Life and achievements
Early life
Alexander III of Macedon, also known as Alexander the Great, was born on 20 July 356 BC in Pella, the then capital of the Kingdom of Macedon in the Greek peninsula. His father was King Philip II of Macedon, and his mother was Queen Olympias, daughter of the kings of Epirus. Alexander was born into the royal family and had a very ambitious childhood, understanding that he was to inherit a kingdom and expand it further in Greece.
From childhood, Alexander was prepared for leadership. Aristotle, the philosopher, guided his education with a strict curriculum. Thus, under the tutorship of Aristotle, Alexander became a philosopher, an ethicist, a politician, a literate, and a scientist. This education helped him to expand his view of the world and to develop a great respect towards Greek culture and philosophy.
He was also exposed to the political and military culture of ancient Macedonia. His father, Philip II, was one of the most successful military commanders and tacticians of the ancient world and made Macedonia a great power. As a young boy, Alexander was able to accompany his father on many of his military campaigns, political maneuvers, and attempts at extending the borders of Macedonia, which gave him a lot of experience that he would apply in his own reign.
At age sixteen, Alexander had his first taste of warfare when he joined his father on a military expedition to Byzantium. This early exposure to battle was instrumental in shaping him into the great military leader he would become.
Unfortunately, when Philip II was murdered by one of his bodyguards in 336 BC, Alexander, who was only twenty years old at the time, became the king of Macedon. When Alexander came to power, he had to deal with other Greek states jealous of his power and internal revolts. But he acted immediately and effectively, showing his military and managerial talents by crushing the resistance and strengthening his grip on the Macedonian state.
Alexander became king of a kingdom ready for expansion. While his father had aimed at consolidating mainland Greece under Macedonian rule, Alexander had grand visions. He looked at himself as the new Achilles, the king of conquerors who would subdue the world to the Hellenistic language and culture.
This ambition inspired Alexander to start his military expeditions, which are famous as the Wars of Alexander the Great or the Macedonian Empire. Between 334 and 323 BC, Alexander the Great waged a series of campaigns that changed the map of the ancient world. He then proceeded to Asia Minor (present-day Turkey) and defeated the Persians in a number of battles, such as the Battle of Granicus, the Battle of Issus, and the Battle of Gaugamela.
Alexander was a military genius famous for his tactical and strategic approaches on the battlefield, speed, and, most importantly, his ability to create excellent discipline and morale among his troops. He aimed not only at conquering territories but also at extending Greek influence in terms of culture, arts, language, and architectural development throughout the conquered territories. He established many cities named after him, including Alexandria in Egypt, which became one of the most essential trade, cultural, and scientific centers.
Alexander had his share of troubles and failures during his military expeditions. These included mutinies among his troops, problems maintaining an enormous empire, and the personal strain of long wars on himself and his soldiers. However, Alexander did not stop his advance towards the east; he reached the Indian subcontinent and even went up to the Beas River before his troops became tired and homesick, forcing him to retreat.
However, Alexander the Great’s remarkable military expeditions were cut short by his sudden death by illness at 32 in Babylon in 323 BC. His cause of death has not been determined to this date, and theories include poisoning and malaria. In any case, Alexander’s death signified the close of one of history’s most remarkable periods, and he remains one of the most celebrated military strategists and conquerors of all time.
Legacy
Alexander the Great also significantly impacted history, even after his death. His victories altered the map of the world and initiated a change in cultural paradigm, which influenced the development of civilizations for the next few centuries.
Alexander is seen as one of the most significant constructors of civilization, the mediator of the Greek culture who introduced new ways of life to the remote peoples. As he moved east, many cities were founded in his name, such as Alexandria in Egypt and Bucephala in Pakistan. These cities were developed to be the cultural hub of the Greeks with the language, traditions, arts, and architecture. In these diverse cities, Greek culture interacted with Persian, Egyptian, and Indian cultures to form what is known as Hellenism. It continued to function in art, literature, philosophy, and science in the regions that Alexander had conquered and became the foundation of the later Roman Empire.
Alexander’s military operations were not only to conquer land but also to civilize and form a large empire. He was able to conquer all the Greek states and bring them under the rule of Macedonia and went on to extend his kingdom to three continents: Europe, Africa, and Asia, even as far as the northwest of India. His dream of a world empire in which he wanted to incorporate all the nations and cultures into Hellenistic monarchies was later followed by the Roman Empire and the Byzantine Empire.
Besides their political and military accomplishments, Alexander contributed much to the development of learning and scholarship. He created schools, especially the Great Library of Alexandria, where scholars worldwide flocked. This transfer of information was beneficial in the growth of philosophy, science, medicine, mathematics, and other disciplines in different societies. The combination of Greek reason with Eastern wisdom and science helped to enrich the intellectual debate and to prepare the ground for the further development of science and philosophy.
Alexander also influenced art and literature, becoming a legendary figure of a great leader and conqueror. He was portrayed in epics, histories, paintings, and sculptures during his life and many years after his death. The artists depicted him as the ultimate hero with all that is good in him, including ambition, persistence, and the spirit of excellence. Many primary sources, such as Arrian, Plutarch, and Diodorus Siculus, influenced the creation of his image as a brilliant commander and a conqueror.
Alexander’s influence was not only military or cultural but also political and social. His life and achievements remain a model to follow for every ambitious and great personality in the future. Despite the fact that Alexander died at the age of 32 in Babylon in 323 BC, he is a perfect example of a historical leader who significantly influenced history. His influence is still read, emulated, disparaged, and discussed to this day.
Milestone moments
Jul 2, 340
Regency and Early Leadership
Alexander was only 16 at the time, but that did not stop him from exercising his leadership skills when he was made regent of Macedonia while his dad, King Philip II, was busy in the battle against Byzantium. This position placed Alexander right in the middle of Macedonian political and military affairs, which probably served him well as he gained practical experience in government along with military responsibilities.
Jul 1, 336
Ascension to the Throne
Born in 356 BC, Alexander became the king of Macedon immediately after his father’s death, namely Philip II, in year 336 BC. The Thracian rose to power as the king, and he was faced with several crises early in his reign, such as the reactions from other Greek city-states and internal uprises. But Alexander was quick to act, and the lights went out on Parmenio’s rule, his influence diminished, and his fate sealed, soon after the new king consolidated his power.
Jun 7, 334
Conquest of Asia Minor
The first massive expedition undertaken by Alexander was in 334 BC, which culminated into invasion of the Persian Empire. The combined European and Asian forces of Alexander the Great, marching across the Hellespont to start the conquest of Asia Minor. In the first battle of Granicus Alexander won a major victory against the Persian army thus establishing his dominion over the vast region of north-western scientists, along with that Alexander’s warfare skills were also exposed.
Sep 5, 334
Success acquired in the Battle of Issus
There was the great victory of Alexander which was fought in 333 BC, that is the Battle of Issus against the Persian king Darius III. In a way, Alexander had a disadvantage because the Persians were larger; however, he was able to outwit them and gained a critical victory that allowed him to penetrate even deeper into the Persian Empire. The capture of Darius’ family implied the Alexander’s authority, thus enhancing the propaganda that he was the rightful king of the Persian territories.