Alexander The Great

Birth of Alexander

356 BCE

Alexander is born in 356 B.C., at Pella in Macedonia, the son of the king Philip II and Olympias.

Process of education of Alexander

343 BCE

On 343 B.C., Philip hires the Greek philosopher Aristotle to tutor Alexander. Over the next three years, Aristotle teachers Alexander to appreciate philosophy, geography, Greek poetry, and scientific investigation.

Alexander finishes studying under Aristotle.

340 BCE

In 340 B.C., at the age 16, Alexander finishes studying under Aristotle and joins his father's army.

The Macedonia meet the Athenians and Thebans in battle at Chaeronea.

338 BCE

In 388 B.C., the Macedonia meet the Athenians and Thebans in battle at Chaeronea.

Philip celebrates his upcoming departure to attack Persian.

336 BCE

In October 336 B.C.E., Philip celebrates his upcoming departure to attack Persian, as well as the marriage of his daughter Cleopatra.
Alexander becomes king of Macedonia at the age of 20.

The Thracians and Illyrians rise up in rebellion.

335 BCE

In the Spring of 335 B.C., the Thracians and Illyruans rise un in rebellion. This inspires the Greek city-state of Thebes to rebel, and Alexander quickly besieges the city and razes it to the ground.

Alexander leads the Macedonian army

334 BCE

In June 334 B.C., Alexander leads the Macedonian army against the Persians at the Granicus river. After savage fighting, the Persians retreat, and Alexander's army moves across the southern coast of Asia toward Gordium.

Alexander spends the winter.

333 BCE

Alexander spends the winter of 333 BCE at Gordium, in present-day Turkey. According to legend, he solves the puzzle of the Gordian knot, which held together the yoke and pole of a wagon once belonging to King Midas. Stories foretold that whoever solved the puzzle would rule all Asia, and Alexander's success is seen as a good omen for his Asian campaign.
After conquering Syria, Alexander sweeps south and easily conquers Egypt after besieging Gaza.

Alexander creates the city of Alexandria.

331 BCE

In 331 BCE, he creates the city of Alexandria, which is meant to be a hub of Greek commerce and culture. This is justone of many cities he names after himself during his conquests. Alexander and Darius, king of the Persians, meet at Gaugamela in a decisive battle. Alexander's military skills overwhelm Darius, who orders his men to flee. Alexander moves from one major Persian city to the next, conquering Babylon on October 18, 331 BCE, and taking treasure to distribute among his men.

Alexander becomes drunk at a banquet in the fall

328 BCE

Suffering from the tensions of warfare and command, Alexander becomes drunk at a banquet in the fall of 328 B.C. He and his close companion Cleitus, who saved his life at the battle of Granicus, fall into an argument. Alexander accidentally stabs Cleitus with a spear, and is filled with remorse at Cleitus' death. However, this incident marks a turning point for Alexander, whose officers begin to fear him.

Alexander marries Roxane

327 BCE

In the Summer of 327 B.C., after conquering eastern Iran and capturing Prince Oxyartes, Alexander marries Roxane, the prince's daughter. This is meant to be a political alliance, and it serves as an insult to Barsine, Alexander's Persian mistress.

Alexander and his troops cross the Hindu Kush into northern India.

326 BCE

In May 326 B.C., hoping to add even more territory to his empire, Alexander and his troops cross the Hindu Kush into northern India. They defeat king Porus, leader of a Kingdom east of the Hydaspes River, after figuring out how to attack porus' war elephants.

Die of Alexander.

323 BCE

After several months in India, however, Alexander's army refuses to go any father, and he is forced to return to Babylon. He spends the next few years trying to consolidate power in his empire. Before he can set out on his new campaign, Alexander falls ill with a sudden fever and dies at the age of 32 in June 323 B.C. According to legend, he leaves his empire to "the strongest" of his commanders, but after his death, his empire falls into disorder.