alexander great july june commonly known alexander great greek king ancient greek kingdom member dynasty born alexander succeeded father throne age spent ruling years unprecedented military campaign asia northeast africa age thirty created largest ancient world stretching greece northwestern india undefeated battle widely considered history successful military commanders youth alexander philosopher aristotle age philip assassination alexander succeeded father throne inherited strong kingdom experienced army alexander awarded greece authority launch father project lead greeks conquest persia invaded ruled began series campaigns lasted years alexander broke power persia series decisive battles notably battles subsequently persian king iii conquered entirety point empire stretched adriatic_sea seeking reach ends world great outer sea invaded india eventually forced turn demand troops alexander died city planned establish capital executing series planned campaigns begun invasion years following death series civil wars tore empire apart resulting states ruled alexander surviving generals heirs alexander legacy includes cultural conquests founded cities bore notably alexandria egypt alexander settlement greek colonists resulting spread greek culture east resulted new civilization aspects evident traditions byzantine_empire century presence greek speakers central far eastern 1920s alexander legendary classical hero mold features prominently history traditions greek non greek cultures measure military leaders compared military world teach tactics ranked influential people human history teacher aristotle early life lineage childhood alexander born sixth day ancient greek month probably corresponds july exact date known capital son king fourth wife daughter king philip seven wives principal wife time likely result giving birth alexander legends surround alexander birth childhood according ancient greek biographer eve marriage philip dreamed struck thunder bolt causing flame spread far wide dying away time wedding philip said seen dream securing wife seal engraved lion image offered variety interpretations dreams pregnant marriage indicated sealing alexander father ancient commentators divided ambitious story alexander divine variously claiming told alexander dismissed suggestion day alexander born philip preparing siege city peninsula day philip received news general defeated combined armies horses won olympic games said day temple world burnt led burnt away attending birth alexander legends emerged alexander king possibly destined greatness conception early years alexander raised nurse sister alexander future general black later childhood alexander strict relative mother alexander raised manner noble youths learning read play ride fight hunt alexander years old trader brought philip horse offered sell thirteen talents horse refused mounted philip ordered away alexander detecting horse fear shadow asked horse eventually managed stated philip display courage ambition kissed son declaring boy find kingdom big ambitions small bought horse alexander named meaning head carried alexander far india animal died old age according age thirty alexander named city education alexander philip began search tutor considered academics offering resign post end philip chose aristotle provided temple classroom return teaching alexander philip agreed rebuild aristotle hometown philip razed buying freeing citizens slaves exile like boarding school alexander children nobles students friends future generals known companions aristotle taught alexander companions medicine philosophy morals religion logic art aristotle alexander developed passion works homer particular aristotle gave copy alexander later carried campaigns philip heir regency ascent age alexander education aristotle ended philip waged war leaving alexander charge regent heir apparent philip absence revolted macedonia alexander responded quickly driving territory greeks founded city named philip return dispatched alexander small force subdue revolts southern campaigning greek city alexander reported saved father life city began work lands sacred apollo near gave philip opportunity intervene greek affairs occupied ordered alexander muster army campaign greece concerned greek states intervene alexander look preparing attack instead turmoil invaded macedonia repelled alexander philip army joined son marched south taking resistance garrison went occupy city days march athens led voted seek alliance macedonia athens philip sent win favor athens won contest philip marched ostensibly acting request capturing mercenaries sent accepting city surrender philip returned sending final offer peace athens rejected philip marched south opponents blocked near ensuing philip commanded right wing alexander left accompanied group philip trusted generals according ancient sources sides fought time philip deliberately commanded troops retreat counting follow breaking line alexander break lines followed philip generals having damaged enemy philip ordered troops press forward quickly routed lost surrounded left fight defeated victory philip alexander marched unopposed welcomed cities reached refused resort war philip established alliance modeled old anti persian alliance persian wars included states philip named translated supreme commander league known modern scholars league announced plans attack exile return philip returned fell love married niece general marriage alexander position heir secure son fully heir alexander half wedding banquet drunken