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356 BCE
Birth
Alexander the Great was born on the ancient Greek month of Hekatombaion, which probably corresponds to July 20 356 BC. Although the exact date of his birth is debated. -
346 BCE
Childhood
When he was thirteen, Philip II, his father, chose Aristotle, a philosopher. When Aristotle agreed to teach Alexander, Philip had to rebuild Stageira, which Philip had destroyed. Aristotle taught Alexander in areas of the arts, medicine, logic, morals, philosophy, and other objects. Alexander was given an annotated copy of the Illiad, and took it with him on his campaigns. -
336 BCE
Rise to Power
In the summer of 336 BC, Philip was assassinated by Pausanias. Alexander was proclaimed the new king of Macedonia by both the nobles and the army by the age of 20. -
336 BCE
Confirming his power over Macedonia
Alexander eliminated potential rivals to the throne. Amyntas IV, Lyncestis, and another Macedonian prince. He also burned other relatives and Cleopatra's uncle, Attalus. When Philip died, many states which included Thebes, Athens, Thessaly, and Thracian tribes. Alexander responded to the revolts, and ended them quickly. -
334 BCE
Going into the Persian Empire and beyond
Alexander amassed an army of great strength, consisting of cavalry and heavy infantry, and marched towards Thebes, who couldn't set up an adequate defense. Alexander massacred Thebes, and this destruction led to other Greek city-states, Athens included, chose to be under the Macedonian Empire. -
334 BCE
Asian Campaign
One of Alexander's lasting enemies was the Persian Army. Alexander and his army faced them three times, with the first battle taking place near the Grancius River, and swiftly defeated Darius III's forces. Alexander made it across south of the Asia Minor and battled Darius once more at Issus, and Alexander used clever strategies to defeat the Persians. After capturing Darius, Alexander declared himself the King of Persia. Alexander finally defeated the Persian at the Battle of Gaugamela -
331 BCE
Continued Conquest
Alexander conquers Egypt, and creates the city of Alexandria, and it ends up as one of the many other cities he names Alexandria. In 331 BC, he conquered Babylon and puts Persian systems to hold together the empire. In 327 BCE, after taking over eastern Iran, he marries Roxana after capturing Prince Oxyartes. -
326 BCE
Last Territories
Alexander wanted more territory for the empire, and went into northern India, defeating King Porus. By that time, Alexander's troops were homesick and demanded to head home, and eventually headed back to Babylon. Alexander spends more time in making his power concrete over the empire. But... Alexander died before he could move on expanding his empire. After his death, three commanders fought for power, and the empire broke apart into three Hellenistic kingdoms. -
323 BCE
Aftermath of Alexander's death
As soon as Alexander died and his empire divided, and the whole empire was among four generals, who were Lysimachus, Cassander, Ptolemy, and Seleucus. -
Period: 323 BCE to
A Great Legacy
Alexander of Macedon is now known more commonly as Alexander the Great. The reason being is that by the extent of his conquests, and the many systems of Greek culture, in addition of allowing those he conquered to keep their customs and tradition. This earned him the title. Moreover, his legacy as an undefeated military commander stands unrivaled in the ancient world, and his tactics still remain relevant in discussions revolving around ancient military tactics. -
One more thing...
Although Alexander had become one of the greatest conquerors of all time, he still has his barbaric side... ;)
