Alexandria[]
Birth and rise of Alexander[]
20th Jule 356 BCE was big day for the whole world. That day was born Alexander of Macedonian, son of Philip II. and Olympia, future leader of great empire. King Philip II. most important army commander, general Parmenion, became godfather of Alexander and his close friend. As Alexander rised on Philip court, he got Aristotle as mentor and teacher and he became close friend of Hephastion, one of talented young man and rider. During his youth, Alexander became good swordsman, fighter, very clever child and intelligent young man. After one of military training, general Parmenion gave him important gift. Spartan sword of King Leonidas. Sword lost after battle of Thermopylae, now became sword of Alexander, future king of Macedonian throne. Meanwhile, 9th October 339 BCE, attempt of coup led by Olympia, Char of Athenian, Plutarchos of Eritrea and Eubulos escalated when heavy armed troops tried to kill Philip II. This coup became important in Alexander life, because of fail. Olympia was arrested and Philip began preparing war against Athenes, war for revenge and for defend of Macedonia. Alexander was really hurt because of this treason, but his love for his father strenghtened.
He, at only age 15, helped his father with strategy against Athenians and suggested many important actions to weaken of Athen. He went to Athenia with Paris, close aide of his father and aide for foreign affairs. In Athenes, Alexander met Miranda, young slave-girl and ex-princess of Sparta. She was forced to exile with her mother when her mother denied to kill newborn deformed child. Miranda father, king Dioderen smashed all resistance, exiled his family and married with young and dangerous Thracian woman. Alexander ordered Paris to bought Miranda from slavery and promised to help her with reclaiming throne against Dioderen. Miranda then become his companion. Meanwhile, Paris met with important Athenians politicians and informed them about coup attempted by general Char of Athenian, tyrran Plutarchos and banker Eubulos. During next night in tavern, whole company of Macedonians is under attack by Spartan mercenaries and Athenian elite troops. However, they are repelled and Alexander kill few Athenian soldiers. His first fight experience. Because of sword of king Leonidas, Spartan mercenaries began to protect Alexander and his company and take them to dock from where they return to Pella, capital city of Macedonia. Alexander began forming his own elite unit, Namahrans ("Those who do not know death" ... "Those who never met death") from all good troops which will meet, including Spartan mercenaries.
After this, Alexander joined Parmenion army forces which besieged Byzantion, border city between Greece, Macedonia and Persia. Attack on Byzantion was Alexander suggest to demonstrate power of Macedonian army. Under Parmenion and Alexander leadership, Macedonians captured Byzantion and also repelled Persian attack on city. After return to Pella, Alexander waiting for Macedonian army preparing to war and also want to began coup against Dioderen. He also became weapon inventor and create "Fire Bottles", bottles with liquid explosives.
In Sparta, Alexander, Miranda and Spartan Namahrans found ruined city-state... poverty, corruption, decline of military and unity, corrupted king and court and peoples full of hate and hopes for return of princess Miranda. Alexander successfully united Spartan military under Miranda leadership and forced Dioderen to exile.
From victory to ruling - December 339 BC to October 336 BC.[]
After fall of Dioderen corrupted regime, Spartan army promised loyalty and support to Macedonian army. Spartan army started march from west to capture Athenians territories and encircle Athens. Parmenion army moving from north and encircled city from north. Athenes were heavily fortified with strong military garrison and enough of supplies and supply routes, so Alexander became inventive military commander and get poisons from one old woman who became his close aide for weapons of mass destruction. Alexander poisoned water supplies and in just few days, many Athenians committed suicide or killed their comrades in hallucinations. Only few hundreds Spartans and Macedonians died, but Athenes was conquered, their territory divided and Philip II. gave Athenes to Alexander and appointed him as governor of Athens.
