Alexander the Great

Alexander's Birth

356 BCE

Alexander was born on July 20, 356 B.C. in Pella, Central Macedonia, Greece to his father, Philip II, and Olympias, his mother. He was born on the sixth day of the Hekatombaion (Ἑκατομβαιών) which includes days in the months of July and August.

Alexander Starts Education

344 BCE

Above is a picture of Aristotle

Alexander's Tutelage

Period: 344 BCE to 341 BCE

Philip II hired Aristotle, an influential and important Greek philosopher and scientist, to tutor Alexander in the Temple of the Nymphs at Meiza, Ancient Rome (Roma). He was tutored for 3 years (from when he was 13 to when he was 16 years of age). This is said to be very important to the way that he ruled his empire.

The Taste of Military Service

338 BCE

Philip II and his army joined his son, and they marched south through Thermopylae, taking it from a stubborn resistance and its Theban garrison. This shows that he had gained a little military experience from his father. 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. This places all city-states except Sparta under Macedonian control.

The Beginning of His Reign

336 BCE

It was a year of depressing moments for Alexander, but he became king. Alexander began his reign after his father was murdered at Vergina, Greece at Alexander's sister's wedding. His sister, Cleopatra, was married to his uncle who bore the same name (Alexander I of Epirus). This is called an avunculate marriage.

The Balkan Campaign

335 BCE

The Balkan Campaign was a campaign that sought to restore control of the Balkans (Thrace, Illyria, Getae, and Thebes). Dealing with the number of rebellious vassals of the Macedonian kingdom in the Balkans gave way for an easier battle against the Persians.

Invasion of the Persian Empire

334 BCE

He invaded the Achaemenid Empire (Persian Empire) and began campaigns that lasted ten years. The Persian empire's army was much larger than his, but Alexander's strategies were far better.

Crossing into Asia Minor

334 BCE

Alexander's army crossed the Hellespont (the point where Asia Minor begins). He threw a spear into Asian soil, showing that he accepted Asia as a gift from the gods. This also showed Alexander's eagerness to fight, which is in contrast to his father's diplomacy. He wanted to conquer Persia.

Battle of Issus

333 BCE

This was the same year he cut the Gordian knot. After a pause due to illness, Alexander crossed the Taurus into Cicilia, and then towards Syria in the spring of 333 B.C. Alexander was outmaneuvered by Darius's army, but Darius would later flee from the battle, leaving his family, treasure, and his army.

Siege of Tyre

332 BCE

Alexander took over Syria and most of the Levant coast. In this year, Alexander was forced to attack Tyre, which he captured after a long and difficult siege. The men of military age were massacred and the women and children sold into slavery.

Capturing Egypt

332 BCE

When Alexander seized Tyre, he went on to pursue Egypt, and in the beginning, all the Egyptian towns along the way complied with no resistance Although, when he reached Gaza, Egypt, he was met with resistance. Due to their fortified stronghold being atop a hill, his soldier thought it impossible to conquer; however, after three unsuccessful attempts, they finally got in and conquered them: men killed and women and children sold into slavery. Alexander then continued to conquer the rest of Egypt.

Battle of Gaugamala

331 BCE

After leaving Egypt in 331 B.C., Alexander the Great would move east into Mesopotamia (now northern Iraq), where he would defeat Darius once again in the Battle of Gaugamala. This would be the last encounter between these two kings. Darius would flee into Ecbatana, now known as Hamadan, Iraq.

Roxana

327 BCE

In this year, Alexander married Roxana, the wife that will give him his heir, Alexander IV. Robin Lane Fox wrote, "Roxana was said by contemporaries to be the most beautiful lady in all Asia. She deserved her name of Roshanak, meaning 'little star', (probably rokhshana or roshna which means light and illuminating). Marriage to a local noble's family made sound political sense."

India

326 BCE

Seeking to reach the "ends of the world and the Great Outer Sea", Alexander invaded India but eventually (and disappointingly) turned back at the demand of his homesick and tired troops. Alexander and his troops cross the Hindu Kush into northern India. There, they defeat King Porus of a kingdom east of the Hydaspes River. After several months in India, however, Alexander's army refuses to go any farther, and he is forced to return to Babylon.

Alexander's Death

323 BCE

During the journey back to Macedon, he caught a sudden fever that would not go away in Babylon, the city he wanted to make his capital. He soon suffered a speech impairment and died. His kingdom then fell into disorder through a series of civil wars. His three commanders divided up the empire and competed for control.

This Death of His Wife and Heir

310 BCE

Alexander's wife Roxana and his son and heir Alexander IV were poisoned (assassinated) by Cassander, a contemporary of Alexander. He did this to secure his place as king of Macedon.