Little of the great palace at Persepolis (in modern Iran) remained after the Macedonians set it on fire. This stairway dates from the sixth to fifth century B. C.E.
HIS VICTORY AT THE BATTLE OF GAUGAMELA ESTABLISHED Alexander the Great as the ruler of the Persian Empire. Only three years after he first invaded Asia Minor, he was hailed as the new Great King of Persia and Lord of Asia-the ruler of all Persian lands.
But as long as Darius III was alive, he remained a threat to Alexander’s rule. As soon as Alexander was able to break away from the fighting at Gaugamela, he began his pursuit of Darius. Alexander pursued the older king through the night, but Darius escaped into the mountains. Alexander decided to wait, rather than to push through dangerous mountain passes where troops still loyal to Darius could ambush the Macedonians.
Darius had abandoned some of his treasure near Gaugamela, and Alexander used the loot to reward his soldiers. He then traveled south along the Royal Road, built centuries before, to Babylon (located near what is now Baghdad). He expected opposition, but instead, because the Persian king was so unpopular, the Babylonians welcomed the soldiers with trumpets and showered them with flowers. The young king’s popularity grew when he promised to rebuild the temple to the chief Babylonian god, Bel Marduk, which the Persians had destroyed.
The Macedonians and Greeks were amazed by the wealth and majesty of Babylon. This fabled city already had a history dating back to about 2000 b. c.e. Nearly five times larger than Athens, it was organized around a seven-story tower-which may have been the famous Tower of Babel.
During the five weeks the Macedonian troops remained there, Alexander took up residence in one of Babylon’s two royal palaces. The palace had about 600 rooms and its terraces of trees, flowers, and shrubs,
World History
