Timeline of Alexander the Great

Introduction

357 BCE

The purpose of this timeline is gain a sense of Alexander the Great's rise to a well-respected general and conqueror, to his sudden downfall.

Alexander is born

356 BCE

Alexander is born in the year of 356 BC, to Macedonian king Phillip II and Olympias. The destiny to stardom is immediately apparent; on the same day of his birth, the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven wonders of the world, burns down, and his father's horse wins at the Olympic Games. picture: https://www.pngkey.com/detail/u2q8i1e6t4u2y3o0_bust-of-a-young-alexander-the-great-from/

Alexander's horse, Bucephalas

346 BCE

When Alexander was 10, a trader offered Phillip II a horse for 13 talents, but the horse refused to mount and Phillip ordered it back. Alexander comes in and notices the horse's apprehension, and tames the horse. This horse was named Bucephalus, meaning "ox-head," and traveled with Alexander everywhere. He later named the city of Bucephula after him. pic: https://www.numiscorner.com/blogs/news/myths-legends-alexander-the-great-bucephalus

Temporary Exile

336 BCE

After Phillip married Eurydice is 338 BC, Alexander's hold on the heir becomes unstable as the children of them would be full Macedonian, and he is only half Macedonian. In 337, Alexander and his mother fled to Illyria, dropping his mother off at Dondona with her brother King Alexander I of Epirus. He returns in 336 BC, 6 months later, after mediation efforts by Demaratus.

Rise to King

336 BCE

After Phillip II's assassination by his bodyguards, Alexander is declared king of Macedonia at age 20.

Alexander visits Diogenes

336 BCE

The famed philosphoical encounter between Alexander and Diogenes of Sinope, a Greek philosopher. Diogenes's reply of "stand a little of out my sun" and Alexander's admiration are widely printed and become transcribed in literature and art. picture: https://kosmossociety.chs.harvard.edu/?p=20099

Conquering the Balkans

335 BCE

Alexander conquers Thrace, Illyria, and Thebes after hearing warnings of uprising after his father's assassination. He led 3,000 of his men after ignoring diplomacy efforts. This led to Alexander's campaign for the Persian empire, after satisfying his father's wish to conquer the Balkans.

Siege of Halicarnassus

334 BCE

This battle is the closest Alexander the Great came to defeat, after retreating and suffering heavy casualties, his army broke through the city walls leading to Memnon of Rhodes to set fire to the city. It also displayed the strengths of Alexander, as he faced off with the Persian Navy and he did not have one.

Capturing the Levant

333 BCE

After capturing Sardis and Miletus, Alexander defeats Darius at Issus , who leaves behind his wife and children after fleeing. A peace treaty is offered by Darius, but Alexander rejects, stating he is the king of Asia and takes Syria and the Levant. picture: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_the_Great#/media/File:Alejandro_Magno_campaign_2_battles_of_Alexander_The_Great.jpg

Siege of Tyre

332 BCE

Alexander and his army blockade and besiege the island of Tyre for 7 months after conventional methods don't work. Alexander's army builds a causeway, leading to the destruction of half of the city. Alexander was so enraged with the defense of the city that they slaughtered 8,000 civilians and sold 30,000 residents, mostly women and kids, into slavery. picture: http://joseph_berrigan.tripod.com/ancientbabylon/id34.html

Siege of Gaza

332 BCE

Alexander the Great besieges Gaza, Egypt for 3 unsuccessful attempts before breaking through. As in Tyre, he slaughters the male civilians and sells the women and children into slavery. picture: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Gaza#/media/File:Gaza_painting_-_David_Roberts.jpg

Battle of Gaugamela

331 BCE

The decisive victory to capture the Persian Empire. Although heavily outnumbered, Alexander swiftly defeats Darius III's army. picture: https://medium.com/frank-prempehs-blog/major-lessons-from-the-battle-of-gaugamela-5819d0e5ccb4

Alexander invades India

326 BCE

Alexander, motivated by his desire to conquer the world, invades what is modern-day Pakistan. In the Battle of the Hydaspes, he battles king of Porus, who's battle acumen impresses ATG that he allows him to rule his own province. When ATG's army advances into the Nanda empire, his soldiers revolt after being weary and outmanned. This effectively ends ATG's extent; he turns south then westward back into Europe. picture: https://www.learnreligions.com/alexander-the-greats-india-invasion-1770395

Death

323 BCE

Alexander the Great, age 32, contracts an illness, suspected to be malaria or poisoning, and dies after a 2 week struggle. His cause of death is controversial to this day. He is buried in a gold sarcophagus, in a gold casket and his body is sealed in honey. picture: https://www.history.com/news/alexander-the-great-death-cause-discovery