During war, Aristotel was killed by Char and his troops and also, Char destroyed Platonian Academy, killed many scientists and burned many books, because he knew about Alexander love to knowledge and science. Because of that, Alexander had not any mercy with Char and crucified him in Athenes. However, with Plutarchos who was in younger age librarian had mercy and appointed him as one of library manager. Eubulos escaped.
During Alexander ruling in Athenes, Philip II. started planing massive invasion to Persia, for destroying Persian empire and liberate Greek cities in Persia. Because of that, he needed massive military support and one of his supporter was Romanian general Valerian Camillius who send 40 thousands troops and 20 thousands archery-riders from East Asia. However, he gave dangerous condition ... Philip must marry his daughter Cleopatra and remove heir right of Alexander. Philip is concerned but agree. However, after few weeks, he went to Athene. He founded new rebuilt and rich city, liberated from corruption and poverty and with many important structures. All thanks to Alexander. So, Philip self-sacrifice, because he knew his son have real right to take power in empire.
After agree, Alexander with heavy heart killing his father on marriage feast in fight provoked by Camillius who became useful idiot in this case for his own unluckiness. Then, he exiled Camillius family and take throne as new king. He got support from all. From generals, from poor peoples and also from aristocracy. He purged kingdom from corruption and established strict rule of right and laws.
Italian campaign - December 336 BC to February 335 BC.[]
After consolidation of power and creation Macedonian-Sparta alliance, Alexander want to revenge against Rome and Valerian Camillius. He also want to take control over important agricultural areas and build cities along coasts of Adriatic sea. During Italian campaign, his "Department of Special Weapons" start creating first chemical and biological weapons against Alexander enemies. General Antipater was appointed as commander of "Heavy Weapons Units". During his campaign and move through Dalmatia, volunteer families built important cities on coast and became prosperous harbour and trade cities. Economy of kingdom under Alexander start prospering and rising.
During this time, however Alexander is betrayed. Spartan volunteer unit of 5 thousands men informed Alexander about their secret orders from queen Miranda to kill Alexander during siege of Rome or in other fight with Roman army. They reveled this because they are loyal to alliance and they said Miranda did it because she is worry about strong Macedonian influence over Sparta. And also, Persian agent warned Roman senate about Alexander army, because he got secret information from Miranda. Alexander is enraged and his army start sadistic conquering campaign in Italia. Cities resisting to Macedonian army are captured and burned down, all peoples enslaved or killed. But cities who welcome Alexander as liberator are very generously gifted. City Terni became governing province city of Italian provinces. After few weeks of march, Alexander attacked Rome with his Carthaginian allies. However, Carthaginian insane king gave order to attack earlier and then also to attack Alexander armies. His forces are repelled and he is killed. Carthaginian army was destroyed during this battle, not by Roman enemies, but by Macedonian allies. Carthago leadership sent many tons of food and gold as sorry for king treason. Alexander accepted gifts and pardoned king treason. Alexander attack on Rome was also successful because of using "heavy weapons" as ballista, catapults and "Fire Bottles". During last fight, Alexander killed Valerian Camillus and burned down whole city. Rome ceased exist and never was rebuilt.
Ruling and Persian campaign - April 335 BC to September 335 BC.[]
After strategic victory in Italia and uniting Italian tribes under Macedonian rule and appointing Hephaistion as supreme governor of Italia, Alexander returned to Pella and started rebuilding kingdom. With strong agriculture in Italia and rich harbours on Dalmatia, he rebuilt cities, roads, institutions, he built theatres, schools, academies and supported presence of women and poor free men in academical institutions. He also purged his kingdom and killed few hundreds corrupted officials. All by crucifiction.
Before Alexander return to Macedonia, Spartan general Paunas arrested Miranda and her lover Lamia as traitors. He killed Lamia and then sent Miranda to prison, because she was pregnant with Alexander and he wanted to wait for Alexander orders. When Alexander was informed, he promptly arrived to Spartha and visited prisoned Miranda. She hated him because she believed she was just his puppet to take control over Spartha. It was just her insane imagination, but so strong to betray him. He gave order to protect her until she gave birth and then he want to kill her by his own hands.
