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(powerful orchestra music)
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Alexander the Great.
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The shining light of ancient Greece.
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The prince from remote Macedonia
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would become the greatest
(yelling and clanking)
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conqueror of all time.
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No one would have thought
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that someone would try to conquer the whole world.
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And that he would almost succeed.
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(powerful orchestra music)
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He was the first European
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to establish an empire
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that stretched from the Mediterranean
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to the end of the known world.
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(yelling)
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Fame on the battlefield was dearer to him than his own life.
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He turned his war into a holy mission.
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He entered the stage as a liberator
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and he dreamed of an empire where the peoples
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lived together in peace with him being at the top.
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Only a very few people had as much influence
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on History as Alexander the Great.
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(powerful music)
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(lightning sizzling)
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Alexander's story starts with a legend.
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(lightning cracking)
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(woman panting)
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It is said that the gods announced his birth
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with natural phenomena.
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(thunder roaring)
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(woman panting)
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It must have been the night of July 20, 356 B.C.,
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when Olympias went into labor.
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The royal family was hoping for a son.
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They needed an heir to the throne.
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(thunder clapping)
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(hopeful music)
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(baby wails)
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Alexander was only the second born,
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but it was clear from the start that Olympias' son
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was destined to lead Macedonia into a bright future.
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Alexander.
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Live up to your purpose.
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(dramatic music)
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In the fourth century B.C.,
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Greece was undergoing radical change.
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While some still believed in myth and divine providence,
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others were already seeking scientific reasoning.
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The big cities facilitated these new trends,
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above all, Athens, which had established democracy.
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There the citizens determined the politics.
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Alexander's home was far away from the modern centers,
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north of Mount Olympus in a rural area.
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Macedonia had long been a simple peasant state,
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a kingdom that had long been economically irrelevant
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and politically in dire straits.
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Only Alexander's father, King Philip II,
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showed what he and his country were capable of.
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He reorganized his forces, developed new weapons,
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and turned the cavalry into his strongest attack formation.
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He extended his sphere of power in several battles
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and he forged alliances.
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However, the four biggest cities turned against
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the victorious leader.
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They claimed that Macedonia was barbarian,
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although the kingdom did everything to modernize itself
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according to Greek standards.
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Philip promoted progress,
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especially in the Macedonian capitol Pella.
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The king turned the humble settlement
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into a stately seat of government.
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(music darkens)
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This was where Alexander grew up.
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In a time of great upheaval,
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the heir to the thrown enjoyed an elite education.
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On a daily basis, he practiced close combat
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and the handling of weapons.
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His education prepared him for a tough reality.
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Whoever wanted to rule had to be able to fight.
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(boys grunting)
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His father, Philip, lived by it.
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(crowd cheering)
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He was mostly at war,
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while Olympias took care of their son's upbringing.
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(boys grunting)
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Come on, Alexander!
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Earn your companion's respect!
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(exciting music)
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(boys grunting)
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You can't even defend yourself.
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Come here.
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Leave me alone.
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What's going on, son?
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I'm sorry, father.
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I have--
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Never show your weakness.
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You have to be the best!
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Always.
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Stop it.
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He's still a child.
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That's not your business!
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Macedonia needs warriors!
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And what do I get?
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My first son is a moron and the second one a loser.
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You've ridiculed me.
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Alexander!
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Show him what you have learned!
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I've seen enough for today.
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To understand the relationship
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between Philip and Alexander,
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it is important to take into account
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that although Philip was married to seven women,
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he only had two sons from these marriages.
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And his second son, Philip Arrhidaeus,
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didn't live up to his expectations.
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He might have had a physical impairment.
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Sometimes he's even characterized as moronic.
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Hence, Alexander was the only son
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that Philip could present to the world.
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(ethereal music)
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Alexander not only had to live up
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to his father, but also to his divine descent.
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A mosaic from Pella shows him with a lion.
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He looks like Heracles, a son of Zeus.
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The lion symbolizes Alexander's royal descent
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and Heracles symbolizes his god-like status.
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He was born into it.
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(moves to dynamic music)
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Alexander's parents also believed in their divine descent.
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This form of fictional pedigree
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wasn't uncommon in ancient times.
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Many royal families justified their claim to power with it.
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The belief in gods was taken seriously in Macedonia.
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No one doubted that the heir to the throne, Alexander,
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had inherent super-human skills.
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(scraping)
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But it was Olympias' religious beliefs
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that influenced Alexander.
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(clanks)
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She engaged in religious rituals
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and kept telling the boy that he wasn't of this world.
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(ethereal music)
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Come to me, my darling.
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Don't listen to your father.
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His heart is made of stone.
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I do as he wishes!
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Why is he always disappointed in me?
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Come on.
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No.
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He's not disappointed, he's jealous.
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Because your blood is more royal than his.
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Mother, please, you don't really believe that.
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I'll tell you a secret.
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(mythical music)
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The night you were conceived, I heard thunder
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and I felt that lightning struck my body.
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But you were unharmed.
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Don't you understand?
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Zeus made you.
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Zeus is your father.
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Philip knows it and is jealous.
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(peaceful music)
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That Zeus was Alexander's father
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is another spectacular story.
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These stories are usually told
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when it comes to the circumstances of conception
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of famous people from ancient times.
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Their mothers suddenly have spectacular dreams.
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Gods appear in the form of animals
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and father these children in a dream or in reality,
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who then have an inherent heroic aura.
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(rhythmic music)
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The heroes of Greek mythology
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were Alexander's role models.
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Like them, he wanted to be the best and exceed them all.
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His biggest hero was Achilles from the myth
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about the Battle of Troy.
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(yelling)
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Achilles is the main figure.
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He is invulnerable and the bravest warrior.
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Patroclus, his loyal friend, fights by his side.
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Both die in combat but their deeds make them immortal.
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(men screaming)
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(peaceful music)
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Aristotle, one of Greece's biggest thinkers,
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has a transcript of the story made for Alexander.
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The king's son was only 13
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when Aristotle agreed to educate the prince in Pella.
