I just want to know this for fun because I saw it and one of my history books and want to learn about it.
Why did Alexander the Greats empire fall?
He died, but left no specified heir. His empire was "carved up" by the generals.
http://blog.oup.com/2014/05/rise-macedonian-empire-slideshow/
Alexander the Great died when he was only 33 years old. His heirs couldn't hold the empire together.
I guess I would have to go along with that but wonder if it would have lasted if he had lived. The last few years of scooting around the Middle East and western Asia did not seem to be aimed at establishing any sort of permanent government but rather putting people in titular charge of regions, often the same people who ruled them before he came along. Perhaps he had plans to add North Africa etc to his successes. We will never know. However all he established of lasting value were some cities such as Alexandria in Egypt which became a world leader in academics for a while and in trade, but that mostly under the Romans. Meanwhile Athens decayed. The library at Alexandria lasted but the science disappeared afeter a couple of generations of innovation until the Arabs started it up again with Algebra etc. Genghis Khan and his successors established a much bigger and more lasting empire and it included the leading countries at the time, particularly China.
The fall of Alexander the Great's empire can be attributed to various factors. To understand why his empire ultimately disintegrated after his death, it is important to take into account the following key factors:
1. Succession Issues: Alexander the Great died suddenly in 323 BCE without an established heir or clear succession plan. This led to a power vacuum and subsequent struggles for control among his top generals, known as the Diadochi. Their rivalries and infighting weakened the unity of the empire.
2. Weak Central Authority: After Alexander's death, his empire was divided into multiple independent kingdoms ruled by his generals. These territories lacked a strong central authority, resulting in a decentralized rule with regional governors jockeying for power. This fragmentation weakened the cohesion of the empire and made it vulnerable to outside threats.
3. Revolts and Rebellions: Many regions within Alexander's empire, especially those in the eastern territories such as Persia and Bactria, were subject to frequent revolts and rebellions. The local populations frequently rose against the Greek-Macedonian rulers, leading to constant instability and an inability to maintain control over the vast territories.
4. Economic Strain: Maintaining such a vast empire was highly expensive, as it required funding a large standing army, infrastructure development, and various ambitious projects. The cost of military campaigns and administering these territories placed a significant strain on the empire's economy.
5. Cultural Differences: The vastness of Alexander's empire encompassed numerous diverse cultures, languages, and traditions. The Greeks and Macedonians, who formed the ruling class, often faced difficulties in assimilating and maintaining control over the culturally distinct regions. This cultural divide and resistance to Greek influence further fragmented the empire.
6. External Threats: Alexander's empire faced external threats from powerful neighboring states, such as the Seleucid Empire in the east and Ptolemaic Egypt in the south. These rival powers exploited the internal divisions and instabilities to expand their own territories at the expense of the crumbling empire.
It is essential to note that the decline and fall of Alexander's empire occurred gradually over several decades, as regional powers gradually asserted their independence and weakened the central authority. The empire's demise underscores the challenges of maintaining such a vast territory without a strong central leadership and a cohesive governing structure.