Alexander’s cam paign was too short to overhaul the entire composition of the empire, but
he also did not need to because of the already reliable and strong foundational structures. 28
Lenfant argues that the weak and decadent image of the Persian Empire carried by many
classical scholars was a result of a political campaign against Artaxerxes II by Cyrus the
Younger. 29 Alexander most likely knew this or discovered it early on his campaign as he kept
the mechanical workings of the empire the same. We see here Alexander being pragmatic,
only maintaining Persian systems because of their efficiency.
He did however dilute their power, which saw Persian nobles and satrapies losing
authority whilst maintaining public roles. This rejects the image of Alexander that loved and
embraced Persian culture, and stands to support a pragmatic and practical Alexander.
Plutarch asserts that he was aware that a combination of Persian and Macedonian
administration would ease his empire. 30 At the start of his campaign, Alexander would often
leave Persians in notable authoritative roles, but surround them by Macedonians. In Egypt,
the local Doloaspis and Petisis were put in charge, alongside two Macedonian generals,
Peucestas and Balacrus. Alexander would opt for a policy of decentralisation for the smooth
management of his empire. 31 In Babylon, Alexander allowed Mazaeus to stay as satrap but
also placed the Macedonian general Apollodorus as commander of the garrison and
Asclepiodorus as tax collector. 32 We can see Alexander’s policy clearly here: leave
administration to the locals who were most knowledgeable but allow for military and
financial power (the real power) to be held in the hands of trustworthy Macedonians.
Although different conceptually, principally this is the same pragmatic Alexander that burnt
28 A. B. Bosworth, The Legacy of Alexander (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002), p. 2 29 Taietti, ‘Alexander III’s Empire’, p. 88 30 Plutarch, Lives. Alexander , 47.3 31 Taietti, ‘Alexander III’s Empire’, p. 88 32 Arrian, The Anabasis of Alexander , 3.16.4
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