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(stylus scratching)
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He taught Alexander everything about Greek culture.
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Drama, geography, sciences,
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as well as literature and philosophy.
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But most importantly, he studied Homer's Iliad.
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The story was compulsory reading.
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Every Greek knew it.
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Can you remember what Achilles' father told his son?
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He should always be the best and outdo everyone.
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My father could have said this.
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Your father might be wiser than many think.
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Did Achilles manage?
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Achilles' ambition is unlike normal people's ambition.
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He was driven by holy wrath.
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Because he took revenge for Patroclus
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and had his murderer dragged through the mud for days?
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That's right, but he also showed benevolence
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in having him bedded in dignity.
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Achilles had a choice.
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Between a long life that would sink into oblivion
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or a short life and eternal glory.
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I will never achieve that.
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Why not?
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My father won't leave anything to me.
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Before I can prove myself,
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he'll have conquered all of Greece.
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Come here, I'll show you something.
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Come on.
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(papers rustling)
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Let him have Greece.
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You've got the whole world left.
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From the Persian Empire all the way to India.
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(mystical music)
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Hundred years ago, their king attacked Greece.
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He destroyed our cities and burned the Acropolis of Athens.
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What happened then?
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The Greeks united and drove the Persians out.
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What is left for me, then?
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The Persians are still a constant threat.
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Their soldiers are stationed across the Hellespont.
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They are right at our doorstep.
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Even Achilles' grave is in the hands of these barbarians.
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Do you want eternal glory?
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Unite the Greeks and lead them against the Persians.
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That would indeed be a heroic act.
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Aristotle was a polymath
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who knew his way around all topics.
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He was the son of a doctor.
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He taught Alexander medicine, science, and of course, Homer.
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Alexander was hungry for knowledge.
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His education was important in his later life
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as an explorer and admirer of Homer.
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There is this famous quote of his,
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"Philip gave me life, but Aristotle gave me the good life."
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(mystical music)
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Aristotle's school was located
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in a remote Nymph sanctuary.
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An ideal place to devote one's self
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to the search for wisdom and insight.
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(falcon cries)
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Nature's got many secrets, but you will not be able
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to unlock them purely by thinking.
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You have to observe the world.
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You have to feel it, taste it,
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smell it, and discover it with your senses.
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Come on, try it.
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Huh.
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Observe it and understand it.
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(inquisitive music)
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Look, there's a feather.
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(birds chirping)
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There's the nest.
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Hey, let's fetch an egg.
(foreboding music)
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We'll never get one.
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The bird will attack us.
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You scare him away and I'll get the egg.
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That's far too dangerous!
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Achilles and Patroclus weren't afraid.
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Come on!
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Alexander's courage was proverbial.
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(dramatic music)
He took on every challenge.
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(rock clacking)
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(wings fluttering)
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And he had Hephaestion, his friend.
273
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He was always by his side.
274
00:15:19,488 --> 00:15:21,646
Alexander, the bird is coming back!
275
00:15:21,646 --> 00:15:22,926
Come down quickly!
276
00:15:22,926 --> 00:15:25,843
(falcon screeches)
277
00:15:26,818 --> 00:15:27,651
Hey!
278
00:15:27,651 --> 00:15:30,384
(falcon screeching)
279
00:15:30,384 --> 00:15:32,634
(grunting)
280
00:15:33,806 --> 00:15:35,806
Bravo! Woohoo!
Bravo!
281
00:15:39,626 --> 00:15:42,543
(mysterious music)
282
00:15:43,796 --> 00:15:47,963
There is a fine line between courage and foolishness.
283
00:15:49,846 --> 00:15:52,276
Every venture has to be considered.
284
00:15:52,276 --> 00:15:54,706
Only then will it be rewarded.
285
00:15:54,706 --> 00:15:56,701
Remember that.
286
00:15:56,701 --> 00:16:00,868
The egg proves that I wasn't foolish but courageous.
287
00:16:02,471 --> 00:16:06,707
Your words are wiser than your actions, Alexander.
288
00:16:06,707 --> 00:16:08,987
But if you just follow your passion,
289
00:16:08,987 --> 00:16:11,651
you act without sense.
290
00:16:11,651 --> 00:16:14,651
(inquisitive music)
291
00:16:21,247 --> 00:16:24,455
That's the end of the lesson.
292
00:16:24,455 --> 00:16:26,807
After three years, Alexander was ready
293
00:16:26,807 --> 00:16:28,707
for being a sovereign.
294
00:16:28,707 --> 00:16:31,712
Most of his preparation came from Aristotle.
295
00:16:31,712 --> 00:16:33,627
They didn't always agree,
296
00:16:33,627 --> 00:16:37,794
but the scholar remained one of his closest advisors.
297
00:16:41,042 --> 00:16:44,067
The best known legend from Alexander's childhood
298
00:16:44,067 --> 00:16:46,927
is the taming of Bucephalus.
(horse squealing)
299
00:16:46,927 --> 00:16:49,967
What's your father doing here?
300
00:16:49,967 --> 00:16:53,164
He's looking for horses for the royal guards.
301
00:16:53,164 --> 00:16:57,955
I can't wait for us to fight by the king's side.
302
00:16:57,955 --> 00:17:01,087
Maybe, but I don't think my father
303
00:17:01,087 --> 00:17:04,057
wants to have me by his side.
304
00:17:04,057 --> 00:17:05,677
What have you got today?
305
00:17:05,677 --> 00:17:08,727
A horse befitting only a king!
306
00:17:08,727 --> 00:17:11,187
This is Bucephalus, my best horse.
307
00:17:11,187 --> 00:17:13,827
(horse squealing)
308
00:17:13,827 --> 00:17:16,389
But Bucephalus means ox head.
309
00:17:16,389 --> 00:17:19,087
(chuckles) Some think it's because of his branding.
310
00:17:19,087 --> 00:17:22,107
Others think it's because he is stubborn like an ox.
311
00:17:22,107 --> 00:17:23,453
(laughs)
312
00:17:23,453 --> 00:17:25,247
A proud horse.