publicly prayed gods union produce legitimate heir wedding philip fell love married young uncle drink desired gods successor kingdom niece irritated alexander throwing cups head villain said philip taking rose run son good fortune hasty rage wine drunk foot slip fell floor alexander insulted said man makes preparations pass europe asia overturned passing seat alexander fled mother dropping brother king alexander capital continued sought refuge king treated guest despite having defeated battle years appears philip intended politically militarily trained son accordingly alexander returned months efforts family friend parties following year persian governor offered eldest daughter alexander half brother alexander friends suggested showed philip intended heir alexander reacted sending actor tell offer daughter hand illegitimate son instead alexander philip heard stopped negotiations alexander wishing marry daughter explaining wanted better bride philip exiled alexander friends bring chains king accession summer attending wedding daughter brother philip assassinated captain tried escape vine killed including alexander companions alexander proclaimed king nobles army age consolidation power alexander began reign eliminating potential rivals throne cousin executed princes region killed spared daughter philip burned alive alexander learned furious alexander ordered murder command advance guard army asia minor uncle time corresponding possibility athens severely insulted alexander following murder alexander considered dangerous leave alive alexander spared accounts mentally disabled possibly result poisoning news philip death states revolt including athens tribes north news revolts reached alexander responded quickly advised use diplomacy alexander mustered cavalry rode south found army occupying pass mount ordered men ride day found alexander rear promptly surrendered adding cavalry alexander force continued south alexander stopped recognized leader heading south athens sued peace alexander pardoned rebels famous encounter alexander occurred alexander stay alexander asked philosopher asked alexander stand little blocking sunlight reply apparently delighted alexander reported said alexander like alexander took title leader like philip appointed commander coming war persia received news uprising balkan campaign crossing asia alexander wanted safeguard northern borders spring advanced suppress revolts starting traveled east country independent army attacked defeated forces manning heights marched country defeated army near river tributary danube alexander marched days danube encountering tribe opposite shore crossing river night surprised forced army retreat cavalry skirmish news reached alexander king open revolt authority marching west alexander defeated turn forcing rulers flee troops victories secured northern frontier alexander campaigned north rebelled alexander immediately headed south cities decided fight resistance ineffective alexander razed city divided territory cities end athens leaving greece temporarily peace alexander set asian campaign leaving regent conquest asia minor alexander army crossed approximately soldiers cavalry fleet ships crews numbering drawn mercenaries raised soldiers source said alexander crossed horse foot quoted totals listed horse foot referred advance force present asia war said numbered men showed intent conquer entirety throwing spear asian soil saying accepted asia gift gods showed alexander fight contrast father preference diplomacy initial victory persian forces battle alexander accepted surrender persian provincial capital treasury proceeded coast granting autonomy democracy cities held forces required delicate siege operation persian naval forces nearby south alexander successfully waged large scale siege eventually forcing opponents mercenary captain persian withdraw sea alexander left government member dynasty adopted alexander alexander proceeded mountainous plain asserting control coastal cities deny naval bases onwards coast held major ports alexander moved inland alexander storm city ancient capital alexander hitherto feat said await future king asia according story alexander proclaimed matter knot apart sword levant syria spring alexander crossed long pause illness marched syria significantly larger army marched defeated fled battle causing army collapse left wife daughters mother fabulous treasure offered peace treaty included lands lost ransom talents family alexander replied king asia decided territorial divisions alexander proceeded possession syria coast levant following year forced attack tyre captured long difficult siege alexander men military age sold women children slavery egypt alexander destroyed tyre towns route egypt quickly later tradition recorded entry jerusalem according alexander shown prophecy presumably chapter described mighty greek king conquer spared jerusalem pushed south egypt alexander met resistance stronghold heavily fortified built hill requiring siege engineers pointed height mound impossible encouraged alexander attempt unsuccessful assaults stronghold fell alexander received shoulder wound tyre men military age sword women children sold slavery alexander advanced egypt later regarded pronounced son deity oasis desert henceforth alexander referred true father death currency depicted adorned horn symbol stay egypt founded alexandria egypt prosperous capital death alexander marched eastward northern iraq defeated battle fled field alexander chased far final decisive encounter fled