The Life of Alexander the Great

Alexander Becomes King of Macedonia

336 BCE

Alexander's father, King Philip II of Macedonia, is murdered. He conquered the Greeks, who were weakened by the Peloponnesian War. His goal was to conquer Persia. Alexander takes the throne with the same desires as his father. He was 20 years old.

Alexander Builds his Great Empire

Period: 336 BCE to 323 BCE

For 13 years, Alexander the Great traveled great distances in order to acquire more land to rule. As he did this, he spread Greek culture throughout. Each city that he named Alexandria was made to look like a regular Greek city, with the same type of architecture, and the inhabitants started to pick up on the new settlers' customs. Also, as he migrated, he did not force his culture upon the people of his new empire. Instead, he kept their own leaders in place, but told them to listen to him.

Alexander Wins the Battle of Granicus

334 BCE

Alexander crosses the Hellespont to Anatolia, his mind set on defeating King Darius III of Persia. Darius had thought Alexander did not pose a threat but was mistaken. His strategy was too much for the Persians, and the Macedonians became the victors of the Battle of Granicus.

Alexander and Darius' Second Fight- Battle of Issus

333 BCE

With his goal to conquer Persia still in mind, Alexander the Great battles with King Darius for the second time. Even though the Persians had larger numbers, the Macedonians' phalanx formation made them victorious once more. Darius fled, but Alexander captured his family.

Darius Attempts to Make Peace with Alexander

333 BCE

Darius wanted his wife and children back, so he tried to negotiate a peace treaty, offering half of his kingdom and land. However, a peace treaty was not on Alexander's agenda, and he kept fighting Darius, determined to conquer all of Persia.

The Battle of Gaugamela

331 BCE

In the final battle between Persia and the Macedonians, the Persians definitely seemed to have the advantage of a much larger army. But Alexander's phalanx formation and sarissas defeated Darius' numbers. Darius fled once again, and Alexander the Great was successful.

Alexander the Great Conquers Egypt

331 BCE

As Alexander set out to expand his empire, he landed in Egypt, where he was greeted with a warm welcome. There he was proclaimed the son of a god, thus earning the respect of the Egyptians. He founded the first of many cities that he would name Alexandria, after himself.

Alexander the Great Dies

323 BCE

Alexander and his soldiers reached all the way to India, but when they arrived, the army men decided to go back home. On the way, Alexander passed in Babylon. He could have been poisoned, but it is still unknown whether or not that is true. He was 32 years old.