313
00:17:25,247 --> 00:17:26,527
What does it cost?
314
00:17:26,527 --> 00:17:28,110
Thirteen talents.
315
00:17:29,020 --> 00:17:30,853
That's a high price.
316
00:17:32,107 --> 00:17:34,274
Let me have a look at him.
317
00:17:35,125 --> 00:17:36,627
According to the sources,
318
00:17:36,627 --> 00:17:38,702
many tried but nobody could
319
00:17:38,702 --> 00:17:41,963
ride the stallion.
(horse squealing)
320
00:17:41,963 --> 00:17:44,551
(enigmatic music)
(horse squealing and snorting)
321
00:17:44,551 --> 00:17:48,778
(horse clomping, squealing, and blowing)
322
00:17:48,778 --> 00:17:52,945
Only Alexander understood why the horse was in a panic.
323
00:17:56,256 --> 00:17:58,988
(horse squealing)
324
00:17:58,988 --> 00:18:01,310
I know why Bucephalus is nervous.
325
00:18:01,310 --> 00:18:02,783
Why?
326
00:18:02,783 --> 00:18:03,616
Wait!
327
00:18:03,616 --> 00:18:05,996
I've got enough wild mares.
328
00:18:05,996 --> 00:18:08,058
I don't need a stubborn stallion.
329
00:18:08,058 --> 00:18:10,723
Father, I can ride him.
330
00:18:10,723 --> 00:18:12,413
Don't be too sure.
331
00:18:12,413 --> 00:18:15,588
If a grown man can't do it, why should you?
332
00:18:15,588 --> 00:18:16,911
Let me try it.
333
00:18:16,911 --> 00:18:18,121
Please!
334
00:18:18,121 --> 00:18:21,011
If I can't tame him, I'll pay you back.
335
00:18:21,011 --> 00:18:23,799
Okay, I'm offering six talents.
336
00:18:23,799 --> 00:18:25,407
(seller scoffs)
I don't want my son
337
00:18:25,407 --> 00:18:28,074
to be heavily indebted so young.
338
00:18:31,807 --> 00:18:33,307
Don't be afraid.
339
00:18:35,007 --> 00:18:38,335
You're afraid of your own shadow, right?
340
00:18:38,335 --> 00:18:39,335
Turn around.
341
00:18:40,312 --> 00:18:42,732
(emboldened music)
342
00:18:42,732 --> 00:18:43,565
Calm down.
343
00:18:48,412 --> 00:18:50,052
Look at him!
344
00:18:50,052 --> 00:18:51,452
That's my son!
345
00:18:51,452 --> 00:18:54,012
(crowd claps)
346
00:18:54,012 --> 00:18:56,073
Look for a suitable kingdom, my son!
347
00:18:56,073 --> 00:18:57,612
Macedonia's too small for you!
348
00:18:57,612 --> 00:19:00,362
(crowd cheering)
349
00:19:04,192 --> 00:19:07,093
With this story, Alexander's conquests
350
00:19:07,093 --> 00:19:10,380
became providential and his horse
351
00:19:10,380 --> 00:19:14,297
became the most famous animal of ancient times.
352
00:19:16,041 --> 00:19:18,480
The connection between the stallion
353
00:19:18,480 --> 00:19:20,647
and the prince was unique.
354
00:19:21,580 --> 00:19:25,747
No one but him was ever able to ride Bucephalus, they say.
355
00:19:27,720 --> 00:19:29,920
These stories are attempts
356
00:19:29,920 --> 00:19:32,753
to explain something very special.
357
00:19:34,300 --> 00:19:36,900
They are told so that we can understand
358
00:19:36,900 --> 00:19:38,740
a special historical event
359
00:19:38,740 --> 00:19:41,720
or an outstanding historical figure.
360
00:19:41,720 --> 00:19:46,560
There is this young boy who seems to be a horse whisperer.
361
00:19:46,560 --> 00:19:49,477
He tames the horse using psychology
362
00:19:50,640 --> 00:19:54,580
so that the horse obeys on its own accord.
363
00:19:54,580 --> 00:19:56,980
This story essentially describes
364
00:19:56,980 --> 00:19:57,813
Alexander the Great's captivating charisma.
365
00:19:57,813 --> 00:20:00,563
(mellowed music)
366
00:20:03,055 --> 00:20:05,300
However, Alexander's childhood
367
00:20:05,300 --> 00:20:08,480
ended abruptly when he was 16.
368
00:20:08,480 --> 00:20:11,813
The crown prince had to face a big task.
369
00:20:13,840 --> 00:20:15,880
King Philip's aggressive expansionism
370
00:20:15,880 --> 00:20:18,800
resulted in a new conflict.
371
00:20:18,800 --> 00:20:21,620
Bloody clashes were imminent.
372
00:20:21,620 --> 00:20:24,710
(tense music)
373
00:20:24,710 --> 00:20:27,075
Philip went to war.
374
00:20:27,075 --> 00:20:31,242
In his absence, Alexander was supposed to rule the empire.
375
00:20:33,115 --> 00:20:36,032
I entrust my empire to your care.
376
00:20:38,580 --> 00:20:41,660
From now on, you are my co-regent.
377
00:20:41,660 --> 00:20:44,410
(dramatic music)
378
00:20:47,130 --> 00:20:48,991
An attack at the Dardanelles
379
00:20:48,991 --> 00:20:50,491
caused the crisis.
380
00:20:51,461 --> 00:20:53,726
Philip captured a shipload of grain
381
00:20:53,726 --> 00:20:56,309
that was meant to go to Athens.
382
00:20:58,816 --> 00:21:01,201
The powerful state was furious
383
00:21:01,201 --> 00:21:05,221
and remembered an outrage from the distant past.
384
00:21:05,221 --> 00:21:07,392
When the Persians burned the temple of the city
385
00:21:07,392 --> 00:21:08,892
150 years earlier,
386
00:21:10,120 --> 00:21:13,787
the Macedonians were allies of the Persians.
