Alexander the Great

  • Birth of Alexander
    356 BCE

    Birth of Alexander

    Alexander is born in Pella. Macedonia to King Philip ll.
  • Philip hires Aristotle to tutor Alexander
    343 BCE

    Philip hires 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

    Alexander joins his father's army

    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.
  • Alexander leads the attack against the Thebans
    338 BCE

    Alexander leads the attack against the Thebans

    In August 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 is assassinated and Alexander becomes king

    in October 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

    Alexander subdues rebellion in Greek city-states

    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, Alexander is just as powerful as his father.
  • Alexander leads the Macedonia army
    334 BCE

    Alexander leads the Macedonia army

    After savage fighting, the Persian retreat, and Alexanders army moves across the southern coast of Asia toward Gordium
  • The Macedonians and Persians meet on the battlefield
    334 BCE

    The Macedonians and Persians meet on the battlefield

    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.
  • Alexander solves the puzzle of the Gordian knot.
    333 BCE

    Alexander solves the puzzle of the Gordian knot.

    Alexander spends the winter of 333 BCE 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.
  • Alexander conquers Babylon
    331 BCE

    Alexander conquers Babylon

    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.
  • 328 BCE

    Alexander accidentally kills one of his closest companions

    Suffering from the tensions of warfare and command, Alexander becomes drunk at a banquet in the fall of 328 BCE. He and his close companion Cleitus, who saved his life at the battle of Granicus, fall into an argument.
  • Death of Alexander
    323 BCE

    Death of Alexander

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