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Birth of Alexander
Alexander is born in 356 B.C., at Pella in Macedonia, the son of king Philip II and Olympias. -
Philip hires Aristotle to tutor Alexander(343 B.C.)
In 343 B.C., 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 joins his father's army(340 B.C.)
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. -
Alexander leads the attack against the Thebans (August 338 B.C.)
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. -
Philip is assassinated and Alexander becomes king.
n 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 subdues rebellion in Greek city-states (335 B.C)
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. -
Alexander departs for Asia(Spring 334 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. -
Alexander conquers Babylon(October 18, 331 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 marries Roxane(Summer 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. -
Alexander defeats King Porus in northern India(May 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 the Hydaspes River, after figuring out how to attack Porus' war elephants. -
Alexander accidentally kills one of his closest companions(Fall 328 BCE).
Suffering from the tensions of warfare and command, Alexander becomes drunk at a banquet in the fall of 328 BCE. He and his close companion Cleitus, who saved his life at the battle of Granicus, fall into an argument. Alexander accidentally stabs Cleitus with a spear, and is filled with remorse at Cleitus' death. However, this incident marks a turning point for Alexander, whose officers begin to fear him. -
Alexander dies(June 10, 323 BCE).
Before he can set out on his new campaign, Alexander falls ill with a sudden fever. According to legend, he leaves his empire to "the strongest" of his commanders, but after his death, his empire falls into disorder. His three commanders divide up the empire and compete for control.