387
00:21:17,435 --> 00:21:19,701
The reconstruction of the temple was a symbol
388
00:21:19,701 --> 00:21:23,340
of Athens' triumph over the Persians.
389
00:21:23,340 --> 00:21:26,820
Eventually, they managed to fight off the enemy.
390
00:21:26,820 --> 00:21:29,737
(triumphant music)
391
00:21:33,221 --> 00:21:35,901
At peak times, 80,000 people
392
00:21:35,901 --> 00:21:39,818
lived at the foot of the entrenched upper city.
393
00:21:40,761 --> 00:21:43,901
Athens has had a long history of democracy.
394
00:21:43,901 --> 00:21:47,462
The citizens decided on important matters.
395
00:21:47,462 --> 00:21:50,162
Sovereigns like those in Macedonia or Persia
396
00:21:50,162 --> 00:21:52,162
had long been abolished.
397
00:21:55,302 --> 00:21:58,642
Demosthenes was Philip's main adversary.
398
00:21:58,642 --> 00:22:01,163
With a passionate speech, the politician encouraged
399
00:22:01,163 --> 00:22:05,197
the council to put Macedonia into its place
400
00:22:05,197 --> 00:22:06,697
by military means.
401
00:22:09,982 --> 00:22:12,742
Not with words, but with deeds,
402
00:22:12,742 --> 00:22:16,409
our predecessors turned us into free Greeks.
403
00:22:18,622 --> 00:22:22,789
With their blood, they saved us from Persian tyranny.
404
00:22:25,522 --> 00:22:30,162
But now, Athens' freedom is threatened again by Philip,
405
00:22:30,162 --> 00:22:32,052
King of Macedonia.
406
00:22:32,052 --> 00:22:36,219
But it was the Persians who destroyed our city back then,
407
00:22:37,535 --> 00:22:39,202
not the Macedonians.
408
00:22:40,182 --> 00:22:44,742
We should regard them as friends, not as a threat.
409
00:22:44,742 --> 00:22:47,222
We should form an alliance with them
410
00:22:47,222 --> 00:22:49,222
to destroy the Persians.
411
00:22:50,522 --> 00:22:54,355
The Macedonians are not Greeks, but barbarians!
412
00:22:54,355 --> 00:22:57,846
Like the Persians, they are full of malice.
413
00:22:57,846 --> 00:23:00,341
An alliance with them means
414
00:23:00,341 --> 00:23:03,091
having the enemy in our own home.
415
00:23:04,307 --> 00:23:06,002
(foreboding music)
416
00:23:06,002 --> 00:23:07,307
The situation escalated
417
00:23:07,307 --> 00:23:09,469
into a war about Delphi.
418
00:23:09,469 --> 00:23:12,568
The temple wasn't only the Greek's most sacred place,
419
00:23:12,568 --> 00:23:15,628
it played an important political role too.
420
00:23:15,628 --> 00:23:19,795
Those who reigned Delphi held the power in the heartland.
421
00:23:21,928 --> 00:23:24,246
Athens guarded the sacred place,
422
00:23:24,246 --> 00:23:28,508
but other Greek cities also wanted to control Delphi.
423
00:23:28,508 --> 00:23:32,675
The Macedonians saved the sacred temple from the invasion.
424
00:23:35,948 --> 00:23:39,108
Athens felt humiliated when the barbarians
425
00:23:39,108 --> 00:23:41,691
were made custodians of Delphi.
426
00:23:42,868 --> 00:23:45,956
In all of Greece, they looked for allies
427
00:23:45,956 --> 00:23:49,789
who would fight against the hated King Philip.
428
00:23:52,406 --> 00:23:56,068
The battle took place near Chaeronea .
429
00:23:56,068 --> 00:24:00,235
This time Alexander and his companions were also present.
430
00:24:01,203 --> 00:24:04,217
For most of them, it was their first big battle
431
00:24:04,217 --> 00:24:05,717
in the royal army.
432
00:24:06,802 --> 00:24:10,807
Only the best men fought alongside the Macedonian prince.
433
00:24:10,807 --> 00:24:15,007
Cleitus, for instance, who was said to be experienced.
434
00:24:15,007 --> 00:24:17,174
Parmenion, an old general.
435
00:24:18,027 --> 00:24:19,944
He had a son, Philotas.
436
00:24:21,047 --> 00:24:25,262
He and Ptolemy were Alexander's childhood friends,
437
00:24:25,262 --> 00:24:29,012
just like his closest confidant, Hephaestion.
438
00:24:30,457 --> 00:24:31,637
(strong orchestral music)
439
00:24:31,637 --> 00:24:34,207
The Macedonians knew that the victors
440
00:24:34,207 --> 00:24:38,192
of the Battle of Chaeronea in 338 B.C.
441
00:24:38,192 --> 00:24:41,859
would decide the future of the Aegean World.
442
00:24:42,867 --> 00:24:47,034
With 34,000 soldiers each, both armies were equally strong.
443
00:24:51,125 --> 00:24:53,627
Alexander led the cavalry.
444
00:24:53,627 --> 00:24:55,467
It was to be decisive.
445
00:24:55,467 --> 00:24:59,897
It was about glory and honor, life and death,
446
00:24:59,897 --> 00:25:01,147
all or nothing.
447
00:25:02,183 --> 00:25:06,518
Didn't you say your father wouldn't leave any glory to us?
448
00:25:06,518 --> 00:25:07,935
I was mistaken.
449
00:25:10,048 --> 00:25:10,881
Get ready!
450
00:25:11,868 --> 00:25:13,035
At my command!
451
00:25:14,467 --> 00:25:15,468
Ho!!
452
00:25:15,468 --> 00:25:16,807
Alexander and his men
453
00:25:16,807 --> 00:25:19,622
faced a fierce challenge.
454
00:25:19,622 --> 00:25:23,289
The cavalry was supposed to lead the attack.
455
00:25:24,167 --> 00:25:27,084
Just like Achilles and Patroclus.
