Alexander the Great was One of the Greatest Leaders

In this paper I will be covering his early life, what he did while he was ruling and what happened to Rome after he died.

Alexander the Great was born in the Pella Region, located in Macedonia, on July 20, 356 B.C. to parents King Phillip II and Queen Olympia. Alexander and his sister were raised in Pella’s royal court. Alexander’s father was not a big part of his life, King Phillip spent most of his time in military campaigns.

His mother served as a powerful role model to him. However, Alexander grew to resent his father’s absence. Alexander received his education from a relative named Leonidas of Epirus. Math, horsemanship and archery were taught to Alexander by Leonidas. Since Alexander was a rebellious student his father replaced Leonidas with Lysimachus who used role playing to get his attention. Then in 343 B.C. King Phillip II hired Aristotle, a Greek philosopher, to teach philosophy, poetry, drama, science and politics. The Iliad, a poem by Homer was a true inspiration to Alexander to become a warrior hero. Alexander completed his education in 340 B.C. at Meiza. A year later, while still a teen he became a soldier and went on his first expedition against enemies of the state. Alexander aided his father and they defeated the Thracian Tribes.

After winning his first war something tragic happened, his father was killed by a Macedonian noble. After this occurrence Alexander was determined to take over the throne. Alexander quickly gained the support of the Macedonian army and they proceeded to eliminate all the potential threats to Alexander’s throne. Even though Alexander control he didn’t get all the control right away. Greece was celebrating Phillip II death and Athens had its own agenda. By the fall of 336 B.C. the Greek city states that belonged to the Corinthian League, had been granted full military power to Alexander. Before preparing to fight Persia, he conquered the Thracian Tribes which secured the north borders. After defeating Persia, Alexander he got news that Thebes had forced out Macedonian Troops. Alexander feared revolt, so he marched an army of 3,000 cavalry and 30,000 infantries, all the way to the Greek Peninsula. Three days after Alexander’s army arrived, he led the “”Massacre of Thebes.”” He had hoped that the destruction of Thebes would serve as a warning, to other city states wanting to revolt. His tactic worked, and the other city states chose to pledge their alliance with Macedonia or remain neutral. In 334 Alexander started his expedition to Asia. Alexander faced King Darius III near the Granicus River. Darius and his troops were easily defeated. By fall Alexander and his troops made it across the coast of Asia. The following summer Darius and Alexander battled it out at Issus. Alexanders army was outnumbered so he used his flair for military strategy to create formations that defeat the Persians and cause Darius to flee according to biography.com. Next up on his agenda was to conquer Egypt. Without much resistance, Egypt quickly fell to Alexander. Later that year, Alexander defeated the Persians at the Battle of Gaugamela. When the Persian army collapsed Alexander became known as “”King of Babylon, King of Asia, and King of the Four Quarters of the World.”” His next victory was seizing the fortress Ariamazes, located in present day eastern Iran. With this victory he also created Macedonians colonies. In 328 he defeated the King of India, Porus. According to biography.com Alexander liked him so much he reinstated him. On his way back along the Indus he was wounded by Mali warriors. After he had recovered from his injuries he moved along the Persian Gulf. Many of his troops got ill and died. His last stop was the city of Susa. In an attempt to remain in power, he tried creating a ruling class, consisting of Macedonians and Persian nobles. Since that didn’t work out, he wanted Macedonians to marry Persian Princesses. People condemned Alexander for adopting Persian customs and manners. The Thanksgiving feast as Susa was supposed to be focused on the bond between the Persians and Macedonians but it didn’t quite go as planned.

After the fight with Persia Alexander the Great died from malaria in Babylon on June 13, 323 B.C. at the age of 32. Shortly after he his tragic death his wife Roxana gave birth to his son, Alexander IV of Macedon. After he had died his empire collapsed and the nations within fought each other for power.

The action’s and decisions of Alexander the Great, has made a huge impact on the world, specifically the western part. He left behind a legacy that is not only known in the west but the whole world.

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