mountains modern alexander captured persia alexander went capitals captured treasury sent bulk army persian ceremonial capital persian royal road alexander took selected troops direct route city stormed pass modern blocked persian army garrison treasury entering alexander allowed troops city days alexander stayed months stay fire broke eastern palace spread rest city possible causes include drunken accident deliberate revenge burning athens second persian war later city burnt alexander regret burning recounts alexander talks fallen statue great live person shall pass leave lying expeditions led greece shall set virtues respects fall empire east alexander chased media persian king longer controlled destiny taken prisoner alexander approached men fatally stab great king declared successor retreating launch guerrilla campaign alexander alexander buried remains predecessors funeral claimed dying named successor throne normally considered fallen alexander viewed set defeat campaign initially turned grand tour central asia alexander founded series new cities called alexandria including modern afghanistan modern campaign took alexander media aria west afghanistan south central afghanistan north central afghanistan held position betrayed alexander trusted companions executed point later alexander dealing horse army raised revolt alexander personally defeated battle immediately launched campaign defeating defeat killed men sued peace problems plots time alexander adopted elements persian dress customs court notably custom symbolic kissing hand ground showed social superiors greeks regarded gesture province deities believed alexander meant requiring cost sympathies eventually abandoned plot life revealed officers executed failing alert alexander death son necessitated death father charged guarding treasury assassinated alexander command prevent attempts vengeance alexander personally killed man saved life violent drunken altercation modern day accused alexander mistakes especially having forgotten ways favour corrupt oriental lifestyle later central asian campaign second plot life revealed instigated royal pages official historian implicated plot historians reach consensus involvement fallen favor leading opposition attempt introduce alexander absence alexander set asia left general experienced military political leader old guard charge alexander ensured greece remained quiet absence exception arms king iii defeated killed battle referred punishment league deferred alexander chose pardon considerable friction complained alexander general greece enjoyed period peace prosperity alexander campaign asia alexander sent vast sums conquest stimulated economy increased trade empire alexander constant demands troops migration empire depleted manpower greatly weakening years alexander ultimately led rome indian campaign indian death marriage old iranian cement relations new alexander turned indian invited region presently eastern afghanistan northern pakistan come submit authority indian ruler kingdom extended complied hill clans including sections known indian texts refused submit relieve alexander met valuable presents placing forces disposal alexander returned title gifts presented wardrobe persian robes gold silver ornaments horses talents gold alexander divide forces assisted constructing bridge bends fox supplied troops provisions received alexander army capital city demonstration friendship liberal subsequent advance king accompanied force men took battle victory sent alexander pursuit charged offer favourable terms narrowly escaped losing life hands old enemy subsequently rivals reconciled personal alexander having contributed equipment fleet entrusted king government territory river considerable accession power granted death philip son allowed retain authority death alexander subsequent partition provinces winter alexander personally led campaign clans valleys valley valleys fierce contest ensued alexander wounded shoulder eventually lost alexander faced fought strongholds fort reduced days bloody fighting alexander wounded seriously ankle according alexander slaughter entire population reduce buildings rubble similar slaughter followed aftermath numerous fled fortress alexander followed close captured strategic hill fort bloody days alexander crossed fought won epic battle king ruled region lying alexander impressed bravery ally appointed added territory land previously south east choosing local helped control lands distant greece alexander founded cities opposite sides river naming honor horse died time thought located site modern day revolt army east kingdom near east modern day region indian fearing prospect facing large armies exhausted years campaigning alexander army refusing march farther east river marks easternmost extent alexander conquests struggle courage stayed advance india having enemy mustered thousand infantry thousand horse violently opposed alexander insisted crossing river width learned thirty depth banks covered men arms horsemen elephants told kings awaiting eighty thousand horsemen thousand thousand thousand war elephants alexander tried persuade soldiers march farther general pleaded change opinion return men said parents wives children homeland alexander eventually agreed turned south marching way army conquered modern day indian tribes sustained injury siege alexander sent army modern southern iran general commissioned fleet explore shore admiral led rest persia difficult southern route alexander reached losing men harsh desert years