456
00:25:29,174 --> 00:25:30,682
(men screaming)
457
00:25:30,682 --> 00:25:32,588
Under Alexander's command,
458
00:25:32,588 --> 00:25:35,587
the cavalry defeated the Thebes,
459
00:25:35,587 --> 00:25:38,087
the dreaded elite troupe.
460
00:25:38,087 --> 00:25:42,254
(men screaming and metal clanging)
461
00:25:44,088 --> 00:25:47,307
The Athenian foot soldiers were lured into a trap.
462
00:25:47,307 --> 00:25:50,088
They ran into a wall of deadly spears.
463
00:25:50,088 --> 00:25:52,588
(men yelling)
464
00:25:54,448 --> 00:25:56,747
(yelling)
465
00:25:56,747 --> 00:25:59,247
(men yelling)
466
00:26:01,567 --> 00:26:03,148
The battle was won.
467
00:26:03,148 --> 00:26:08,147
Macedonia was the new military superpower in Greece.
468
00:26:08,147 --> 00:26:11,547
And Alexander was the hero of Chaeronea.
469
00:26:11,547 --> 00:26:13,714
(yelling)
470
00:26:15,167 --> 00:26:17,847
Being the commander of the cavalry,
471
00:26:17,847 --> 00:26:22,107
it was Alexander who made victory possible.
472
00:26:22,107 --> 00:26:25,888
It strengthened his standing with the Macedonians
473
00:26:25,888 --> 00:26:29,138
and, to a degree, also with the Greeks.
474
00:26:30,128 --> 00:26:34,049
It made him credible as a future king.
475
00:26:34,049 --> 00:26:35,148
(building music)
476
00:26:35,148 --> 00:26:35,998
After the battle,
477
00:26:35,998 --> 00:26:39,928
Philip summoned all the cities' delegates to Corinth.
478
00:26:39,928 --> 00:26:43,849
Sparta refused but they still formed an alliance
479
00:26:43,849 --> 00:26:47,128
that forbade the Greeks to fight each other.
480
00:26:47,128 --> 00:26:50,961
Macedonia suggested attacking Persia together.
481
00:26:56,108 --> 00:26:59,968
Philip visited the Oracle of Delphi on his way back.
482
00:26:59,968 --> 00:27:02,068
The sovereign wants to know his chances
483
00:27:02,068 --> 00:27:04,485
against this mighty opponent.
484
00:27:06,068 --> 00:27:08,588
The royal inquiry to the god Apollo
485
00:27:08,588 --> 00:27:11,255
cost him a golden laurel wreath.
486
00:27:12,708 --> 00:27:15,468
(mystical music)
487
00:27:15,468 --> 00:27:18,488
The Oracle spoke through a priestess.
488
00:27:18,488 --> 00:27:21,008
The Pythia went into a trance
489
00:27:21,008 --> 00:27:25,583
in order to enter the world and wisdom of the gods.
490
00:27:25,583 --> 00:27:28,916
That's what the ancient Greeks believed.
491
00:27:30,898 --> 00:27:35,709
Poor people would only get a short answer, yes or no.
492
00:27:35,709 --> 00:27:39,542
Rich men like Philip got exclusive prophecies.
493
00:27:42,688 --> 00:27:45,271
She says the bowl is limited.
494
00:27:47,068 --> 00:27:51,235
He will come to an end for the one who makes a sacrifice.
495
00:27:56,429 --> 00:27:59,512
She talks about a sacrificial bowl,
496
00:28:00,668 --> 00:28:02,918
a sign of the king's death.
497
00:28:03,808 --> 00:28:06,725
But which king is she referring to?
498
00:28:08,468 --> 00:28:10,051
The Persian king?
499
00:28:13,199 --> 00:28:14,529
Or Philip?
500
00:28:14,529 --> 00:28:16,308
(dramatic music)
501
00:28:16,308 --> 00:28:19,929
As always, Pythia's prophecies were cryptic.
502
00:28:19,929 --> 00:28:23,574
The priests decided upon their interpretation.
503
00:28:23,574 --> 00:28:26,491
They held the true power in Delphi.
504
00:28:28,989 --> 00:28:33,156
You wanted to know whether you defeat the Persians?
505
00:28:34,109 --> 00:28:37,359
The oracle said, "The king will die."
506
00:28:38,969 --> 00:28:40,970
Philip is in no doubt.
507
00:28:40,970 --> 00:28:43,387
The signs point to a victory.
508
00:28:46,830 --> 00:28:47,969
What's the matter?
509
00:28:47,969 --> 00:28:49,429
We'll fight the Persians.
510
00:28:49,429 --> 00:28:50,512
No, not us.
511
00:28:51,729 --> 00:28:53,550
Father has decided.
512
00:28:53,550 --> 00:28:57,234
Parmenion will go as an advance guard without us.
513
00:28:57,234 --> 00:28:59,295
What?
514
00:28:59,295 --> 00:29:00,212
Without us?
515
00:29:01,270 --> 00:29:05,430
Has he forgotten who won the Battle of Chaeronea?
516
00:29:05,430 --> 00:29:08,698
I think he fears that I'm better than him.
517
00:29:08,698 --> 00:29:12,280
(chattering and laughing)
518
00:29:12,280 --> 00:29:15,280
You should worry less about Philip
519
00:29:16,141 --> 00:29:18,474
and more about his new wife.
520
00:29:20,870 --> 00:29:22,226
He's always had many women.
521
00:29:22,226 --> 00:29:25,290
Why would this one be different?
522
00:29:25,290 --> 00:29:28,055
Don't be stupid.
523
00:29:28,055 --> 00:29:30,555
Your father will let you down.
524
00:29:31,530 --> 00:29:32,731
Mother, please.
525
00:29:32,731 --> 00:29:36,898
His new bride is dearer to him than I could ever be.
526
00:29:38,966 --> 00:29:41,790
Not because of her beauty,
527
00:29:41,790 --> 00:29:44,873
but because she is a true Macedonian.
528
00:29:47,940 --> 00:29:52,107
If she gives the king a son, he will ascend the thrown.
529
00:29:54,010 --> 00:29:55,640
(ominous music)
530
00:29:55,640 --> 00:29:56,473
A toast!
