Alexander the Great

Alexander marriage

358 BCE

Marriage of Olympias to Philip II of Macedonia.

Alexander is born

356 BCE

Alexander is born in 356 B.C at pella in Macedonia, the son of kings Philip it and Olympias.

Philip hires Aristotle to tutor Alexander

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 particularly loves Homer's Iliad, which inspires him to dream of becoming a great warrior

Alexander joins his father's army

340 BCE

At age 16, Alexander finishes studying under Aristotle and joins his father's army. 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.

Alexander leads the attack against the Thebans

338 BCE

the Macedonians meet the Athenians and Thebans in battle at 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.

Philip is assassinated and Alexander becomes king

336 BCE

Philip celebrates his upcoming departure to attack Persia, as well as the marriage of his daughter Cleopatra. However, one of his bodyguards assassinates him in the theater of Agae. Alexander becomes king of Macedonia at the age of 20.

Alexander subdues rebellion in Greek city-states

335 BCE

After Philip's death, the Thracians and Illyrians rise up in rebellion. This inspires the Greek city-state 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 the other city-states that Alexander is just as powerful as his father.

Alexander departs for Asia

334 BCE

After subduing rebellious Greek city-states, Alexander plans his campaign against the Persians, hoping to fulfill his father's dream of conquering the empire. Though his advisers object and Macedonia is virtually bankrupt, Alexander borrows money to supply his troops for one month and departs for Asia,

The Macedonians and Persians meet on the battlefield

334 BCE

After crossing the Hellespont, Alexander leads the Macedonian army against the Persians at the Granicus river. After savage fighting, the Persians retreat, and Alexander's army moves across the southern coast of Asia toward Gordium. As they travel, they liberate a number of cities from Persian rule.

Alexander solves the puzzle of the Gordian knot

333 BCE

Alexander spends the winter at Gordium, in present-day Turkey. According to legend, he solves the puzzle of the Gordian knot, which held together the yoke and pole of a 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 his Asian campaign.

Alexander conquers Egypt

332 BCE

After conquering Syria, Alexander sweeps south and easily conquers Egypt after besieging Gaza.

Alexander conquers Babylon

331 BCE

Alexander and Darius, king of the Persians, meet at Gaugamela in a decisive battle. Alexander's military skills overwhelm Darius, who orders his men to flee, and the Macedonians are victorious. Alexander moves from one major Persian city to the next, conquering Babylon and taking treasure to distribute among his men. He incorporates Persian officials into his administration and adopts Persian customs in order to hold his empire together.

Alexander accidentally kills one of his closest companions

328 BCE

Suffering from the tensions of warfare and command, Alexander becomes drunk at a banquet. He and his close companion Cleitus, who saved his life at the battle of Granicus, fall into an argument. Alexander accidentally stabs Cleitus with a spear, and is filled with remorse at Cleitus' death. However, this incident marks a turning point for Alexander, whose officers begin to fear him

Alexander marries Roxane

327 BCE

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, Alexander's Persian mistress. Roxane later bears Alexander a son.

Alexander defeats King Porus in northern India

326 BCE

Hoping to add even more territory to his empire, Alexander and his troops cross the Hindu Kush into northern India. They defeat King Porus, leader of a kingdom east of the Hydaspes River, after figuring out how to attack Porus' war elephants. After several months in India, however, Alexander's army refuses to go any farther, and he is forced to return to Babylon. He spends the next few years trying to consolidate power in his empire.

Alexander dies

323 BCE

Before he can set out on his new campaign, Alexander falls ill with a sudden fever. According to legend, he leaves his empire to "the strongest" of his commanders, but after his death, his empire falls into disorder. His three commanders divide up the empire and compete for control.