Alexander the Great

Birth of Alexander

356 BCE

Alexander born in Pella, Macedonia to King Philip II

King Philip hires the Greek philosopher

343 BCE

King Philip hires the Greek philosopher Aristotle to tutor Alexander.

Alexander finishes studying

340 BCE

At age 16, Alexander finishes studying under Aristotle and joins his father's army.

Alexander first taste of battle

338 BCE

Alexander leads the attack against the Thebans, while his father leads the attack against the Athenians. It is Alexander first taste of battle, and he and his father defeat the Greeks, placing all Greek city-states except Sparta under Macedonian control.

Alexander becomes king of Macedonia

336 BCE

Alexander becomes king of Macedonia at the age of 20.

Alexander besieges the city and razes it to the ground

335 BCE

Thracians and lIIyrians rise up in rebellion this inspires the Greek city-states of Thebes to rebel, and Alexander quickly besieges the city and razes it to the ground. The inhabitants are executed or sold into slavery, showing the other city-states that Alexander is just as powerful as his father. After subduing rebellious Greek city-states, Alexander plans his campaign against the Persians, hoping to fulfill his father dream of conquering the empire.

Alexander leads the Macedonian army

334 BCE

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. As they travel, they liberate a number of cities from Persian rule.

Alexander solves the puzzle of the Gordian knot

333 BCE

Alexander spends the winter of 333 BCE at Gordium, 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. Alexander success is seen as a good omen for his Asian campaign.

Alexander creates the city of Alexandria

331 BCE

He creates the city of Alexandria, which is meant to be a hub of Greek commerce and culture. 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 kills Cleitus

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.

Alexander marries Roxane

327 BCE

After conquering eastern Iran and capturing Prince Oxyartes, Alexander marries Roxane , the prince daughter.This is meant to be a political alliance, and it serves as an insult to Barsine, Alexander Persian mistress.

Death of Alexander

323 BCE

Dies in Babylon of a fever.

Alexander defeats King Porus

326

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 attrack Porus war elephants.