531
00:29:58,290 --> 00:30:01,045
(cups clinking)
532
00:30:01,045 --> 00:30:03,381
Let us drink to the royal couple!
533
00:30:03,381 --> 00:30:04,510
To their health!
534
00:30:04,510 --> 00:30:06,390
May they provide us with a crown prince
535
00:30:06,390 --> 00:30:08,473
of pure Macedonian blood!
536
00:30:09,380 --> 00:30:10,213
(crashing)
537
00:30:10,213 --> 00:30:11,710
See.
538
00:30:11,710 --> 00:30:13,350
What do you mean, huh?
539
00:30:13,350 --> 00:30:14,350
Alexander!
540
00:30:15,690 --> 00:30:16,970
He is drunk!
541
00:30:16,970 --> 00:30:17,803
Don't bother
542
00:30:17,803 --> 00:30:19,720
I am the heir to the throne!
543
00:30:19,720 --> 00:30:22,091
Apologize, Alexander.
544
00:30:22,091 --> 00:30:24,370
Mythalos is my guest.
545
00:30:24,370 --> 00:30:25,537
I apologize.
546
00:30:26,671 --> 00:30:29,571
If you pay me the necessary respect!
547
00:30:29,571 --> 00:30:31,404
I am still the king.
548
00:30:36,686 --> 00:30:38,811
I am still the king!
549
00:30:38,811 --> 00:30:41,991
And it's still me who decides.
550
00:30:41,991 --> 00:30:43,991
And you have to obey me.
551
00:30:46,785 --> 00:30:47,618
Obey!
552
00:30:47,618 --> 00:30:48,535
Obey you?
553
00:30:49,571 --> 00:30:50,571
Look at you!
554
00:30:52,092 --> 00:30:54,267
You want to fight the Persians,
555
00:30:54,267 --> 00:30:56,872
but you can't even walk straight!
556
00:30:56,872 --> 00:30:58,047
You fools!
557
00:30:58,047 --> 00:31:00,548
Together you united Greece in battle
558
00:31:00,548 --> 00:31:03,631
and now you argue amongst yourselves.
559
00:31:05,208 --> 00:31:06,734
Come on.
560
00:31:06,734 --> 00:31:09,693
We're not welcome anymore.
561
00:31:09,693 --> 00:31:12,443
(strained music)
562
00:31:13,413 --> 00:31:15,233
Just leave.
563
00:31:15,233 --> 00:31:18,074
I don't want to ever see you again!
564
00:31:18,074 --> 00:31:20,273
(dynamic music)
565
00:31:20,273 --> 00:31:22,589
Alexander and his mother went into exile,
566
00:31:22,589 --> 00:31:25,534
to Epirus, Olympias' home.
567
00:31:25,534 --> 00:31:28,034
Endless months passed without any contact
568
00:31:28,034 --> 00:31:30,070
between father and son.
569
00:31:30,070 --> 00:31:31,903
Alexander was shunned.
570
00:31:35,492 --> 00:31:38,875
But as he was needed for the war against Persia,
571
00:31:38,875 --> 00:31:42,625
the Macedonian court eventually sent for him.
572
00:31:45,300 --> 00:31:47,375
You called for me, Mother?
573
00:31:47,375 --> 00:31:48,465
Alexander.
574
00:31:48,465 --> 00:31:49,695
My old friend!
575
00:31:49,695 --> 00:31:52,591
(laughs)
576
00:31:52,591 --> 00:31:55,395
Demaratus was sent by your father,
577
00:31:55,395 --> 00:31:58,426
who wants to reconcile with you.
578
00:31:58,426 --> 00:31:59,591
Did he say so?
579
00:31:59,591 --> 00:32:00,997
You know him.
580
00:32:00,997 --> 00:32:05,157
An apology is even harder for him than praise.
581
00:32:05,157 --> 00:32:07,397
But he regrets your dispute
582
00:32:07,397 --> 00:32:09,687
and it is his most fervent wish
583
00:32:09,687 --> 00:32:12,077
that his son return to him.
584
00:32:12,077 --> 00:32:13,837
Hollow words.
585
00:32:13,837 --> 00:32:16,837
Hasn't Philip humiliated you enough?
586
00:32:18,162 --> 00:32:20,745
Instead of kneeling before him,
587
00:32:21,718 --> 00:32:24,117
you should take what is rightfully yours
588
00:32:24,117 --> 00:32:26,017
with a sword in your hand.
589
00:32:26,017 --> 00:32:27,778
But he's my father.
590
00:32:27,778 --> 00:32:29,611
Zeus is your father.
591
00:32:33,648 --> 00:32:35,648
Please leave us alone.
592
00:32:37,978 --> 00:32:38,811
Mother.
593
00:32:43,717 --> 00:32:47,550
I've learned to tell courage from foolishness.
594
00:32:48,817 --> 00:32:52,098
The Macedonian nobility is on his side.
595
00:32:52,098 --> 00:32:54,265
Then earn their support.
596
00:33:02,158 --> 00:33:03,825
Look at you, my son.
597
00:33:05,585 --> 00:33:09,018
You are everything that Philip isn't.
598
00:33:09,018 --> 00:33:11,601
He is coarse and you are noble.
599
00:33:13,698 --> 00:33:17,115
He is a warrior, but you, you are a king.
600
00:33:20,639 --> 00:33:21,472
Stop it!
601
00:33:22,719 --> 00:33:25,052
I won't fight my own father!
602
00:33:26,079 --> 00:33:28,079
He is not your father!
603
00:33:30,319 --> 00:33:34,510
It is not his blood that runs through your veins!
604
00:33:34,510 --> 00:33:37,843
(dark percussive music)
605
00:33:40,039 --> 00:33:42,206
We don't owe him anything.
606
00:33:43,999 --> 00:33:48,166
Olympias and Alexander have got common interests.
607
00:33:49,699 --> 00:33:53,866
Olympias can only influence the situation via her son.
608
00:33:54,794 --> 00:33:59,767
Her life could possibly depend on her son staying in power.
