What was the mutiny of Alexander the Great?
In the Summer of 326, Alexander 's men refused to join their king in his attempt to reach the Ganges valley. An officer named Coenus spoke on behalf of the soldiers. The mutiny is described by the Greek author Arrian of Nicomedia in his Anabasis 5.28.1b-29.1.
What happened to Alexander the Great when he reached India?
Alexander voiced plans for further conquests in the Indian subcontinent, however, when his men reached the river Hyphasis, there was an open revolt. The mutiny ended with Alexander giving in to his men's wishes and turning back; he did not venture further into the Indian subcontinent as he intended.
Who was Alexander the Great?
Alexander the Great & The Opis Mutiny Alexander the Great is one of the most extraordinary individuals in history.
What caused friction between Alexander the Great and his army?
However, Alexander's adoption of Persian customs and eagerness to conquer all the known world sparked friction between the king and his army. The latter was the case with the Hyphasis mutiny. His men were tired and battle-weary, not wanting to venture further into India.
Why did Alexander the Great army mutiny?
Among the questions that complicate the reconstruction of the mutiny of Alexander's army at Opis in 324 BCE is the puzzling conduct of the troops. All sources agree that the mutiny was occasioned by Alexander's announcement that he was going to discharge home the old, the weak, and the disabled soldiers.
What was an action of Alexander that caused discontent and mutiny among his Macedonian troops?
In 324 BC tensions erupted with the mutiny at Opis, which was incited when Alexander proposed to recruit ten thousand Persian soldiers to replace those Macedonians who were wounded or elderly (Diodorus, Library 17.109.
Why did the Opis mutiny happen?
At Opis he faced a mutiny by his Macedonian troops, angered that he wanted to send some of them home, while appearing to give preference to his new Asian subjects, and adopting many of their customs.
What happened to Alexander the Great's army?
At Ecbatana, the Thessalians with Alexander's army were disbanded and sent home. Some remained with the army as mercenaries, yet these too were sent home a year later when the army reached the Oxus River.
Which river did Alexander soldiers refuse to cross?
Fearing the prospects of facing other powerful Indian armies and exhausted by years of campaigning, his army mutinied at the Hyphasis River (the modern Beas River), refusing to march further east.
Which river did Alexander's troops cross in Persia?
Alexander appointed the general Antipater as regent and headed for Persia with his army. They crossed the Hellespont, a narrow strait between the Aegean Sea and the Sea of Marmara, and faced Persian and Greek forces at the Granicus River. Victory went to Alexander and the Macedonians.
What is mutiny in history?
Mutiny is a revolt among a group of people (typically of a military, of a crew or of a crew of pirates) to oppose, change, or overthrow an organization to which they were previously loyal.
Is the Opis mutiny speech real?
But Arrian had access to eyewitness accounts which are now lost (principally Ptolemy and Nearchus), and modern historians generally agree that the speech was a real historical event, and that Arrian gives a good representation of its likely content.
What is the mutiny at Opis?
In October 539 BC, the troops of the Babylonian king Nabonidus (556–539 BC) defended Opis against the Persians commanded by Cyrus the Great (559–530 BC). The Babylonians were defeated and the native population revolted against its government.
Was Alexander the Great White?
Plutarch on Alexander the Great's Appearance Whereas he was of a fair colour, as they say, and his fairness passed into ruddiness on his breast particularly, and in his face. So it appears Alexander was a blond, rather than ginger.
How did Alexander the Great treat his troops?
He generally dressed like his soldiers and spent time with them, and was often found walking through the camp, stopping to talk and listen to groups of men. This outward appearance of love and concern, allied with his courage and determination, evoked great affection from his soldiers.
Did Alexander the Great lose any battles?
In 15 years of conquest Alexander never lost a battle. From his first victory at age 18, Alexander gained a reputation of leading his men to battle with impressive speed, allowing smaller forces to reach and break the enemy lines before his foes were ready.
What effect did Alexander's conquests have on Greece?
More importantly, Alexander's conquests spread Greek culture, also known as Hellenism, across his empire. In fact, Alexander's reign marked the beginning of a new era known as the Hellenistic Age because of the powerful influence that Greek culture had on other people.
What was the OPIS mutiny?
Another mutiny that took place later in Alexander's career was the Opis Mutiny. At Opis in 324 BCE, Alexander tried to decommission his aging and unfit Macedonian veterans, but the Macedonians did not take kindly to this.
What is mutiny in history?
Mutiny is a revolt among a group of people (typically of a military, of a crew or of a crew of pirates) to oppose, change, or overthrow an organization to which they were previously loyal.
What did Alexander the Great do after the Persian Empire fell?
After subduing all of the Persian Empire, his army marched east and got as far as India before turning back home to Macedon. But he never made it home. At just 32 years old, Alexander died in Persia in the palace of Nebuchadnezzar II in Babylon from a sudden and mysterious illness.
Where did Alexander the Great reach the Beas?
Museum of Archaeology, Istanbul, Turkey. / Photo by Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin, AHE, Creative Commons. Following Alexander’s victory at the Siege of Sangala, he and his men reached the river Hyphasis, alternatively known as the Beas. According to Arrian:
Where did Alexander the Great build his garrison?
Alexander placed a garrison on the abandoned portion of the Aornos Rock. The city of Nysa asked Alexander to recognize their freedom and independence, which Alexander granted and made allies of them, acquiring 300 horsemen. He also had a base in Taxila, after promising to help Taxiles against his enemy, King Porus.
What was the name of the battle that Alexander the Great won?
Introduction. The so-called Hyphasis Mutiny was a conflict between Alexander the Great (356-323 BCE) and his army following their victory at the river Hydaspes in 326 BCE. Alexander voiced plans for further conquests in the Indian subcontinent, however, when his men reached the river Hyphasis, there was an open revolt.
