Following in the Footsteps of Alexander: Exploring the Ancient Sites of His Lost Kingdom

Following in the Footsteps of Alexander: Exploring the Ancient Sites of His Lost Kingdom - The Grandeur of Persepolis

Of all the ancient cities Alexander conquered during his meteoric rise to power, none compares to the grandeur of Persepolis. This magnificent complex was the capital of the ancient Persian Achaemenid Empire, and it served as a demonstration of their wealth and power. Though Alexander burned Persepolis in 330 BCE after a drunken revelry got out of hand, its imposing ruins still manage to captivate the imagination today.

A visit to Persepolis is like traveling back in time to the era of mighty kings and lavish empires. As you walk up the grand staircase, flanked by monumental sculptures, you can almost see the vast armies of ancient Persia marching to war or imagine the splendid ceremonies held here long ago. At the top lies the awe-inspiring Gate of All Nations, a 60-foot tall entrance bearing reliefs of Persian soldiers from different nations under Xerxes' rule.

Beyond the gate, you'll find the Apadana, an enormous audience hall used for receiving dignitaries and subjects that spans over 60,000 square feet. This massive hall demonstrates the imperial power of ancient Persia, with its 72 imposing columns and intricately carved reliefs of Persian nobles. As you take in the delicate details, like soldiers bearing spears and servants carrying lotus flowers, it's hard not to feel dwarfed by the sheer scale.
Yet for all its grandeur, Persepolis has a serene, welcoming atmosphere. Light pours into the Apadana from an open ceiling, and the smooth COLUMNs are cool to the touch. Alexander himself was said to have regretted burning Persepolis to the ground. As you sit atop the eastern stairs, gazing out at the ruins melting into the rugged mountains beyond, you'll understand why this city made such an impression on those who passed through.

What else is in this post?

1. Following in the Footsteps of Alexander: Exploring the Ancient Sites of His Lost Kingdom - The Grandeur of Persepolis
2. Following in the Footsteps of Alexander: Exploring the Ancient Sites of His Lost Kingdom - Babylon: Once a Jewel, Now Ruins
3. Following in the Footsteps of Alexander: Exploring the Ancient Sites of His Lost Kingdom - The Imposing Gates of Gaugamela
4. Following in the Footsteps of Alexander: Exploring the Ancient Sites of His Lost Kingdom - Alexandria, the Great Conqueror's Namesake
5. Following in the Footsteps of Alexander: Exploring the Ancient Sites of His Lost Kingdom - In the Shadow of Arbela, Where an Empire was Won
6. Following in the Footsteps of Alexander: Exploring the Ancient Sites of His Lost Kingdom - Seeking Out the Lost Tomb at Siwah
7. Following in the Footsteps of Alexander: Exploring the Ancient Sites of His Lost Kingdom - Retracing the Route to the Indus River Valley
8. Following in the Footsteps of Alexander: Exploring the Ancient Sites of His Lost Kingdom - The Fabled City of Ai-Khanoum

Following in the Footsteps of Alexander: Exploring the Ancient Sites of His Lost Kingdom - Babylon: Once a Jewel, Now Ruins

Slumbering under the desert sands of Iraq lies Babylon, once the greatest city in the world. Though its glory has faded, exploring its ruins offers a portal into the opulence of ancient Mesopotamia. For those captivated by histories lost sands of time, Babylon's crumbling walls still whisper tales of the kings and conquests that shaped civilization.
As you pass through the towering Ishtar Gate, adorned with lapis lazuli tiles and images of dragons and bulls, you can imagine the awe it inspired in ancient visitors. This blue jewel of a gate marked the entrance to Babylon's inner sanctum, the processional way leading to temples and palaces. Here, Nebuchadnezzar II and the rulers that followed him would have paraded through in extravagant ceremonies. The vivid cobalt gate must have been mesmerizing to desert travelers approaching Babylon's towering walls.

