Macedonia: Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great was born in 356 B.C, and was the son of King Philip II of Macedonia. He was born in the city of Pella. According to legend, Alexander's real father was Zeus. Philip was often away at war, so Alexander rarely saw his father. His mother, Olympias, may also have instilled in him a resentment of his father.

By the age of twelve, Alexander had tamed a wild horse named Bucephalus. For the majority of Alexander's life, the horse accompanied him in battle.

Bucephalus is generally considered to be the most famous horse in history, and stories also say the the horse may have been afraid of his own shadow.

When Alexander was thirteen, Aristotle was hired to tutor him. Throughout his education, Alexander became very interested in literature, philosophy, science, and medicine.

At the age of sixteen, Alexander was left in charge of Macedonia while his father went to war. Soon, Alexander seized the opportunity to battle against a supposedly unbeatable army in Thebes. His calvary won the battle, and this was one of Alexander's first great military conquests.

In 336 B.C, Philip II was assassinated. It is surmised that Alexander ay have had a hand in his father's death. At only 20 years old, Alexander claimed the throne. He decided to continue his father's quest of world domination.

To run affairs in Macedonia while he was away, Alexander appointed Antipater as a regent. Alexander then proceeded to invade Persia.

After being victorious at the Granicus river, Alexander captured the city of Sardes. However, he was met with resistance in the cities of Miletus, Mylasa and Halicarnassus. During this time,The persian king Darius III gathered a formidable army.

In 333 B.C, Alexander the Great and his army encountered the massive Persian Army near the town of Issus. When it became obvious the the Persians would be defeated, Darius III and his armies fled the battle. His mother, who he had left behind, adopted Alexander as a son out of spite.

Alexander the Great had many other military accomplishments during his career. One of his most notable feats was the construction of a landbridge to conquer the island city of Tyre. In 331 B.C, Alexander the Great proclaimed himself the king of Persia.

Alexander the Great died in 323 B.C. in Babylon at the age of 32.

Did you like this example?

1337

56