Alexander the Great

356 BCE

356 BCE

Alexander is born to King Philip of Macedon and Olympias. Olympias spreads the rumor that Zues is actually the real father of Alexander.

344 BCE

344 BCE

Alexander tames the wild horse named Bucephalas. Rumors spread of Alexander's bravery and skill. Aristotle tutors Alexander. He discovers his hero, Achilles, from Greek Myths.

338 BCE

338 BCE

King Philip begins to plan a war against the Persian Empire. Alexander gains interest in his father's plans to attack Persia. He wants to fight but will have to stay home with his mother.

336 BCE

336 BCE

King Philip is assassinated at a family wedding. Some historians speculate that Alexander may have had a part in his father's murder. Alexander takes over as the king of Macedonia.

334 BCE

334 BCE

Alexander leads the army into Asia to invade the Persian Empire. Alexander stops by the supposed tomb of the mythical hero Achilles to pay tribute to his hero.

333 BCE

333 BCE

Alexander's army invades and conquers many cities. He proves to his army that he is brace and does not ask them to do things that he is not willing to do. News travels of Alexander's powerful army.

332 BCE

332 BCE

Alexander defeats the city of Tyre after a tough fight. He punishes the city for not surrendering by crucifying 2,000 men. The governor of Gaza is dragged through the streets by a horse until he dies. This is also a punishment for not surrendering to Alexander's army.

331 BCE

331 BCE

Alexander arrives in Egypt. He is welcomed by Egyptians and participates in Egyptian religious ceremonies such as making a sacrifice to their sacred bull. Alexander becomes Pharaoh of Egypt. Egyptians view their Pharaoh as a god. The city of Alexandria is founded in Egypt. Alexander's army gets lost in the desert looking for an Oracle. Alexander wants to ask the Oracle if he is really part god.

330 BCE

330 BCE

Alexander's army defeats the Persians even though they are outnumbered. The Persian king is killed by his own officer. Alexander's men destroy the beautiful city of Persepolis and burn down the palace.

329 - 328 BCE

329 BCE

Alexander's army continues to conquer Asia. They spread Greek religion, politics, and philosophy across Asia. Alexander sends back treasures and money to Greece. Alexander tries to blend cultures. He even dresses like the people in the places he conquers.

327 BCE

327 BCE

Alexander's Army invades India. The Indian army includes large elephants that can kill soldiers by stepping on them. Alexander devises a plan where his men throw their spears at the elephants. The elephants become confused and kill the Indians. Indians surrender to Alexander. Some of Alexander's men are accused of conspiring against him. Alexander has them killed.

326 - 325 BCE

326 BCE

Alexander's men begin to get tired and are ready to go home. They begin a long journey back to Macedonia. Alexander makes them travel through the desert. Many men die from exposure to the sun. Some say that Alexander chose this desert route to punish his men for wanting to return to Macedonia.

324 BCE

324 BCE

Alexander forces his men to marry Persian women as a way of making sure there is a blending of the cultures.

323 BCE

323 BCE

Alexander dies after a short illness. He was only 32 years old and was the king for twelve and a half years.

321 BCE

321 BCE

Because Alexander did not have any children, there was no heir to rule his empire. Some of the generals in his army divided the empire. These new territories became weak and were easily conquered in the years that followed.