Alexander The Great

Birth Of Alexander

356 BCE

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

Philip Hires The Greek Philosopher

343 BCE

Philip hires the Greek philosopher Aristotle to tutor Alexander. Over the next three years, Aristotle teaches Alexander to appreciate philosophy, geography, Greek poetry, and scientific investigation.

Alexander Finishes Studying

340 BCE

Alexander finishes studying under Aristotle and joins his father's army. By this point, Philip controls all the Greek city-states except Athens and Thebes. He aims to unite the Macedonians
and Greeks and invade the Persian Empire.

Macedonians Meet The Athenians And Thebans

338 BCE

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

Philip Celebrates His Upcoming

336 BCE

Philip celebrates his upcoming departure to attack Persia, as well as the marriage of his daughter Cleopatra. However, one of his bodyguards assassinates him in the theater of Agae. Alexander becomes king of Macedonia at the age of 20.

Alexander Leads The Macedonian Arm Against The Persians At The Granicus River

334 BCE

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 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

The City Of Alexandria

331 BCE

Is meant to be a hub of Greek commerce and culture. This is just one 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, and the Macedonians are victorious

Alexander Marries Roxane

327 BCE

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

Death Of Alexander

323 BCE

After several months in India, however, Alexander's army refuses to go any farther, 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