In 336 BC, Philip was assassinated by the captain of his bodyguard, Pausanias. Pausanias tried to escape, but he was killed by his pursuers, including two of Alexander's companions, Perdiccas and Leonnatus. Alexander was proclaimed king by the Macedonian army and by the Macedonian noblemen at the age of 20.
Alexander began his reign by having his potential rivals to the throne murdered.
He first went east into the country of the "Independent Thracians". At Mount Haemus, the Macedonian army attacked and annihilate the Thracian army. The Macedonians went on into the country of the Triballi, and defeated the Triballian army near the Lyginus river.
Alexander began his reign by having his potential rivals to the throne murdered.Olympias had burned alive Cleopatra Eurydice and her daughter. When Alexander found out about this, he was furious with his mother. Alexander also ordered the murder of Attalus, because he was too dangerous to leave alive. News of Philip's death roused many states into revolt, including Thebes, Athens, Thessaly and the Thracian tribes to the north of Macedon.
When news of the revolts in Greece reached Alexander, he responded quickly. Athens sued for peace and Alexander received the envoy and pardoned anyone involved with the uprising. Before crossing to Asia, Alexander wanted to safeguard his northern borders and, in the spring of 335 BC, he advanced to suppress several revolts.
He first went east into the country of the "Independent Thracians". At Mount Haemus, the Macedonian army attacked and annihilate the Thracian army. The Macedonians went on into the country of the Triballi, and defeated the Triballian army near the Lyginus river. Alexander then advanced for three days on to the Danube, encountering the Getae tribe on the opposite shore. Surprising the Getae by crossing the river at night, he forced the Getae army to move backwards after the first cavalry skirmish, leaving their town to the Macedonian army. Marching west into Illyria, Alexander defeated each in turn, forcing Cleitus and Glaukias to flee with their armies, leaving Alexander's northern frontier secure.
While he was triumphantly campaigning north, the Thebans and Athenians rebelled once more. Alexander reacted immediately, but, Thebes decided to resist with vigor.
While he was triumphantly campaigning north, the Thebans and Athenians rebelled once more. Alexander reacted immediately, but, Thebes decided to resist with vigor.
However, the resistance was useless.
The end of Thebes cowed Athens into submission, leaving all of Greece at least outwardly at peace with Alexander.
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