persia discovering military governors absence alexander executed examples way gesture thanks paid debts soldiers announced send aged disabled veterans led troops misunderstood intention town refused sent away criticized adoption persian customs dress introduction persian officers soldiers units days unable persuade men alexander gave command posts army conferred military titles persian units quickly forgiveness alexander accepted held great banquet thousand men ate attempt craft lasting harmony persian subjects alexander held mass marriage senior officers persian marriages lasted year return persia alexander learned guards tomb cyrus great swiftly executed alexander admired cyrus early age reading described cyrus heroism battle governance king legislator visit alexander ordered architect interior chamber cyrus tomb alexander traveled retrieve bulk persian treasure closest friend possible lover died illness poisoning death devastated alexander ordered preparation expensive funeral decree public mourning alexander planned series new campaigns beginning invasion chance realize died shortly death succession june alexander died palace age different versions alexander death details death differ slightly account roughly days death alexander entertained admiral spent night day drinking developed fever worsened unable speak common soldiers anxious health granted right file past second account recounts alexander struck pain downing large bowl wine honour followed days weakness develop fever died mentioned alternative specifically denied claim given aristocracy assassination foul play featured multiple accounts death mentioned theory alexander poisoned stated alexander victim poisoning conspiracy dismissed noted mentioned sake accounts fairly consistent designating recently removed odds head alleged plot taking summons death sentence having seen fate arranged alexander poisoned son alexander wine suggestion aristotle participated strongest argument poison theory fact days passed start illness death long acting probably available bbc documentary investigating death alexander proposed plant white album known antiquity poison alexander manuscript journal suggested alexander wine album produce poisoning symptoms match course events described album poisoning prolonged course suggested alexander poisoned album offers plausible cause poisoning explanation forward proposed circumstances death compatible poisoning water river modern day greece contained dangerous compound produced bacteria natural causes diseases suggested including malaria fever article attributed death fever complicated ascending recent analysis suggested infectious illnesses fit symptoms including acute virus natural cause theories tend emphasise alexander health general decline years heavy drinking severe wounds alexander felt death contributed declining health death alexander body laid gold filled honey turn placed gold according called land alexander laid rest happy forever likely successors seen possession body symbol legitimacy burying prior king royal alexander funeral way seized took temporarily memphis successor transferred alexandria remained late antiquity final successors replaced alexander glass convert original recent discovery enormous tomb northern greece dating time given rise speculation original intent burial place alexander fit intended destination alexander funeral visited tomb alexandria allegedly accidentally knocked nose said taken alexander tomb use emperor closed alexander tomb public son successor great admirer visited tomb reign details fate tomb called alexander discovered near named thought contained alexander remains depict alexander companions fighting hunting originally thought died king appointed alexander immediately following battle recently suggested date earlier death division empire alexander death sudden reports death reached greece immediately believed alexander obvious legitimate heir son born alexander death according alexander companions asked deathbed bequeathed kingdom reply strongest claimed alexander point implying story offered plausible story alexander passed ring bodyguard leader companion cavalry witnesses initially claim power instead suggesting baby king male guardians infantry command rejected arrangement excluded discussion instead supported alexander half brother eventually sides reconciled birth appointed joint kings albeit rivalry soon afflicted handed power bases general bid power assassination unity collapsed years war successors ensued world settled stable power blocks egypt process murdered testament stated alexander given detailed written instructions time death started carry alexander commands successors chose implement grounds impractical extravagant read alexander troops testament called military expansion southern western mediterranean monumental constructions eastern western populations included construction monumental tomb father philip match greatest egypt erection great temples monumental temple conquest entire africa development cities populations asia europe opposite direction europe asia order bring largest continent common unity friendship means family ties character alexander earned epithet great success military commander lost battle despite typically outnumbered use terrain cavalry tactics bold strategy fierce loyalty troops armed spear metres long developed perfected rigorous training alexander speed great effect larger disparate persian forces alexander recognized potential diverse army employed languages weapons overcame