Alexander the Great
Who was Alexander the Great?
King of Macedonia and conqueror of Achaemenid Persia (356–323 BC)
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Alexander the Great (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Alexander III of Macedon, better known as Alexander the Great, ruled Macedonia from 336 to 323 BC and built one of the largest empires of ancient times. Born in Pella on July 20 or 21, 356 BC, he was the son of Philip II of Macedon and Olympias of Epirus. He was educated by the philosopher Aristotle until he was 16, learning politics, philosophy, and military strategy, which helped in his future conquests. When Philip II was killed in 336 BC, Alexander became king at 20, facing challenges to his rule from both Macedonia and Greek city-states seeking independence.
Alexander showed his military skill early in his rule. After securing control in Macedonia and Greece, he started his famous campaign against the Persian Achaemenid Empire in 334 BC with about 35,000 troops. His military smarts were clear in key battles like the Granicus River, Issus in 333 BC where he beat Darius III, and the crucial victory at Gaugamela in 331 BC that effectively ended Persian resistance. After these wins, he pursued Darius III across the empire until the Persian king's death in 330 BC, after which Alexander called himself the rightful successor to the Achaemenid throne.
Alexander's ambitions went beyond Persia into Central Asia and India. His army crossed the Hindu Kush mountains, conquering areas in today’s Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Battle of the Hydaspes in 326 BC against King Porus showed Alexander’s skill in adapting his tactics to new challenges, using innovative river-crossing techniques and cavalry to combat war elephants. However, his troops grew tired and homesick, forcing a stop to further expansion at the Beas River.
In his final years, Alexander tried to integrate his vast empire by blending cultures. He encouraged his officers to marry Persian noblewomen, and he married three women himself: Roxana of Bactria, Stateira (daughter of Darius III), and Parysatis II. He adopted Persian customs and administrative styles and founded numerous cities, many named Alexandria. His sudden death in Babylon on June 10 or 11, 323 BC, at 32, is still a mystery, with theories ranging from fever and illness to possible poisoning. His empire quickly fell apart among his generals, known as the Diadochi, since he left no clear plan for who would succeed him.
Before Fame
Alexander's rise to greatness started with his top-notch education and the political scene in 4th-century Macedonia. His father, Philip II, turned Macedonia from a minor kingdom into Greece's leading power through military improvements like the sarissa phalanx and a professional army. Under Aristotle's guidance from ages 13 to 16, Alexander learned about rhetoric, literature, science, medicine, and philosophy at the Temple of the Nymphs at Mieza. These years sparked his curiosity and love for Greek culture, especially the heroic ideals in Homer's Iliad.
As a young prince, he got hands-on military experience by joining his father on campaigns and leading the Companion cavalry at the Battle of Chaeronea in 338 BC, where the Macedonians defeated the Greek allies. This win secured Macedonian dominance in Greece and paved the way for Philip's planned attack on Persia. When Philip was assassinated, Alexander took the throne, already showing the leadership skills and strategic thinking that would define his future conquests.
Key Achievements
- Conquered the entire Persian Achaemenid Empire, the largest empire of its time
- Created an empire stretching from Egypt to India covering approximately 2 million square miles
- Remained undefeated in battle throughout his military career
- Established the Hellenistic period by spreading Greek culture across the ancient world
- Founded numerous cities that became major centers of trade and learning
Did You Know?
- 01.Alexander slept with a copy of Homer's Iliad under his pillow, annotated by Aristotle, and considered Achilles his role model
- 02.He founded over 20 cities named Alexandria, with Alexandria in Egypt becoming the most famous and serving as a center of learning for centuries
- 03.Alexander's horse Bucephalas, whom he tamed as a boy, accompanied him on campaigns for nearly 20 years until the horse's death in India
- 04.He never lost a battle in over 15 years of continuous warfare across three continents
- 05.After conquering Persepolis, Alexander burned the palace of Xerxes, allegedly to avenge the Persian destruction of Athens during the Greco-Persian Wars