Alexander the Great

Birth of Alexander

356 BCE

Alexander is born in Pella, Macedonia to King Philip ll

Greek tutor Aristotle

343 BCE

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 the father's army

340 BCE

At the age of 16, Alexander finishes studying under Aristotle and joins father's army. By this point, Philip controls all the Greek city-states except Athens and Thebas. He aims to unite the Macedonians, Greeks, and invade the Persian Empire.

Macedonians, Athenians, and Thebans meet in battle

338 BCE

In August, the Macedonians meet the Athenians and Thebans in battle, while his father leads the attack against the Athenians. It is Alexander's first taste of battle, he and his father defeat the Greeks, placing all Greek city-states except Sparta under Macedonian control.

Philip celebrates but gets killed

336 BCE

Philip celebrates upcoming departure to attack Persia, as well marriage of his daughter Cleopatra. However, one of his bodyguards assassinates him in theater of Agae.

Thracians and Illyrians rise up in rebellion

335 BCE

This inspires the Greek city-states of Thebes to rebel, and Alexander quickly besieges the city and razes it to the ground. The inhabitants are executed or sold into slavery, showing other city-states that Alexander is as powerful as his father

Alexander leads the Macedonian army

334 BCE

Alexander leads the Macedonian army against the Persians at the Granicus River. After savage fighting, the Persians retreat, and Alexander's army moves across southern coast of Asia toward Gordium.

Wintering at Gordium

333 BCE

Alexander attempted to untie the knot. When could find no end to the knot, to unbind it, he sliced it he sliced it in half with a stroke of his sword.

Alexandria

331 BCE

Alexander creates the city of Alexandria, which it meant the hub of Greek commerce and culture. Then Alexander moves one major Persian city to the next, conquering Babylon and taking treasure to distribute among his men.

Suffering from tensions of warfare

328 BCE

Alexander becomes drunk at a banquet in the fall. He and his close companion Cleitus, who saved his life at a battle of Granicus , fall into an argument.

Conquering Eastern Iran

327 BCE

He conquered 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.

Territory

326 BCE

Alexander and his troops cross the Hindu Kush into northern India. They defeat King Porus, leader of a kingdom east of Hydaspes River, after figuring out how to attack Porus' war elephants.

Death of Alexander

323 BCE

Dies of a fever in Babylon on his way back to Greece.