alexander the great

Alexander is born

356 BCE

Alexander is born at Pella in Macedonia, the son of King Philip II and Olympias. His first tutor, Leonidas, teaches Alexander math and military skills, such as archery and horsemanship. He trains Alexander to be physically tough.

Alexander joins his father's army

340 BCE

At age 16, 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.

Philip is assassinated and Alexander becomes king

336 BCE

In October 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 subdues rebellion in Greek city-states

335 BCE

After Philip's death, the Thracians and Illyrians rise up in rebellion. This inspires the Greek city-state of Thebes to rebel, and Alexander quickly besieges the city and razes it to the ground

The Macedonians and Persians meet on the battlefield

334 BCE

After crossing the Hellespont, 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, 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

Alexander conquers Egypt

332 BCE

After conquering Syria, Alexander sweeps south and easily conquers Egypt after besieging Gaza. In 331 BCE, he creates the city of Alexandria, which 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.

Philip hires Aristotle to tutor Alexander

243 BCE

in 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 leads the attack against the Thebans

228 BCE

In August 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.

Alexander departs for Asia

34 BCE

After subduing rebellious Greek city-states, Alexander plans his campaign against the Persians, hoping to fulfill his father's dream of conquering the empire. Though his advisers object and Macedonia is virtually bankrupt, Alexander borrows money to supply his troops for one month and departs for Asia in the spring

Alexander conquers Babylon

33 BCE

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 moves from one major Persian city to the next, conquering Babylon on October 18, 331 BCE, and taking treasure to distribute among his men