KING OF MACEDON • HELLENISTIC WORLD

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ALEXANDER

ALEXANDER THE GREAT

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356 BCE – 323 BCE

MACEDONIA • GREECE • ASIA • EGYPT

King of Macedon and one of antiquity's most successful military commanders, whose campaigns created a vast empire stretching from Greece to parts of India.

EXPLORE BIOGRAPHY ↓

AT A GLANCE

Alexander the Great

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👑 King

Became king of Macedon in 336 BCE after the death of his father, Philip II.

⚔ Conqueror

Defeated the Persian Empire and conquered territories across Egypt, Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent.

🏛 Founder

Founded or established numerous settlements, several of which became important cities in the Hellenistic world.

🌍 Hellenistic Age

His conquests helped spread Greek language, culture and political traditions across a vast region.

THE MAKING OF A KING

Early Life & Education

The Macedonian prince who inherited a powerful kingdom and ambitious military plans.

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Alexander was born in 356 BCE in Pella, the capital of the ancient kingdom of Macedon. His father was Philip II of Macedon and his mother was Olympias of Epirus.

Alexander received an extensive education. The philosopher Aristotle was among his tutors and taught him subjects including philosophy, literature, science and medicine.

His father Philip II transformed Macedon into a major military power and united much of mainland Greece under Macedonian leadership. Alexander inherited this powerful kingdom when he became king in 336 BCE.

EARLY CAMPAIGNS

Securing Macedonia & Greece

Alexander moved quickly to secure his position before beginning his eastern campaign.

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336 BCE

New King

Alexander became king of Macedon after the assassination of Philip II and immediately faced challenges to his rule.

335 BCE

Greece

Alexander campaigned against revolts in Greece and re-established Macedonian authority over the Greek states.

334 BCE

Asia Begins

Alexander crossed the Hellespont and began his campaign against the Achaemenid Persian Empire.

CONQUEST

Defeat of the Persian Empire

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Alexander's invasion of the Achaemenid Empire began in 334 BCE. His army won important victories against Persian forces, beginning with the Battle of the Granicus.

In 333 BCE, Alexander defeated the Persian king Darius III at the Battle of Issus. Darius escaped, but Alexander continued southward through the eastern Mediterranean.

After taking Egypt, Alexander moved into Mesopotamia and defeated Darius decisively at the Battle of Gaugamela in 331 BCE.

The Persian imperial capitals, including Babylon, Susa and Persepolis, subsequently came under Alexander's control.

EGYPT

Alexander in Egypt

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Alexander entered Egypt in 332 BCE after defeating Persian forces in the region. He was welcomed by many Egyptians as a liberator from Persian rule.

At the Siwa Oasis, Alexander visited the famous sanctuary of the Egyptian god Amun. Ancient sources describe an important encounter with the oracle there.

Alexander also founded the city of Alexandria on the Mediterranean coast. It later became one of the most important intellectual and commercial centers of the ancient world.

MILITARY ACHIEVEMENTS

Major Battles

The campaigns that transformed Alexander's kingdom into a vast empire.

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334 BCE

Granicus

Alexander defeated a Persian force near the Granicus River, opening the way for further Macedonian advances in Anatolia.

333 BCE

Issus

Alexander defeated the army of Darius III in southern Anatolia, forcing the Persian king to retreat.

331 BCE

Gaugamela

Alexander's victory at Gaugamela effectively destroyed the Persian king's ability to maintain control of the empire.

EASTWARD EXPANSION

Central Asia & India

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After the collapse of Persian resistance, Alexander continued eastward through Central Asia. His campaigns there lasted several years and met strong local resistance.

Alexander eventually crossed the Indus River and entered the northwestern Indian subcontinent in 326 BCE.

At the Battle of the Hydaspes, Alexander defeated King Porus, a ruler in the Punjab region. Ancient accounts describe the battle as one of the most difficult of his campaigns.

Alexander's troops eventually refused to advance farther east. After reaching the Hyphasis River, the army turned back.

A CHANGING WORLD

Culture & Hellenistic Influence

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Alexander's conquests connected regions that had previously belonged to different political and cultural spheres.

Greek language and cultural traditions spread across many parts of the conquered territories. At the same time, Greek communities interacted with Egyptian, Persian, Central Asian and South Asian cultures.

Alexander also incorporated people from the territories he conquered into his administration and army. His policies toward local traditions changed over time and were sometimes controversial among his Macedonian followers.

The period following his death became known as the Hellenistic Age, during which Greek and local cultures interacted across a vast region.

323 BCE

The Final Years

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After returning to Babylon, Alexander began planning further military and naval projects. His empire had reached an enormous extent, but maintaining control over such a large territory remained a major challenge.

Alexander became seriously ill in Babylon and died in June 323 BCE at the age of 32.

The exact cause of his death remains uncertain. Ancient sources provide different accounts, and modern historians continue to debate possible explanations.

Alexander left no clearly established adult successor capable of immediately controlling the entire empire.

AFTER ALEXANDER

The Successor Kingdoms

His empire did not remain politically united.

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PTOLEMAIC KINGDOM

Egypt

Ptolemy, one of Alexander's generals, established control over Egypt and founded the Ptolemaic dynasty.

SELEUCID EMPIRE

Asia

Seleucus established a powerful kingdom covering large parts of Alexander's former Asian territories.

MACEDONIA

Antigonids

The Antigonid dynasty eventually became the dominant royal house in Macedon.

LEGACY

Alexander's Enduring Influence

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Alexander the Great became one of the most famous figures of ancient history. His military campaigns changed the political geography of the ancient Mediterranean and Near East.

His conquests helped create the conditions for the Hellenistic world, where Greek and local cultures interacted across a vast region.

His reputation was preserved and transformed through Greek, Roman, Persian, Arabic and other historical traditions, making him an enduring figure in world history.

His achievements were extraordinary, but his empire depended heavily on his personal leadership and fragmented rapidly after his death.

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