Chronology

c.498–454

Reign of Alexander I “Philhellene.”

c.454–413

Reign of Perdiccas II.

413–399

Reign of Archelaus I.

393–369

Reign of Amyntas III.

360/59–336

Reign of Philip II.

359–338

Reign of Artaxerxes III of Persia.

357

Marriage of Philip II to Olympias of Epirus.

356

Philip founds Philippi. Victory at Olympic Games.

356

c. July 20

Birth of Alexander.

356–346

Third Sacred War.

352

Philip acquires control of Thessaly.

348

Philip sacks Olynthus.

346

Peace of Philocrates. Philip celebrates Pythian Games.

344/3

Persia reconquers Egypt (in revolt since 404).

343

Aristotle tutors Alexander at Mieza.

342–339

Philip gains control of Thrace.

340/39

Alexander, as regent during Philip’s absence at siege of Byzantium, defeats the Maedians and founds Alexandroupolis.

338

August

Philip defeats Greek coalition led by Athens and Thebes at Chaeroneia.

337

spring

Philip founds League of Corinth, is chosen leader of Panhellenic expedition against Persian empire.

336

Accession of Darius III of Persia. Philip dispatches forces under Parmenion to Asia Minor.

336

?Oct.

Philip assassinated at Aegae.

336–323

Reign of Alexander III the Great.

336/5

Alexander recognized as Philip’s successor as head of League of Corinth and commander of Persian expedition.

335

late spring

Alexander campaigns in Thrace against Triballi and in Danube region.

June–Aug.

Campaigns against the Illyrian chieftains Cleitus and Glaucias.

early Oct.

Destruction of Thebes.

334

spring

Alexander’s army crosses into Asia.

May

Battle of the river Granicus.

May–Aug.

Campaigns in western Asia Minor; Greek-Macedonian fleet disbanded.

Aug.–Sept.

Siege of Halicarnassus.

autumn–winter

Campaigns in Caria, Lycia, Pamphylia.

333

spring

Advance to Great Phrygia (Gordian Knot incident).

summer

To Ancyra, through Cilician Gates; to Tarsus and Soli.

Nov.

Battle of Issus in Cilicia.

Dec.

Parmenion captures Damascus.

332

Jan.–July/Aug.

Siege of Tyre.

Sept.–Nov.

Siege of Gaza.

Nov.

Alexander recognized as pharaoh of Egypt.

331

Jan.–Mar.

Foundation of (Egyptian) Alexandria (official “birthday” April 7).

Consultation of oracle of Ammon at Siwah oasis.

spring

From Memphis to Tyre, reorganization of financial administration.

July–Aug.

To Thapsacus.

autumn

“Battle of Mice” (Antipater defeats Spartan king, Agis III, at Megalopolis).

Sept. 20

Evening eclipse of moon.

Oct. 1

Battle of Gaugamela.

Oct.–Dec.

Progress through Babylonia and Sittacene (military reorganization) to Persepolis (Uxian campaign and battle at the Persian Gates).

330

spring

Campaign in interior of Iran.

Apr./May

Return to Persepolis, burning of palace, and departure for Media.

early June

Allied Greek contingents dismissed at Ecbatana.

June

To Rhagae (ancient Teheran) and Caspian Gates.

July

Capture of Darius III’s body. Advance to border of Hyrcania. Reception of Nabazarnes and Phrataphernes. Visit of the Amazon queen (alleged). Advance to Zadracarta. Alexander starts acting as Great King; adopts mixed oriental dress.

Aug.

Toward Bactria, then diversion to Artacoana (Herat). Revolt of Satibarzanes.

Sept.

Trial and execution of Philotas, followed by murder of Parmenion. Trial of Amyntas and his brothers.

winter

Through land of Drangaeans and Ariaspians, into Arachosia; through Paropamisadae to foot of Hindu Kush.

330/29

winter

Foundation of Alexandria-by-the-Caucasus (near Begram and Charikar).