609
00:33:59,767 --> 00:34:03,299
(mystical music)
610
00:34:03,299 --> 00:34:04,789
Almost another year passed
611
00:34:04,789 --> 00:34:06,706
without further events.
612
00:34:08,779 --> 00:34:11,639
It was a wedding between the Macedonian royal dynasty
613
00:34:11,639 --> 00:34:15,722
and Olympia's family that marked a turning point.
614
00:34:18,499 --> 00:34:21,459
The dispute caused a stir in Pella.
615
00:34:21,459 --> 00:34:26,319
Upon Philip's invitation, Alexander finally returned.
616
00:34:26,319 --> 00:34:28,459
The men demonstrated their unity
617
00:34:28,459 --> 00:34:29,292
(clapping)
618
00:34:29,292 --> 00:34:32,542
in the best interests of their kingdom.
619
00:34:34,720 --> 00:34:38,887
King Philip didn't suspect an assassin among his guests.
620
00:34:41,640 --> 00:34:42,600
Behold!
621
00:34:42,600 --> 00:34:44,600
Father and son reunited.
622
00:34:46,320 --> 00:34:48,314
Father and son were reunited,
623
00:34:48,314 --> 00:34:51,148
but not everyone seemed to approve of the reconciliation.
624
00:34:51,148 --> 00:34:51,981
(gasps)
625
00:34:51,981 --> 00:34:53,468
(knife blade sings)
626
00:34:53,468 --> 00:34:54,301
(grunting)
627
00:34:54,301 --> 00:34:56,926
(clanking)
628
00:34:56,926 --> 00:34:59,561
(groaning)
629
00:34:59,561 --> 00:35:01,728
(panting)
630
00:35:03,942 --> 00:35:04,775
Father.
631
00:35:06,561 --> 00:35:10,728
The king was killed by his own bodyguard.
632
00:35:14,202 --> 00:35:15,035
Father!
633
00:35:17,761 --> 00:35:19,178
Someone help him!
634
00:35:23,461 --> 00:35:26,241
But it was too late for the sovereign.
635
00:35:26,241 --> 00:35:28,324
He died at the age of 46.
636
00:35:31,601 --> 00:35:33,561
King Philip is dead!
637
00:35:33,561 --> 00:35:35,644
Long live King Alexander!
638
00:35:37,659 --> 00:35:40,001
The way to the throne was opened.
639
00:35:40,001 --> 00:35:43,251
Alexander took over without hesitation.
640
00:35:45,054 --> 00:35:47,304
Long live King Alexander!
641
00:35:48,482 --> 00:35:51,101
(chanting) Long live King Alexander!
642
00:35:51,101 --> 00:35:52,341
Alexander and his mother
643
00:35:52,341 --> 00:35:55,216
were suspected of being instigators.
644
00:35:55,216 --> 00:35:58,781
Both had a motive, especially Olympias.
645
00:35:58,781 --> 00:36:02,221
She felt humiliated by Philip's new wife
646
00:36:02,221 --> 00:36:06,221
and she desperately wanted Alexander to be king.
647
00:36:08,361 --> 00:36:11,111
Philip's murder was never solved.
648
00:36:14,401 --> 00:36:16,721
If Olympias had given the impression
649
00:36:16,721 --> 00:36:19,521
of wanting to keep her place at court
650
00:36:19,521 --> 00:36:21,861
and support her son, Alexander,
651
00:36:21,861 --> 00:36:25,528
then such accusations were bound to be made.
652
00:36:26,761 --> 00:36:30,201
The next logical step for such a woman
653
00:36:30,201 --> 00:36:33,951
was to be unfaithful or to poison her husband
654
00:36:35,681 --> 00:36:37,880
or instigate murder.
655
00:36:37,880 --> 00:36:39,981
(ominous music)
656
00:36:39,981 --> 00:36:42,546
Alexander buried his father in Vergina.
657
00:36:42,546 --> 00:36:44,586
According to Macedonian customs,
658
00:36:44,586 --> 00:36:47,503
the burial chamber is under a hill.
659
00:36:50,221 --> 00:36:52,281
Whether it really is King Philip's tomb
660
00:36:52,281 --> 00:36:54,162
is unclear to this day.
661
00:36:54,162 --> 00:36:57,912
The precious grave furnishings do suggest it.
662
00:36:58,762 --> 00:37:02,929
The crown made of oak motifs is made from pure gold.
663
00:37:06,341 --> 00:37:09,462
The larnax is also made of gold.
664
00:37:09,462 --> 00:37:12,962
The lid is decorated with the Vergina Sun.
665
00:37:14,122 --> 00:37:16,357
The 16-rayed solar symbol
666
00:37:16,357 --> 00:37:20,024
is the emblem of Alexander's father, Philip.
667
00:37:23,006 --> 00:37:25,063
(suspenseful music)
668
00:37:25,063 --> 00:37:27,123
His legacy was a difficult one
669
00:37:27,123 --> 00:37:29,598
for the new king of Macedonia.
670
00:37:29,598 --> 00:37:31,681
Old opponents reappeared.
671
00:37:35,083 --> 00:37:39,419
Like his father, Alexander had to assert his sovereignty;
672
00:37:39,419 --> 00:37:41,664
if necessary, by force.
673
00:37:41,664 --> 00:37:43,831
Alexander began from zero.
674
00:37:47,479 --> 00:37:49,924
The Athenians used the change in power
675
00:37:49,924 --> 00:37:53,724
to question Macedonia's leading role.
676
00:37:53,724 --> 00:37:56,807
Again, Demosthenes was the spokesman.
677
00:37:59,344 --> 00:38:02,177
The gods have heard our prayers.
678
00:38:03,704 --> 00:38:07,704
They punished that tyrant Philip with his death.
679
00:38:08,644 --> 00:38:10,764
We have to act now.
680
00:38:10,764 --> 00:38:12,879
It's time to rebel against Alexander
681
00:38:12,879 --> 00:38:15,629
and take vengeance for Chaeronea.
