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How did the rule of Alexander the Great during the Hellenistic Age affect the relationship between the Persians and the Greeks?

 

The rule of Alexander the Great during the Hellenistic Age greatly affected the relationship between the Persians and the Greeks in a positive way. As a matter of fact, he mixed these two civilisations together, combining the two different cultures, customs, manners and so on.

His grand scheme was to create a multiracial kingdom with a multiracial army. His first step in accomplishing this was to train thousands of Persian youths in Macedonian tactics and then enrol them in his army. This was the start to his multiracial army, composed of Macedonians, Greeks and Persians. Furthermore, he encouraged marriage amongst his officers, mainly from Macedonia and Greece, with Persian women. Actually, Alexander himself married the daughter of a Persian noble. By doing so, he united these two populations more and more, even with ties of blood.

In addition to this, Alexander the Great also founded many new cities in Asia along his line of march. These, of course, all had mixed populations of Greeks and Asians. They spoke Greek, which became the new international language, and their religion, art and literature were a cosmopolitan blend of Greek and Asiatic elements. This consequently, had major effects on the relationship between the Persians and the Greeks, since they literally became good next door neighbours.

In conclusion, during the 13 years of his reign, Alexander the Great spread Greek learning and culture to Eastern lands. He also adopted Eastern ways and customs. A new civilisation developed from this blend of East and West.