329

spring

Crossing of Hindu Kush, to Drapsaca (Kunduz) and Bactra; older men and Thessalian volunteers sent home. Crossing of Oxus river.

summer

Capture of Bessus (Persian pretender) by Ptolemy; punishment of Bessus. Advance to Maracanda (Samarkand), summer capital of Sogdiana, to river Jaxartes (Syr-darya). Foundation of Alexandria Eschate (Khodjend). Revolt of local Scythian tribesmen and of Sogdians, campaign against defected Spitamenes.

329/8

winter

At Bactra Alexander receives embassies from Scythians and Chorasmians. Capture of the Rock of Sogdiana (Rock of Arimazes).

328

spring

Systematic pacification of Sogdiana begins; guerrilla warfare against Massagetae of Turkestan steppes and against Spitamenes.

late summer

Return to Maracanda.

Nov.

Alexander murders Cleitus at Maracanda. Spitamenes killed by Massagetae.

328/7

winter

Alexander quarters at Nautaca.

327

spring

Capture of Rock of Chorienes (Koh-i-Nor). Alexander marries Roxane, daughter of Oxyartes. Return to Bactria; defeat of last opposition. Proskynesis episode; Pages’ Conspiracy; arrest and execution of Callisthenes.

late spring

Departure from Bactria; recrossing of Hindu Kush to Alexandria by-the-Caucasus.

late

Invasion of India begins.

327/6

winter

Alexander among the Assacenians (Swat and Buner); capture of Massaga. Advance to Indus river and Rock of Aornus (Pir-Sar).

326

Progress to Taxila

May

Battle of the Hydaspes (Jhelum) against Porus (rajah of the Pauravas).

May–June

Halt in Porus’s kingdom.

late June

Advance to Acesines river and Hyphasis (Beas) river. The army refuses to advance beyond the Hyphasis. Return to the Hydaspes. Death of Coenus. Fleets prepared.

Nov.

Beginning of descent of Indus river system.

325

Reduction of Mallian tribe; near-fatal wounding of Alexander. Journey to the Indian Ocean.

July

Pattala (?Hyderabad) reached.

Aug.

Descent from Pattala begins.

Aug.–Nov.

Approach to march through Gedrosian desert (Makran).

Sept.

Alexander reaches Oreitae.

Sept./Oct.

Nearchus leaves with fleet; Alexander marches through Gedrosia and reaches Pura.

mid Dec.

Nearchus reaches Hormozeia (Hormuz).

late Dec.

Alexander and Nearchus reunited in Carmania (?at Gulashird).

325/4

winter

Executions of satraps and generals; flight of Harpalus.

324

Jan.–Mar.

Nearchus leaves Hormozeia, then enters Arabian Gulf.

?Jan.

Alexander reaches Pasargadae.

Mar.

Alexander and Nearchus reunite at Susa.

Apr.

Susa weddings. Paying off of soldiers’ debts. Voyage up Tigris.

June

Mutiny at Opis (Baghdad). Banquet of reconciliation.

July

Harpalus arrives at Athens, hands over 700 talents.

Aug.

Promulgation by Nicanor of Alexander’s Exiles’ Decree at Olympic Games.

Oct.

Death of Hephaestion at Ecbatana.

324/3

winter

Campaign against Cossaean nomads.

323

early

Alexander in Babylon. Preparations for Arabian expedition. Visits of Greek envoys acknowledging Alexander’s divinity.

June 11

Alexander dies at Babylon, aged nearly 33, having reigned just over twelve and a half years

323/2

Lamian War in Greece.

320

Political settlement at Triparadeisus (northern Syria).

319

Death of Antipater. Beginning of the struggle for power between Cassander and Polyperchon.

317

Deaths of Philip III and Adea-Eurydice. Eumenes betrayed to Antigonus at Gabiene; his death.

316

Death of Alexander’s mother, Olympias.

310

Death of Alexander IV at Amphipolis.

306

Battle of Salamis. Antigonus and Demetrius assume the royal title; other Successors follow suit.

301

Battle of Ipsus. Death of Antigonus the One-Eyed.