The situation which Alexander faced on his accession might
well have dismayed a less dauntless spirit. Philip had not lived long enough to
unite firmly his wide dominions. His unexpected death proved the signal for
uprisings and disorder. The barbarous Thracians broke out in widespread
rebellion, and the Greeks made ready to answer the call of Demosthenes to arms.
But Alexander soon set his kingdom in order. After crushing the tribes of
Thrace, he descended on Greece and besieged Thebes, which had risen against its
Macedonian garrison. The city was soon captured; its inhabitants were
slaughtered or sold into slavery; and the place itself was destroyed. The
terrible fate of Thebes induced the other states to submit without further
resistance.
SEEMING STRENGTH OF THE PERSIAN EMPIRE
With Greece pacified, Alexander could proceed to the
invasion of Persia. Since the days of Darius the Great the empire had remained
almost intact-- a huge, loosely-knit collection of many different peoples,
whose sole bond of union was their common allegiance to the Great King. Its
resources were enormous. There were millions of men for the armies and untold
wealth in the royal treasuries. Yet the empire was a hollow shell.