Beyond lies the ruins of Nebuchadnezzar's fabled Hanging Gardens, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Though its exact location remains unknown, many believe it was an artificial mountain of gardens and terraces irrigated by an elaborate system of pumps, waterwheels and reservoirs. Some accounts describe the dazzling display of exotic plants and animals that thrived in this desert oasis, a testament to the engineering genius of Babylon's people.
The sheer scale of Babylon's ancient structures is awe-inspiring, even in their crumbled state. The foundations of temple towers, grand palaces and the dancers' quarters still sprawl across the dusty earth. Looking out from the heights of these ruins, you can picture Babylon's walls gleaming in the sun, once over 50 feet thick and studded with 250 watchtowers. It's staggering to imagine this great metropolis was once home to over 200,000 people during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar.

Following in the Footsteps of Alexander: Exploring the Ancient Sites of His Lost Kingdom - The Imposing Gates of Gaugamela

Though the sands have long-since reclaimed the battlefield of Gaugamela, this humble area of northern Iraq was once the site of Alexander's greatest military victory, where his forces defeated the massive Persian army under Darius III. As you traverse the rolling hills dotted with small villages, it's hard to imagine that the fate of nations hung in the balance here over 2,300 years ago. But small details bring this clash of titans to life: fragments of ancient spearheads glinting in the grass, the massive trench dug by Darius to trap Alexander's cavalry.
Most evocative are the remains of two imposing gates that once guarded the approach to Darius' camp, providing a narrow entry point that funneled invaders into a kill zone. Eroded by time, only the brick foundations remain. Yet standing atop the crumbling base of the Western gate and gazing east, you gain a new appreciation for the tactical genius behind Darius' strategy.

The flat plains provided no cover for Alexander's smaller force to advance; any assault would have been brutally exposed. And the gates formed a daunting barrier, limiting access and mobility. Understanding this brings the accounts of Alexander's daring nighttime reconnaissance to vivid life. Under cover of darkness, he led a small contingent on a daring inspection of the Persian defenses. Approaching within a bow shot of the gates, they gained invaluable intelligence on Persian numbers and deployment - knowledge that proved decisive the next day.

Strolling the battlefield, you notice subtle undulations in the terrain that would have concealed troop movements, shifting the course of history in an instant. The scattered remains of arrows, spears and armor convey viscerally the ferocity of combat. Standing amidst the silent ruins, you can almost hear the thunder of hooves, the cries of the wounded and dying, the clash of steel on steel that decided the fate of nations.

Following in the Footsteps of Alexander: Exploring the Ancient Sites of His Lost Kingdom - Alexandria, the Great Conqueror's Namesake

Of all the cities Alexander founded during his extensive campaigns, none was closer to his heart than his namesake Alexandria in Egypt. Though other Alexandrias dotted the Hellenic world from Anatolia to Afghanistan, this bustling port city encapsulated Alexander’s vision for the future. Exploring Alexandria today provides a fascinating glimpse into the birth of a cosmopolitan metropolis that bridged Eastern and Western culture.

Modern Alexandria may be gritty and chaotic, but wandering its streets offers tantalizing glimpses into its ancient past. In the ruins of the Serapeum Temple near Pompey's Pillar, you can envision the monumental scale of this vast temple complex, one of the largest in the ancient world. Giant red Aswan granite columns still litter the ground where they toppled during centuries of turmoil. Standing amidst their massive bulk, you gain perspective on the extraordinary engineering prowess required to erect these ancient wonders.
Yet more poignant are the everyday artifacts hinting at daily life. At Kom el-Dikka, you can descend underground into a majestic Roman theater and stroll streets lined with intricate mosaic floors of homes and shops. Intricately patterned tiles depicting Phyrigian caps, lotus flowers, and exotic animals transport you back in time. Wandering this well-preserved neighborhood, you can almost see merchants hawk their wares, children play in the street, and neighbors gossiping.