personally involved battle manner king battle asia alexander small forces infantry cavalry larger persian force alexander placed center cavalry wings line matched length persian cavalry line contrast persian infantry stationed cavalry ensured alexander armed long considerable advantage persian losses compared confrontation deployment central pushed alexander personally led charge center routing opposing army decisive encounter equipped wheels break equipped cavalry alexander arranged double center advancing angle parting bore reforming advance successful broke center causing flee faced opponents unfamiliar fighting techniques india alexander adapted forces opponents style alexander successfully throwers prevent movements cavalry center india confronted elephant corps opened ranks elephants strike upwards elephants physical appearance greek biographer describes alexander appearance outward appearance alexander best represented statues artist alexander thought fit modelled successors friends tried imitate neck bent slightly left melting eyes artist accurately observed painting thunder bolt reproduce dark fair colour passed breast particularly face pleasant skin mouth flesh filled read memoirs greek historian described alexander strong handsome commander eye dark night blue sky semi legendary suggests alexander suffered eye dark light british historian provided description alexander appearance based review statues ancient documents physically alexander standards short tough beard stood barons going clean neck way twisted appeared upward angle eyes blue brown revealed feminine quality high harsh voice ancient authors recorded alexander pleased portraits created forbade crafting image scheme portray alexander characters sculpture famous opposed static pose thought faithful depiction personality alexander strongest personality traits formed response parents mother huge ambitions encouraged believe destiny conquer influence sense destiny tells ambition kept spirit advance years father philip alexander immediate influential role model young alexander watched campaign practically year winning victory victory ignoring severe wounds alexander relationship father forged competitive personality need father illustrated reckless behavior battle alexander worried father leave great brilliant achievement displayed world father achievements companions according alexander traits violent temper nature undoubtedly contributed decisions alexander respond orders father open reasoned debate logical calculating great desire knowledge love philosophy avid reader doubt aristotle alexander intelligent quick learn intelligent rational demonstrated ability success general great self restraint pleasures body contrast lack self control alcohol alexander arts sciences little interest sports olympic games unlike father seeking ideals honor glory great charisma force personality characteristics great leader unique abilities demonstrated inability generals unite macedonia retain empire death alexander ability final years especially death alexander began exhibit signs paranoia extraordinary achievements coupled sense destiny companions combined produce effect readily visible testament desire conquer world sources described having ambition epithet meaning descended historical cliché appears believed deity sought insisted son theory apparently confirmed began identify son alexander adopted elements persian dress customs court notably practice disapproved perform behavior cost sympathies alexander pragmatic ruler understood difficulties ruling culturally disparate peoples lived kingdoms king divine behavior simply practical attempt strengthening rule keeping empire personal relationships alexander married times daughter nobleman love persian daughter iii daughter iii political reasons apparently sons possibly mistress lost child alexander close relationship friend general bodyguard son noble death devastated alexander event contributed alexander failing health detached mental state final months alexander sexuality subject speculation controversy ancient sources stated alexander homosexual relationships alexander relationship sexual writes alexander visit alexander tomb beloved alexander way noting word ancient greek beloved necessarily bear sexual meaning alexander bisexual time controversial green argues little evidence ancient sources alexander interest women produce heir end life relatively young died suggests alexander record impressive father age apart wives alexander female companions alexander accumulated style persian kings showing great self control pleasures body described alexander complimenting forcing green suggested context period alexander formed strong friendships women including adopted mother supposedly died grief hearing alexander death legacy alexander legacy extended military conquests campaigns greatly increased contacts trade east west vast areas east significantly exposed greek civilization influence cities founded major cultural centers surviving 21st century recorded valuable information areas marched greeks got sense belonging world mediterranean kingdoms alexander immediate legacy introduction rule huge new asia time death alexander empire covered km2 largest state time areas remained hands greek influence years successor states emerged initially dominant forces years referred period eastern borders alexander empire began collapse lifetime power vacuum left northwest indian directly gave rise powerful indian history taking advantage power vacuum referred greek sources