After return to Pella, Alexander started with gathering most greatest army in history. He wanted to build 1 millions men army divided in to three directs of attack. He appointed himself as commander of North African campaign. Parmenion was appointed as commander of main direct strike from Byzantion, through Ankara to Babylon and Philotas got cavalry army to across Caucasian mountains and led attack from north to Babylon.
During his North-African campaign, Alexander used with help of spies biological weapons against city Barca. All peoples in Barca died on cholera, typhus, dysentery or necrosis. No one survived and Alexander continued with his biochemical weapons program. But unknown traitor informed Dareos III., last Persian king about Alexander location and Persian army sent all their forces to one destructive attack against Alexander forces in North Africa. Alexander was surprised but he fight in brutal struggle and after many hours of fight, he accepted Dareos III. propose to fight man-against-man between him and Alexander to stop this useless bloody battle. Fight between heavy armed Dareos and light armed Alexander is brutal and blood, but innocent soldiers no more dies. Fight ending with Dareos death and Alexander took control over whole Persia. He is welcomed as liberator and his armies have support from Persians and surviving armed forces. However, at end of battle, General Gordos, commander-in-chief of Immortals attacked on cavalry units of Cassander, son of Parmenion, in southern battle theatre. Alexander arrived too late on battlefield. Cassander, but also Gordos, were killed in fight, Immortals surrendered but Alexander cavalry suffered heavy damage and casualties.
Because of interruption by battle, until end of fight Alexander could not see destructive effects of his special weapons. After battle, he arrived with his elite guards to city Barca. All peoples were dead or dying. Alexander gave order to took samples from dead bodies and supply his arsenal od special weapons.
After few days, Alexander arrived to Babylon where he married with two persian princess and started rebuilding Persia. With using of modern infrastructure and large slaves army, he started building new cities and trade areas. But only one city had his total attention - Alexandria. He ordered to his architects and slaves to build greatest and richest city in world on Nile River. Then he continued with his great expedition to east Asia, to Okean (old age name for Pacific Ocean).
Sogdian castle and Okean - October 335 BC.[]
During October 335, Alexander army moved to northeast areas of conquered Persian Empire. Sogdian castle. Impregnable castle of king Spetimian and his daughter, elite warrior princess Roxana. When Alexander arrived to Marakand (old name for Samarkand) his armies burned city down and killed all residents. City shall to be colonised by Greeks. This massacre was also warning for Sogdian garrison to surrender or they will be destroyed. Spetimian disagree and defending castle with sentence:"Alexander, you will need bird-men to conquer this castle! We can live here forever!". Spetimian had true, castle was self-sufficient and had strong veteran garrison, including groups of elite women warriors under Roxana direct commanding.
However, Alexander used first time in history, "psychological operation". He volunteered 300 mountaineer troops to get over hills and take control over parts of castle wall with weak enemy presence. Volunteers were successful and then, according another Alexander instructions, they started big fire over walls, so everyone in castle thought Alexander army conquered walls and climb over mountains. Only Roxana and few guards saw truth, but they were too slow. King Spetimian panicked and surrendered his castle to Alexander army. Alexander lost only 30 troops during this actions, all died in fall from hills and walls.
After fall of Sogdian, Alexander met Roxana on very interesting circumstances (she tried to kill him as revenge for his attack) and they became lovers. Roxana became Alexander third wife, but most important for him because of her courage, independence and beauty. Alexander, now with Parmenion as his Stratégos (Field Marshall) and Roxana and her warrior guard unit, continued to march to India.
