respond?

    Model answer

    She died in 331 BC while still a captive, and Alexander is reported to have given her a magnificent funeral, which the tradition says moved Darius himself.

  3. 3

    Name two Persians appointed by Alexander to govern provinces.

    Model answer

    Mazaeus was made satrap of Babylonia and Abulites was left in charge at Susa.

  4. 4

    What safeguard did Alexander build into his appointment of Persian satraps?

    Model answer

    He separated the powers, leaving the civil government to the Persian but putting a Macedonian officer over the garrison and another over the finances.

  5. 5

    Why did Alexander keep the Persian administrative system rather than replace it?

    Model answer

    The empire was far too large to be governed by the few hundred Macedonians available, and the existing satrapies already collected the tribute on which his army depended.

  6. 6

    What did Alexander's adoption of Persian dress actually consist of?

    Model answer

    He took the diadem and elements of Persian royal costume while avoiding the trousers and the upright tiara that Greeks found most objectionable, producing a deliberately mixed style.

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