Understanding the Chronological Order of Alexander the Great's Events

To correctly arrange historical events in chronological order, we need to understand the timeline of Alexander the Great's campaigns and the subsequent events following his death. The given events cover a period from his major conquests to the early fragmentation of his vast empire.

Analyzing Key Events in Alexander's Timeline

Let's examine each event listed in the question and determine its approximate date or period:

• (a) Alexander leaves India: Alexander's Indian campaign primarily took place from 326 BC. He began his retreat from India, specifically the Punjab region, in 325 BC.
• (b) Burning of Persepolis: Persepolis, the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Persian Empire, was captured and burned by Alexander's forces in 330 BC during his conquest of the Persian Empire.
• (c) Alexander completes conquests of eastern Iran beyond the Hindu Kush: After the fall of Persepolis and the death of Darius III (the last Achaemenid King), Alexander spent several years campaigning in the eastern parts of the Persian Empire, including regions like Bactria and Sogdia, which lie beyond the Hindu Kush mountains. These campaigns occurred roughly between 330 BC and 327 BC.
• (d) Partition of Alexander's empire at Triparadisus: Alexander the Great died in Babylon in 323 BC. His empire was initially partitioned at Babylon in 323 BC. A subsequent re-partitioning of the empire among his generals (the Diadochi) occurred at Triparadisus in 321 BC. This event is significant as it further defined the spheres of influence for the successors.

Establishing the Timeline

Based on the dates, we can arrange the events chronologically:

1. Burning of Persepolis (330 BC)
2. Conquests of eastern Iran beyond the Hindu Kush (c. 330-327 BC)
3. Alexander leaves India (325 BC)
4. Partition of Alexander's empire at Triparadisus (321 BC)

This sequence translates to the order (b), (c), (a), (d).

Step-by-Step Arrangement

Let's list the events and their approximate timing:

The chronological order is therefore (b), then (c), followed by (a), and finally (d).

Revision Table: Alexander the Great's Key Events

Additional Information on Alexander's Campaigns and Successors

Alexander III of Macedon, known as Alexander the Great, inherited the throne in 336 BC. His reign was marked by an ambitious military campaign that created one of the largest empires of the ancient world.

• Persian Conquest: His primary target was the Achaemenid Persian Empire. Major battles included Granicus (334 BC), Issus (333 BC), and Gaugamela (331 BC). The burning of Persepolis followed the conquest of the Persian heartland.
• Eastern Campaigns: After defeating the main Persian forces, Alexander pursued the remaining resistance in eastern Iran and Central Asia, consolidating control over vast territories up to the Jaxartes river. These campaigns were challenging due to the geography and the nature of the local resistance. Event (c) falls within this period.
• Indian Campaign: Driven by a desire to reach the 'ends of the world', Alexander invaded the Indian subcontinent (modern Pakistan and northwest India). He fought the Battle of the Hydaspes against King Porus in 326 BC. The campaign was eventually halted due to the exhaustion and reluctance of his troops to advance further east. Event (a) marks the beginning of his return journey from India.
• Return and Death: Alexander returned through difficult routes, facing further challenges. He died in Babylon in 323 BC, possibly from illness.
• The Diadochi: Following Alexander's death, his generals, known as the Diadochi (Successors), engaged in a series of wars to gain control of the empire. The partitions at Babylon (323 BC) and Triparadisus (321 BC - Event (d)) were early attempts to divide the empire, which ultimately failed to prevent decades of conflict and the formation of several Hellenistic kingdoms (like the Seleucid Empire, Ptolemaic Kingdom, Antigonid dynasty).

Understanding the sequence of these major campaigns and the subsequent events like the partitions is crucial for grasping the history of the Hellenistic period.