During their travel through mountains in northwest Panjab, Alexander was ambushed. He and his army. Unknown traitor again give information about their locations to their enemies, now King Parvus Army. Alexander army was ambush in hill pass, from side by elite archers and from direct way by war elephants and masses of cavalry and ground troops. Antipater heavy weapons successfully killed many elephants, but Indian archers did heavy casualties to side defense forces and Alexander suggested to start counterattack which will surprise Parvus army. Phalanges and heavy weapons start moving toward Indian forces, but when they pass through curve they were again ambushed by large archers squad. Archers successfully killed all personal of heavy weapons and stopped attack against last few war-elephants which now moved against Macedonian phalanges. Alexander lover Hephastion because of personal reasons and because of his love to Alexander and his empire self-sacrifice and alone jumped on war-elephant, killed rider and archers on elephant and then attacked last two elephants. Parvus army was shocked by this heroism and start retreating. Meanwhile, Alexander was badly hurt by arrow to his jaw. When Alexander woke up from coma, he found his victorious army and capitulation of King Parvus. And also death of Hephaistion. Hephaistion body fall from mountains and never was found. Alexander then got loyalty from King Parvus and his army. Whole India became united under Alexander leadership.
After this, Alexander army reinforced by Indian troops and volunteers returned to their course to east. When traitor arrived to southeast Asia and met with South Asian kings, he informed them about Alexander victory and where they can ambush Alexander. However, this time, he underestimated intelligence of local kings. When Alexander army arrived to South Asian jungles, he got invitation to meet Asian kings in Vietnam. When he arrived to deep jungle capital city, he got a gift. Head of traitor Helios, ex-Spartan volunteer commander. And also he got loyalty promise from eastern kingdoms exchange for promise of autonomy. They sent six thousand elite experts for jungle warfare to Alexander army and they really help with minimalizing casualties of army in way through dangerous jungles. At end of October, Alexander arrived to Okean. Without his lover Hephaistion, but with his beloved Roxana and his closes friend and aide Parmenion. Alexander became first European who visited Okean and who swim in Okean.
New deadly enemy! - October 335 BC to December 335 BC.[]
But new enemy was on horizon. Vietnamese and other kings informed Alexander about Japanese invasion to Korea and Chinese warring states. Japanese empiror was warned about great victories of Alexander army and about building great Alexander empire. So he started preemptive strike and Japanese Imperial Army conquered whole Korea and one by one Chinese warring states. Chinese armies and last struggling states promised loyalty to Alexander army if he will help them to stop destructive Japanese army. Alexander, encouraged by his invincible army, promised support to Chinese and stop preemptive strike. However, shogun Akimata, commander-in-chief of became more dangerous enemy then Alexander thought. Alexander army had 300 thousands Macedonians, Spartans, Carthaginians and Italian troops, plus 100 thousands Indians, 40 thousand South Asians, 100 thousand Mongolian elite horse-archers and 300 thousand Chinese soldiers and farmers ... both bad equipped and bad trained. But most dangerous was fact, Japanese have gunpowder. Japanese emperor bought gunpowder for false reasons of celebrations and feasts, but in reality, he sent it to his army scientists to create weapon technologies on gunpowder bases. Japanese army was equipped by artillery!
Alexander overestimated his army and started confrontation against victorious Japanese army and his elite commander corps. Battle of Han River became great shame of Alexander and his army. Alexander underestimated Japanese military capabilities and also effectiveness of artillery units. 500 artillery cannons attacked against Alexander army (Battle of Han River) and ruined his forces.
After this battle, Alexander position was destabilised and he retreated to south, however also big casualties of Japanese Army led to stop their offensive actions and reorganisation.
Reorganization and consolidation - December 335 BC to April 334 BC.[]
After return to Macedonia, Alexander was depressed because of death of his elite general Parmenion during Battle of Han River. He also had to inform commander Philotas, son of Parmenion, about his father death. However there were also few good news. Primarily, local kings and tribal leaders in whole empire declared loyalty to Alexander and his progressive leadership and reign. Second, Alexandria, Alexander own city, became one of most important city in empire and became important trade and industrial area for whole Middle East territories. Third and most important news, Greeks and Macedonians armourers successfully invented first army rifles. Chinese leaders sent before Battle of Han River large amount of gunpowder to Macedonia and elite armourer experts created first hand-rifles for army and slowly but certainly started mass production for rearmament of Army. Army, decimated by Battle of Han River, started with massive training of civilian population and recruiting tribal warriors, Persian veterans and other fighters. Also Japanese Army had big job to do - rebuild and retrain elite commander corps decimated in Battle of Han River.