But most evocative of Alexandria’s history is its iconic harbor and corniche. Strolling the winding waterfront, you pass old-world cafes and patisseries where the likes of Cavafy and Lawrence Durrell once sipped coffee and found inspiration. The charming architecture transports you to a bygone era. And gazing out at the windswept Mediterranean, you can envision the bustling port that once received shipments of grain and exotic goods from across three continents. You can almost hear the cries of sailors and stevedores that once filled the air.
Yet Alexandria’s cosmopolitan character remains, particularly in the incredible diversity of its cuisine. Aromatic shawarma wafts from street stalls, while cheerful cafes serve up falafel and tahini. Bakeries display glistening sweets and buttery pastries that melt in your mouth. And of course, fresh seafood abounds, from just-caught prawns to crab simmered in spices. With so many culinary influences converging, Alexandria remains a food-lover’s paradise.

Following in the Footsteps of Alexander: Exploring the Ancient Sites of His Lost Kingdom - In the Shadow of Arbela, Where an Empire was Won

Of all the pivotal battles in history, few compare to the fight at Arbela in northern Iraq that catapulted Alexander the Great to unrivaled power. Here, in 331 BC, Alexander’s forces dealt the decisive blow against the Persian Empire of Darius III, ushering in a seismic shift for the ancient world. Retracing Alexander’s route to Arbela and exploring its windswept plains offers an unforgettable portal into this turning point that altered civilization.
Modern-day Arbela lies nestled amidst rolling farmland and small villages, with little evidence of its monumental history. Yet for those who know where to look, echoes of Alexander’s defining triumph stir the imagination. Just north of the village of Nahr al-'Umara lies a Bronze Age tell, or mound, known as Qal'at Sherqat. Historians believe this 100-foot hill was part of Arbela’s ancient citadel, where Darius had established his headquarters. Standing atop its weathered mudbrick ramparts, you can envision the sprawling encampment of over 1 million Persian soldiers that once surrounded you. This arid landscape suddenly teems with life as you visualize the vast armies, archers, chariots and cavalry that Darius summoned in a bid to crush the invaders. The winds seem to carry the sounds of whinnying horses and clanking armor across the plains.
South of the tell lies farmland that obscures ancient waterways, like the Bumodus River where Alexander rested his troops before advancing on Arbela. Strolling along irrigation canals, you can imagine how these nourishing waters sustained both armies. And wandering distant hillsides, you discover arrows or pieces of armor poking from the soil - remnants of skirmishes as scouts probed for weakness in enemy lines. At the village of Sheikhan, the archaeological site of Tulul al-Aqarib contains a portion of ancient roadway still paved with limestone blocks that may have conveyed Darius’ forces. Everywhere, subtle signs bring the monumental clash here to life.

Following in the Footsteps of Alexander: Exploring the Ancient Sites of His Lost Kingdom - Seeking Out the Lost Tomb at Siwah

Of all the mysteries surrounding Alexander's epic quests, few rival the enduring enigma of his pilgrimage to the desert oracle at Siwah in Egypt. After conquering Egypt in 332 BCE, Alexander made the grueling 200 mile journey west across the Sahara to consult the famous oracle of Amun. Yet discovering why has intrigued historians for centuries. Some speculate Alexander wished to confirm his divine parentage. Others believe he sought strategic advice on upcoming battles or the location of his lost tomb. But finding answers proves as challenging today as unlocking the secrets of the sphinx.

Retracing Alexander's route offers a window into the magnitude of his journey. Setting out from Memphis, the road to Siwah was desolate and forbidding, with rare oases the only respite. Reaching the crystalline waters after days in the withering heat must have seemed like arriving in paradise. In the remote village of Siwah today, the breathtaking sight of The Spring of the Sun rising from the desert still evokes an aura of purification and rebirth.

At the ruins of Aghurmi, the crumbling remnants of the Temple of Amun hint at Siwah's former splendor. Though Alexander found the temple in disrepair after Persian invasions, he later restored Siwah to its former glory. Walking among the collapsed Corinthian columns and eroded carvings of rams, you can almost hear the mumblings of the oracle herself, hidden away while priests interpreted her cryptic messages.
Some historians believe Alexander consulted the oracle for guidance on constructing his legendary lost tomb. Traditions say he wanted to locate his final resting place in this isolated spot that had seized his imagination. However, accounts vary widely - some place the tomb at Alexandria, others in the royal cemeteries of Macedonia. Its location remains one of antiquity's profound mysteries.

