Alexander the
Great, who is also known as Alexander III of Macedon is one of
the most well-known figures of antiquity. During his life, he
became a Greek king and succeeded in creating one of the largest
empires in ancient history. Although he only lived to the age
of 32 years, he achieved much during his life.
Alexander the Great was born in Pella in 356 BC to father Philip
II of Macedon and mother Olympias. As a child, he obtained a classical
Greek education from philosopher Aristotle and by the time he was
twenty years old, he succeeded his father, after he was killed, to
the throne.
Alexander’s mother was a very ambitious women and she encouraged
her son to aim high. She believed his destiny was to conquer the
Persian empire. Alexander’s father was a very competitive and
reckless man who went after what he wanted. These two strong personalities
made Alexander the violent, rash, stubborn and impulsive man he became.
He was also a very fast learner and great problem solver. They also
helped create one the greatest military geniuses in all of history.
At the age of sixteen, after his father had departed for the war
against Byzantium, young Alexander took over the kingdom as regent.
The things that would define the young man in his later years were
learned quickly during this time when the Thracian Maedi rebelled
against Macedonian power. Alexander managed to quickly defeat the
Maedi insurgence and drove them away. The territory was than colonized
with Greeks and the city of Alexandropolis was founded.
Once in power,
Alexander began his time in power with the killing of his potential
rivals to the
throne including his own cousin and two Macedonian princes. In
the years that followed, he went to succeed at many things. Here
are some of the major events that occurred over Alexander the Great’s
lifetime:
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• In 335 BC, Alexander makes his way North to deal with Thrace and Illyria. Later
that year, the revolt of Thebes follows.
• In 334 BC, Alexander and his forces cross into Asia Minor and that Spring the
Battle of Granicus takes place
• In 332 BC, Alexander wins the siege of Tyre and attacks Gaza, which falls.
• In 331 BC Alexandria is established.
• In 327 BC, Alexander marries Roxane and begins his march to
India
• In 326 BC, Alexander wins the battle of the River Hydaspes
against Porus.
• In 324 BC, the Troops mutiny at Opis
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Alexander the great
died at the age of 32 in 323 BC at Babylon. There are several possible
theories that can be attributed to his untimely death at such a
young age. Many thought foul play, namely poisoning, was involved.
This is easily debunked by the fact that there were twelve days
between the time he fell ill and died. A long-lasting poison like
this was most likely not available during that time. It is more
likely that Alexander succumbed to natural causes caused by many
of the illnesses that may have been going around at the time such
as Malaria or Typhoid Fever. Heavy drinking may have hurried along
any pre-existing health problems he may have had. Sadly, after
his death, his empire was torn apart by a several civil wars. Alexander
the Great’s reign and empire may have been cut short too
early but his exploits became legendary and are still today in
military academies around the world to this day.
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