Alexander in this time, second in his life, met his daughter Cleopatra which is already two years old, walking and bit speaking. He is proud and happy, but also worry about brutal conflict with Japanese armies.
End of Japanese offensive - June 334 BC to July 334 BC.[]
During April, Japanese army restarted their offensive and conquered last parts of state Qin and besieged strategical cities in state Chu. Vietnamese and Indians militia built large fortresses and fortified borders for stop Japanese offensive, but Alexander army arrived. Alexander, Philotas, Roxana, Eumenes and Antipater, last remnants of original commander corps of Alexander army, arrived to state Qin with army of 500 thousands well trained, good equiped and with rifle armed troops. Macedonian (Hellenistic) Army besieged castle Hiamo, where Akimata had Headquarters and commanding center for all Japanese forces in south China. Rifle troops with large artillery batteries successfully destroyed castle and Alexander killed Akimata, but was heavily wounded by Akimata. Japanese army start series of retreat campaigns and battles, also because of rebel activities of Chinese farmers, sabotages and assassinations. Japanese army in Asia was destroyed and last remnants returned to Japan. However, Japanese Imperial Navy was still strong and all attacks of Macedonian and Carthaginian navy was repel with big casualties for both sides. Alexander build fortified positions on whole coastline and repelled all Japanese attacks against coastline.
Alexander Goes West - September 334 BC to December 331 BC.[]
Last campaigns was not under direct commander of emperor Alexander, because he wanted to have direct control over building his empire, directing research, science, culture and creating Hellenism. So Philotas, Eumenes and Antipater became Stratégos and led three independent campaigns. Only in one campaign Alexander again led his army. It was British campaign. Philotas armies successfully destroyed Skyth kingdom and captured last independent areas of Caucasus. Eumenes army conquered whole Germania, Baltic area and with big casualties Scandinavia. Antipater forces conquered Gauls and last parts of West Europe, include Hispania (Spain).
Then, under Alexander leadership, Macedonian army invaded Britain and Ireland and destroyed assimilated all local tribes. Britania and Ireland became new areas of Macedonian empire and last areas of empire conquered by Alexander. Alexander also in this time last use biochemical weapons under his command.
Rest of life - January 330 BC to December 260 BC.[]
Alexander had long life and thanks of that, thanks of his long life, love for culture, science, exploration and building his empire, he gave to his daughter, his only legitimate heir, empire which was most united, richest and cultural in whole world. Alexandria became first city with one and then also with two million citizens. When Alexander died, Hellenistic Empire had 550 millions citizens and controlled whole Eurasia include Australia and half of Africa. Just few months before Alexander death, Carthaginian allies with Macedonians marines arrived also to North America and started empire expansion to this new continent. Alexander created trade routes in whole Empire from one end to second end of Empire. He built theatres, libraries and schools in every city and in personal free time, he studied and helping scientists and philosophers with their goals and projects.
Epilogue - 1644 CE, 2000th Anniversary of Alexander birth.[]
In 1644 CE Hellenistic Empire going to unite with Japanese Empire in one great super-power because already, whole world is under Hellenistic control. In OTL, humankind invented microscope and European powers colonizing America. In Hellenistic timeline, humankind have colonies on Mars, Venus, invented robot-slaves, created Sun-Solar Energy Space Station and cooperating with extraterrestrial civilizations. Why? Because Alexander loved science and because there was not Dark Age.
End of this timeline. Thanks for reading and if you can speak Czech, I will send you my amateur-novel about this if you want.