Alexander the Great

Birth of Alexander

356 BCE

Born in Macedonia to King Philip II

King Philip trains Alexander

343 BCE

King Philip II hires the Greek philosopher Aristotle to tutor Alexander

Becoming a great warrior

340 BCE

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

The first taste of battle

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.

The new King rises

336 BCE

While King Philip celebrates the victory of the attack at Persia, one of his bodyguards assassinates him. Alexander becomes king of Macedonia at the age of 20

Rise up in rebellion

335 BCE

The Thracians and Illyrians 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

Borrowing money

334 BCE

Though his advisers object and Macedonia is virtually bankrupt, Alexander borrows money to supply his troops for one month and departs for Asia

Leading an 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.

Winter is coming

333 BCE

Alexander spends the winter 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 first Alexandria

331 BCE

Alexander creates the city of Alexandria, which is meant to be a hub of Greek commerce and culture. This is just on of many cities he names after himself during his conquests.

Conquering more cities

331 BCE

Alexander moves from one major Persian city to the next, conquering Babylon and taking treasures to distribute among his men

Fear begins

328 BCE

Suffering from the tensions of warfare and command, Alexander becomes drunk at a banquet in. He and his close companion Cleitus fall into an argument. Alexander accidentally stabs Cleitus and is filled with remorse at his dead. But this incident marks a turning point to Alexander, whose officers begin to fear him.

Marriage

327 BCE

After the 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

Adding territory

326 BCE

Hoping to add even more territory to his empire, Alexander and his troops cross the Hindu Kush into northern India. They defeat king Porus, leader of a kingdom east of Hydaspes River.

Death comes for us all

323 BCE

Alexander's army refuses to go any farther, and is forced to return to Babylon. Before he can set out his new campaign Alexander falls ill with a sudden fever and dies at the age of 32. According to legend, he leaves his empire to "the strongest" of hos commanders, but after his death his empire falls into disorder.