682
00:38:18,985 --> 00:38:23,002
For the freedom of Athens, take up arms!
683
00:38:23,002 --> 00:38:26,125
(dramatic music)
684
00:38:26,125 --> 00:38:29,124
The tribes in the north rebelled first,
685
00:38:29,124 --> 00:38:34,024
followed by the big city states led by Athens and Thebes.
686
00:38:34,024 --> 00:38:37,704
No one wanted to miss out in the struggle for power,
687
00:38:37,704 --> 00:38:40,871
but the battle still had to be fought.
688
00:38:42,245 --> 00:38:43,889
(foreboding music)
689
00:38:43,889 --> 00:38:46,572
Alexander quickly moved from the battlefields
690
00:38:46,572 --> 00:38:49,047
in the north to Thebes,
691
00:38:49,047 --> 00:38:52,365
but he tried to be diplomatic at first.
692
00:38:52,365 --> 00:38:56,198
He promised to spare them if they surrendered.
693
00:38:58,384 --> 00:38:59,884
And?
694
00:39:01,576 --> 00:39:03,909
The Thebans won't give in.
695
00:39:05,440 --> 00:39:07,275
They'd rather fight for their freedom
696
00:39:07,275 --> 00:39:09,525
than surrender to a tyrant.
697
00:39:18,261 --> 00:39:20,261
(sighs)
698
00:39:21,381 --> 00:39:25,048
Some even believe you were killed in battle.
699
00:39:26,571 --> 00:39:30,381
Then a dead man will teach them fear.
700
00:39:30,381 --> 00:39:32,871
(dynamic music)
701
00:39:32,871 --> 00:39:36,402
Alexander acted like a cold power politician.
702
00:39:36,402 --> 00:39:40,485
Without hesitation, he made an example of Thebes.
703
00:39:43,417 --> 00:39:47,942
His troupes conquered the city and flattened it.
704
00:39:47,942 --> 00:39:50,275
More than 6,000 people died.
705
00:39:52,562 --> 00:39:56,729
Neither friend nor foe was to be left in any doubt.
706
00:39:59,817 --> 00:40:03,984
Alexander was determined to assert his leading role.
707
00:40:07,297 --> 00:40:11,643
The survivors of the massacre were all made slaves.
708
00:40:11,643 --> 00:40:15,562
The measures were approved by the League of Corinth.
709
00:40:15,562 --> 00:40:19,729
He justified it with the claim that Thebes broke the pact.
710
00:40:24,222 --> 00:40:28,755
The destruction of Thebes was a clear signal
711
00:40:28,755 --> 00:40:30,672
to all cities in Greece
712
00:40:32,991 --> 00:40:36,241
that opposed the supremacy of Macedonia
713
00:40:37,671 --> 00:40:40,751
embodied by the King of Macedonia,
714
00:40:40,751 --> 00:40:44,001
the commander of the League of Corinth.
715
00:40:46,006 --> 00:40:50,281
The citizens of Athens wrote to Alexander,
716
00:40:50,281 --> 00:40:54,448
King of Macedonia, the new hegemon of the League of Corinth.
717
00:40:58,761 --> 00:41:01,594
We praise you and congratulate you
718
00:41:03,061 --> 00:41:05,841
on the punishment of Thebes.
719
00:41:05,841 --> 00:41:08,591
We renew our oath to your father.
720
00:41:09,442 --> 00:41:11,321
We will stand by you
721
00:41:11,321 --> 00:41:14,821
as you are the defender of freedom always.
722
00:41:16,382 --> 00:41:20,501
Resistance was overcome and peace was secured.
723
00:41:20,501 --> 00:41:25,261
Now, it was time for Alexander to focus on foreign affairs.
724
00:41:25,261 --> 00:41:27,428
(??music)
725
00:41:28,342 --> 00:41:32,041
The coast beyond the Dardanelles, in today's Turkey,
726
00:41:32,041 --> 00:41:35,481
was his next destination in his campaign
727
00:41:35,481 --> 00:41:37,814
against Greece's arch enemy.
728
00:41:42,396 --> 00:41:46,381
Alexander prepared for battle against the king of kings,
729
00:41:46,381 --> 00:41:49,381
the sovereign of the Persian Empire.
730
00:41:51,971 --> 00:41:55,323
The most powerful empire in the world at the time
731
00:41:55,323 --> 00:41:58,075
reached across three continents
732
00:41:58,075 --> 00:42:01,700
and featured insurmountable mountain ranges.
733
00:42:01,700 --> 00:42:04,495
It touched the Indian borders.
734
00:42:04,495 --> 00:42:07,938
(soaring music)
735
00:42:07,938 --> 00:42:09,038
(people shouting)
736
00:42:09,038 --> 00:42:12,275
Even Babylon, the prettiest city of the East,
737
00:42:12,275 --> 00:42:17,200
was conquered by the Persians and made their second capitol.
738
00:42:17,200 --> 00:42:20,580
Their army was 300,000 men strong
739
00:42:20,580 --> 00:42:23,408
and caused fear and terror everywhere.
740
00:42:23,408 --> 00:42:25,741
(screaming)
741
00:42:27,710 --> 00:42:31,074
King Darius was a mighty, powerful enemy.
742
00:42:31,074 --> 00:42:33,161
Fighting a war against him
743
00:42:33,161 --> 00:42:36,828
would be a battle between David and Goliath.
744
00:42:39,441 --> 00:42:42,561
But the Macedonian didn't know fear.
745
00:42:42,561 --> 00:42:46,981
Alexander was determined to imitate Achilles.
746
00:42:46,981 --> 00:42:49,061
Just like the mythical hero,
747
00:42:49,061 --> 00:42:53,228
he wanted to take revenge and bring victory to Greece.
748
00:42:55,941 --> 00:42:58,521
In the spring of 334 B.C.,
749
00:42:58,521 --> 00:43:02,261
one of the biggest invasions in history began.
750
00:43:02,261 --> 00:43:04,594
Alexander risked everything.
751
00:43:08,181 --> 00:43:10,931
(mystical music)
53908
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