and even to India. In the wake of his conquests, Greek cities were planted in many of these areas and after his death, Hellenized Macedonian dynasties continued to rule and exert cultural influence.

Perhaps the key impact of Alexander's actions was the creation of a cosmopolitan Hellenistic culture throughout the Mediterranean and extending into Persia and Mesopotamia, extending Greece's cultural influence far beyond the area of Greece proper. Although Alexander's empire quickly fell apart as his successors squabbled among themselves, the areas he conquered continued to develop strong cultural bonds among Greek-speaking elites and many artistic and architectural commonalities such as theaters and gymnasia. The Roman empire, as it expanded, subsumed the areas Alexander had conquered, but the cultural heritage remained.

Alexander the Great's main impact on Western Civilization was that he helped to create Hellenistic culture and definitely was the cause of its spread throughout the Middle East.  This may be said, for example, to have helped lead to Christianity in that it brought the Middle East into close connection with the European world.  The Romans would make this connection closer, allowing a Middle Eastern religion to spread to Europe.

Alexander also helped create Hellenistic civilization.  His conquests, and those of his father, helped to destroy the classical Greek civilization.  This led to new ideas such as those of the Sophists and Epicureans that have become part of our cultural heritage.

Alexander the Great's main impact on Eastern civilization was that, by conquering the Persian Empire, he introduced Greek civilization and culture into east Asia (and the other way around). Greek influences can be seen throughout Central Asia in sculptures, temples, amphitheaters, and other places. Since the Persian Empire sat astride the trade routes that connected India, China, and elsewhere on the vast continent, his conquests brought Asian goods into Mediterranean markets to a far greater extent than ever before. The culture that resulted from this confluence of civilizations was known as "Hellenistic," and it encompassed the entire Mediterranean basin, the Fertile Crescent, and beyond. This period lasted until the final conquest of the Greek-speaking world by the Romans, who maintained the commercial and economic connections with the Asian world established by Alexander. Alexander the Great's conquests connected Asia and the Mediterranean. Greek learning, religion, and philosophy melded with Indian culture, Chinese culture, and many other cultures with profound consequences for all peoples involved.