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356 BCE
Birth of Alexander
Alexander the Great was born in Pella, Macedonia he is the son of King Philip II and Olympias. His first tutor Leonidas, taught Alexander math and military skills, such as horsemanship and archery. He trained Alexander to be physically tough -
343 BCE
Alexander's Tutor
Over the next three years, Aristotle teaches Alexander to appreciate philosophy,geography,Greek poetry, and scientific investigation. Alexander particularly loves Homer's liad, which inspires him to become a great warrior -
340 BCE
Alexander finishes studying
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 -
338 BCE
Alexander at the Battle of 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 -
336 BCE
Alexander Becomes King
However, one of his bodyguards assassinates him in the theater of Agae ,Alexander becomes king of Macedonia at the age of 20 -
335 BCE
Alexander Shows Power
This inspires the Greek city states of Thebes to rebel ,and Alexander quickly besieges the city and razes it up to the ground the inhabitants are executed and sold to slavery showing the other city states that Alexander is just as powerful as his father -
334 BCE
Alexander Trying to Conquer Persia
After subduing rebellious Greek city states, Alexander plans his campaign against the Persians,hoping to fulfill his fathers dream of conquering the empire.Though his advisers object and Macedonia is virtually bankrupt ,Alexander borrows money to supply his troops for one month -
334 BCE
Alexander leads Macedonian Army
After savage fighting the Persian's retreat and Alexander's army moves across the southern coast toward Gordium .As they travel they liberate a number of cities from Persian rule -
333 BCE
Alexander at Gordium
According to legend,he solves the puzzle of the Gordian knot which held together the yoke and pole of wagon once belonging to King Midas .Stories foretold that whoever solved the puzzle would rule all Asia and Alexander's success is seen as a good omen for the Asian campaign -
331 BCE
City of Alexandria
This is just one of many cities he names after himself during his conquests.Alexander and Darius meet at the Guagamela in a decisive battle Alexander's skills overwhelmed Darius who soon orders his men to flee and the Macedonians are victorious -
331 BCE
Alexander from one Persian city to the next
Conquering Babylon on October 18 and taking treasure to distribute among his men.He incorporates Persian officials administration to hold his empire together -
328 BCE
Alexanders Tensions and Warfare
Alexander becomes drunk.He and his close companion Cleitus,who saved his life at the battle of Granicus ,fall into an argument,Alexander accidentally stabs him with a spear and is filled with remorse at his death,this marks a turning point on Alexander the officers now fear him -
327 BCE
Alexander Gets Married
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,Alexanders Persian mistress -
326 BCE
Alexander Crosses the Hindu Kush into India
They defeat King Porus,leader of a kingdom east of the Hydaspes river,After several months in India Alexanders army refuses to go any further and is forced to return to Babylon,He spends the next few years trying to consolidate power in his empire. -
323 BCE
Death of Alexander The Great
Alexander falls ill with a sudden fever and dies at the age of 32 in June,After his death his empire falls into disorder