What rock did Alexander the Great flee to?
The Indian Campaign. When Alexander marched across the Hindu Kush to India in 327 BC, the denizens of Bazira feared for their lives, fled to the Aornos Rock, reputed to be impregnable so that not even Heracles was able to capture it.
What was the country beyond the hyphasis?
The country beyond the Hyphasis was said to be prosperous and its inhabitants able farmers and brave fighters. …. These Indians also had many more elephants than any other of their countrymen, and what is more, elephants of surpassing size and courage. These reports stirred Alexander’s desire to go farther.
How long did Alexander the Great stay in his tent?
However, he withdrew to his tent for three days and sensed a change of heart within his army. Alexander claimed the omens were unfavorable for further advancement into India and so he ended his march. The army rejoiced at this news. Alexader had them build twelve great altars to the Olympian gods and left King Porus in charge of this easternmost territory.
What was Alexander the Great hoping to do?
He was hoping to outdo Heracles and Dionysus or achieve glory on par with these mythical figures. Alexander went on to remind his troops that, on equal terms, he fought alongside them and was willing to share the spoils of war with them. If any left now, they would not partake in the wealth.
When did Alexander the Great become king?
June 18, 2020. Alexander the Great is one of the most extraordinary individuals in history. He became king of the fringe Greek kingdom of Macedonia in 336 BC at the age of just 20, and before his death twelve years later, had imposed Macedonian overlordship on Greece, destroyed the mighty Persian Empire and led an army deep into modern Afghanistan ...
Who wrote the speech to the Roman army?
Alexander dealt ruthlessly with the ringleaders, before (according to 'The Anabasis' by Roman historian Arrian) making a speech to his army in which he berated his troops for their disloyalty. The speech, as it has reached us, was no doubt written by Arrian rather than Alexander.
Was Arrian's speech a real event?
But Arrian had access to eyewitness accounts which are now lost (principally Ptolemy and Nearchus), and modern historians generally agree that the speech was a real historical event, and that Arrian gives a good representation of its likely content.
What did Alexander the Great do to create a master race?
Alexander planned to create a "master race" through the intermixing of Macedonians and Persians. He and 80 officers wedded Persian women to get the ball rolling in the hay. Besides giving off disturbing 1930s Germany vibes that his troops obviously wouldn't have picked up on, the policy made the Macedonian worry that their status was in jeopardy. While staying in the ancient Mesopotamian city of Opis, Alexander made the controversial decision to send Macedonian veterans home, sparking fears that he intended to relocate the capital of his empire to Asia.
Who conquered an island alone?
No man is an island unto himself, and no king conquers an island alone. During the 4th century B.C., no man understood that better than Alexander the Great. Armed with a military juggernaut, the Macedonian monarch turned islands, mainlands, and almost every other land in the known world into his empire. Alexander recognized that rigorous discipline, unity, and uniformity were the lifeblood of his killing machine. Per the Ancient History Encyclopedia, the king proclaimed, "Remember upon the conduct of each depends the fate of all."
Who lost the Battle of Hydespas?
Hence the truth is Alexander lost the battle of Hydespas .
Who won the Battle of Puru?
The truth is Puru the great won the battle and Alexander the loser lost.
Was Alexander not so great defeated?
No Alexander not so great was defeated by Puru the Great . I will give some points to you :- 1. In the battle he was first time facing Elephants so he was astonished . Elephants single handedly take away his half of troops.
What was the Mutiny at Opis?
The Mutiny at Opis. [Not far south of modern Baghdad.] Alexander called together the Macedonians and declare d that he was discharging from the campaign and sending back to their country those who were unfit for service because of age or wounds suffered.
What happened in August 324?
Arrian on the mutiny at Opis. In August 324, Alexander 's soldiers revolted: they were discontent because of their king's orientalism. The Greek author Arrian of Nicomedia describes this event in section 7.8-9 and 7.11 of his Anabasis. The translation was made by M.M. Austin.
Was Alexander's Persian dress unreasonable?
It was not unreasonable for them to take exception to Alexander's words, and they had had many grievances throughout the expedition. There was the recurring annoyance of Alexander's Persian dress which pointed in the same direction, and the training of the barbarian "Successors" in the Macedonian style of warfare, note.
Who wrote the mutiny?
The mutiny is described by the Greek author Arrian of Nicomedia in his Anabasis 5.28.1b-29.1. The translation was made by M.M. Austin.
What happened to Arrian in 326?
Arrian on the mutiny at the Hyphasis. In the Summer of 326, Alexander 's men refused to join their king in his attempt to reach the Ganges valley.
The Indian Campaign
Discipline in The Macedonian Army
- In the Macedonian army, soldiers swore an oath to their king-commanders, but that oath focused on the general allegiance of troops to their respective commanders rather than obedience to certain orders. If oaths were not an important aspect of the army's discipline, training and drill undoubtedly were. Alexander's father, Philip II of Macedon (r. 359-336 BCE) demanded an unpre…
The Opis Mutiny
- Another mutiny that took place later in Alexander's career was the Opis Mutiny. At Opis in 324 BCE, Alexander tried to decommission his aging and unfit Macedonian veterans, but the Macedonians did not take kindly to this. According to Arrian, the king's character was adversely affected by the obsequies brought upon him by his Asian subjects, and the Macedonians believe…
Conclusion
- While the reasons for the two mutinies were different, “these two events caused Alexander problems as both king and commander….because they were quarrels that poisoned the relationship between the king/commander and his troops…and thus threatened to compromise future control of the army”(Carney, 42). However, there has been much debate among scholars …