Following in the Footsteps of Alexander: Exploring the Ancient Sites of His Lost Kingdom - Retracing the Route to the Indus River Valley

Of all the lands Alexander conquered, few compared to the scale and splendor of the Indus River Valley. While largely forgotten today, retracing Alexander's route into India recaptures the wonder and challenges of penetrating this lush, exotic realm.

Modern-day Pakistan offers only faded glimmers of the landscapes that so enthralled Alexander's army. Yet ruins like Taxila near Islamabad preserve echoes of this region's ancient grandeur. Founded in the 6th century BCE, Taxila was once a major center of trade, religion and learning on Central Asia's Silk Road. Strolling its archaeological ruins, you envision the exotic goods and foreign languages that filled its bustling bazaars. The Dharmarajika Buddhist stupa and temple complex hint at the religious melting pot this city once was. The sheer scale of buildings conveys Taxila's prestige as a pillar of industry and culture.
Beyond Taxila, the terrain grows increasingly inhospitable, as it must have for Alexander's forces. In the salt ranges of Punjab, only scrub vegetation survives in the arid foothills. You can imagine the parched throats of Macedonian soldiers unaccustomed to such barren extremes. Passing colonial forts and crumbling caravanserais, you envisage the vital lifelines these outposts provided on the frontier.

Reaching the Indus itself overwhelms the senses - the icy snowmelt surging down from Tibet, the cacophony of Pashto and Punjabi mixing on crowded ferries, the congenial chaos of the riverside fish market in Lehri. Alexander himself founded the city of Alexandria on the Indus as his farthest outpost. Though its ruins have long since faded, standing on the riverbank stirring your senses, you grasp why this mighty waterway captivated his imagination.

Following in the Footsteps of Alexander: Exploring the Ancient Sites of His Lost Kingdom - The Fabled City of Ai-Khanoum

Of all the Hellenistic cities founded in Alexander’s wake, none has captured the imagination quite like Ai-Khanoum along the Amu Darya river in modern-day Afghanistan. Long considered almost mythical, this ancient city on the frontier of Alexander’s furthest conquests was only rediscovered in the mid-20th century. But excavations have revealed an astonishing portal into cross-cultural fusion and the tides of change ushered in by Alexander’s epic campaigns.

Wandering the arid heights above the Amu Darya today, it’s hard to envision that a thriving Greek polis once stood here, over 2,000 miles from Athens. Yet shaded under dusty tarps near the village of Shamshir Ghar lie striking remnants of Ai-Khanoum’s cosmopolitan past. Delicately carved Corinthian columns greet visitors entering the city gymnasium, where Greek-style athletics and education transformed local life. The imposing stone outlines of a Greco-Bactrian theater whisper of poetry readings and drama that once gave citizens a window onto the wider world. Potsherds unearthed in temples and homes reveal Greek gods and architectural motifs intermingling with Eastern designs. Everywhere, artifacts speak volumes about the intercultural fusion that blossomed in the wake of Alexander’s contact with this region.
Most evocative is the shattered colossus of a Greek warrior discovered near the citadel’s palace. His regal drapery and confident posture exude power, while the fusion of European and Asian facial features captures Ai-Khanoum’s Greco-Bactrian heritage. This larger-than-life statue reminds us that Alexander’s influence stretched far beyond military conquest to radically reshape culture, identity, and beliefs.

Indeed, while founded as an Alexandrian garrison town in 329 BCE, Ai-Khanoum rapidly grew into a thriving economic hub where Greek settlers, Persian bureaucrats, and Bactrian natives intermingled for centuries. Records show they traded textiles, spices, and exotic commodities from India and China. The diversity of cultures passing through sparked innovation in art, architecture, philosophy and governance that blended eastern and western traditions. Sadly, Ai-Khanoum was destroyed around 145 BCE during nomadic invasions. But for over 180 years, it stood as a crossroads of civilizations - the farthest eastern outpost of Hellenism that so defined Alexander’s legacy.