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Alexander the Great was born in Pella on July 20, 356 BC. He was the son of King Philip II and Queen Olympia. -
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From age 13 to 16 Alexander is tutored by Aristotle, who inspires him throughout his training. Alexander also shows military abilities at a young age. At age 16, he was left in charge of Macedonia during Philip’s attack on Byzantium, protecting the kingdom from local rivals. At age 18 he led a successful charge against the elite fighting force, the Sacred Band of Thebes, helping his father win the battle.
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Alexander the Great's dad is assassinated by his guard. -
Alexander inherits his father's military forces. He then kills his rivals to protect his throne and control the Greek states. They all agree to send troops for his planned war against Persia. -
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Crossing into Persia, Alexander defeats King Darius III at the Granicus River and in Issus, conquering western Persia. He then travels south to stop the Persian fleet's access to ports along the coast. He decides to disband his navy and fight a land war in Persia.
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Alexander conquered Tyre and Egypt, where he found the city of Alexandria. -
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Alexander defeats Darius at Gaugamela and after Darius’s death, he declares himself King of Asia. He then uses Persia's wealth to fund his expeditions. His expedition spreads Hellenistic culture throughout the conquered lands. To blend Macedonian and Persian cultures, Alexander adopts a Persian dress.
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Alexander invades India, defeating several local rulers. His last battle is against King Porus at Hydaspes River. After this, his tired troops don't want to go further and he is forced to turn back. A march through the Gedrosia desert causes great suffering and many deaths.
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Alexander returns to Susa, the commanding center of the Persian empire. He organizes a big marriage ceremony between Macedonia soldiers and Persian women. This is another attempt to unite the two cultures. He sends many veterans home with prizes and honors and begins to plan for future expeditions. -
After a short illness, Alexander dies. He has not named a successor, and his empire splits into factions. Eventually, several of his former generals established their kingdoms.