Did Alexander the Great march on Athens and Sparta?
Answer (3)
yes he did march with them
Alexander the Great did not march on Athens and Sparta; instead, he focused on his campaign against the Persian Empire. Sparta remained autonomous and showcased its military strength in various confrontations, including against Thebes and at Thermopylae against the Persians.
Alexander the Great did not march on Athens and Sparta as part of his conquest. Although he crushed what little freedom remained in Greece and subjugated the Thracians, his campaign was primarily aimed at conquering the Persian Empire. His father, King Philip II, had already established Macedonian dominance over most of mainland Greece, even defeating a combined force of Athens and Thebes at the Battle of Chaeronea. However, Philip consciously chose not to subdue Sparta. Following Philip's assassination, Alexander, succeeded his father and swiftly moved to target the Persian Empire. His military efforts were focused to the east, and he spent the remaining years of his life in Asia, securing a series of vast conquests, rather than turning his attention back to Greece.
As for the Spartans, they engaged in various military actions during this time, including King Agesilaus's campaign against Thebes and the Spartans' legendary stand at the Battle of Thermopylae against the Persians. Sparta was considered a military powerhouse and retained its autonomy during Philip's and subsequently Alexander's reign.
Key Moments for Sparta and Athens
In 480 BCE, most Greek city-states, including Sparta and Athens, formed the Hellenic League to defend against the Persian invasion led by Xerxes.
The Athenians, facing a Persian army at Marathon, sent for Spartan aid, which was delayed due to religious ceremonies.
In 480 BCE and the years following, it was under the threat of Persian aggression that Athens and Sparta showed their military prowess, not from Alexander's campaigns.
Alexander the Great did not march on Athens and Sparta; his primary focus was on conquering the Persian Empire. His father had already established Macedonian dominance in Greece, and Alexander's campaigns targeted areas further east. Sparta remained autonomous and engaged in its own military confrontations during this time.
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