relatively humble origin took control power base proceeded conquer empire founding cities course conquests alexander founded cities bore east greatest alexandria egypt leading mediterranean cities cities locations reflected trade routes defensive positions cities little defensive garrisons following alexander death greeks settled tried return greece century alexander death thriving elaborate public buildings substantial populations included greek local peoples coined german historian denote spread greek language culture population persian empire alexander conquest export took place seen great cities instance alexandria south modern baghdad alexander sought insert greek elements persian culture attempted greek persian culture culminated populations asia europe successors explicitly rejected policies occurred region accompanied distinct opposite successor states core culture conquests essentially close association men greece alexander army directly led emergence largely attic based common greek dialect spread world lands eventually ancestor modern greek furthermore town planning education local government art current period based ideals evolving distinct new forms commonly grouped aspects culture evident traditions byzantine_empire century pronounced effects seen afghanistan india region relatively late rising modern afghanistan pakistan greek kingdom modern afghanistan india newly formed silk road greek culture apparently indian especially buddhist culture resulting known heavily influenced development buddhism created culture art buddhist kingdoms sent buddhist missionaries china sri_lanka mediterranean buddhist influential portrayals appeared time modeled greek statues apollo buddhist style buddhist traditions influenced ancient greek religion concept reminiscent greek divine heroes ceremonial practices burning gifts flowers food placed similar practiced ancient greeks similar practices observed native culture greek king probably buddhist buddhist literature process spurred trade east west example greek astronomical instruments dating 3rd century found city modern day afghanistan greek concept spherical earth surrounded spheres planets eventually supplanted long standing indian belief disc consisting continents grouped central mountain mount like flower lit greek astronomical treatise texts depict influence greek astronomical ideas indian astronomy influence rome alexander exploits admired romans especially generals wanted associate achievements began histories reminding romans alexander achievements roman leaders saw role model great adopted epithet alexander type searched conquered lands east alexander year old wore sign greatness dedicated equestrian bronze statue replaced alexander head visited alexander tomb alexandria temporarily changed seal alexander profile emperor admired alexander roman family person briefly ascended imperial throne kept images alexander persons jewelry clothes hand roman writers particularly republican figures alexander tale tendencies kept check republican values alexander writers example ruler values friendship anger desire glory legend legendary accounts surround life lifetime probably encouraged alexander court historian portrayed sea drawing writing shortly alexander death participant invented alexander queen mythical read passage patron alexander general later reportedly wonder time centuries alexander death probably alexandria quantity legendary material text known later falsely ascribed known text underwent numerous expansions revisions antiquity middle ages containing dubious stories translated numerous languages ancient modern culture alexander great accomplishments legacy depicted cultures alexander figured high popular culture beginning era present day particular significant impact portrayals alexander later cultures persian medieval european modern greek alexander features prominently modern greek folklore ancient figure form modern greek household ancient hero appear shadow play known greek seamen involves solitary grasp ship storm ask captain king alexander alive correct answer alive rules world causing sea calm answer cause turn raging drag ship sea hands aboard pre islamic middle persian literature alexander referred epithet meaning accused destroying temples burning sacred texts islamic iran influence persian positive portrayal alexander emerges book kings includes alexander line legitimate iranian mythical figure explored far reaches world search later persian writers associate philosophy portraying figures aristotle search version portrays ideal christian world prayed true god egypt alexander portrayed son persian conquest defeat depicted egypt salvation proving egypt ruled egyptian figure literally mentioned believed scholars represent alexander parallels alexander romance tradition heroic figure built wall defend nations traveled known world search eventually prophet hindi derived persian denotes rising young talent medieval europe member group heroes ideal qualities historiography apart inscriptions fragments texts written people actually knew alexander gathered information men served alexander lost contemporaries wrote accounts life included alexander campaign historian alexander generals junior officer campaigns alexander chief works lost later works based original sources survived earliest 1st century followed mid late 1st century 1st 2nd century biographer 1st 2nd century finally work dated late 4th century generally considered reliable given sources closely followed ancestry
Alexander the Great