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Alexander the Great Tells History:

RECOGNIZING ONE’S DESTINY

Foreign Policy Taking Shape

Persia was never too far off Philip’s mind. At the height of its power in the 6th century BC, Cyrus the Great ruled the Persian Empire. Cyrus died in 530 BC. The empire he created survived his death for two more centuries, which showed how great he truly was.

Under subsequent leaders, the Persians had attacked and destroyed numerous Greek sanctuaries. Xerxes in particular dealt us a crushing blow in 480 BC. The powers that be in Greece were itching for the opportunity to retaliate.

There was also the matter of Greek cities in Asia Minor that were now under Persian rule. Philip kept talking of “liberating” these, which everyone knew was both sarcastic and ironic. It was sarcastic because Philip wanted them under his power to serve as a cushion against Persia. It was ironic because he sought to subject them to his rule. What kind of liberation is that?

And like it is always the case, commercial incentives – like sea supremacy and vast wealth – made the case for going to war compelling enough to put together a commission of sorts to examine the idea.

Incompetence, corruption and regicide had weakened the once dominant Persian Empire. Following the death of Artaxerxes I in 425 BC, the Persian Empire continued its downward slide.

The Persian Empire was now a great empire in size but not in stature. Philip was all too aware of this fact.

The problem was that conquering Persia was my destiny, I could not sit still and watch my father achieve what the Gods had destined me to achieve.

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