Alexander the Great

By Camila Salido
  • Birth of Alexander
    356 BCE

    Birth of Alexander

    He is born in Pella, Macedonia to King Philip l
  • Philip hires the Greek philosopher
    343 BCE

    Philip hires the Greek philosopher

    Aristotle teaches Alexander to appreciate philosophy, geography, Greek poetry, and scientific investigation.
  • Alexander finishes studying under Aristotle and joins his father's army.
    340 BCE

    Alexander finishes studying under Aristotle and joins his father's army.

    Philip controls all the Greek city-states except Athens and Thebes. He aims to unite the Macedonians and Greeks and invade the Persian Empire.
  • The Macedonians meet the Athenians and Thebans in battle at Chaeronea.
    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.
  • Philip celebrates his upcoming departure to attack Persia, as well as the marriage of his daughter Cleopatra.
    336 BCE

    Philip celebrates his upcoming departure to attack Persia, as well as the marriage of his daughter Cleopatra.

    One of his bodyguards assassinates him in the theater of Agae.
  • Alexander becomes king of Macedonia
    336 BCE

    Alexander becomes king of Macedonia

    at age 20
  • Thracians and Illyrians rise up in rebellion
    335 BCE

    Thracians and Illyrians rise up in rebellion

    This inspires the Greek city-states of Thebel to rebel, and Alexander quickly besieges the city and razes it to the ground.
  • Alexander leads the Macedonian army against the Persians at the Granicus River
    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 the southern coast of Asia toward Gordium.
  • Alexander spends the winter at Gordium, in present day Turkey.
    333 BCE

    Alexander spends the winter at Gordium, in present day Turkey.

    He solves the puzzle of the Gordian knot, which held together the yoke and pole of a wagon once belonging to King Midas.
  • Alexander creates the city of Alexandria
    331 BCE

    Alexander creates the city of Alexandria

    Is meant to be a hub of Greek commerce and culture. One of many cities he names after himself during his conquests.
  • Alexander moves form one major Persian to the next conquering Babylon and taking treasure to distribute among his men
    331 BCE

    Alexander moves form one major Persian 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 becomes drunk at a banquet
    328 BCE

    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 marries Roxane, the prince's daughter
    327 BCE

    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.
  • Alexander and his troops cross the Hindu Kush into northern India
    326 BCE

    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.
  • Death of Alexander
    323 BCE

    Death of Alexander

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