Alexander III (356-323 B.C.E.), also known as Alexander the Great (336-323 B.C.E.), was a Macedonian King that united Greece and Macedonia, and began a world conquest. Although, he was not able to conquered the known world, his was able to defeat the Persian Empire and control their lands. Alexander, one of the most successfully military leaders of all time, showed his potential at a young age and expanded his father’s legacy by expanding the Macedonian empire in his search for personal glory until his death in 323 B.C.E.
In July 356 B.C.E the son of Philip II, King of Macedonia, and Olympias, the princess of Epirus, Alexander III was born in Pella, Macedonia. At the age of 12, when the tamed an unruly horse this father told him “O my son, look thee out a kingdom equal to and worthy of tyself, for Macedonia is too little for thee” (Macedonianhistory.org). One can say perhaps that was what drove Alexander to greatness; however, that was perhaps only a part, as a student’s of philosophy and literature, Alexander was infatuated with Iliad, and Achilles severed as his role model. He was 18 years old, when he won the Battle of Chaeronea by leading the charge of the Macedonian cavalry (Marx). Alexander inherited the throne of Macedonia after this father’s assassination in October 336.
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The fall of Thebes was just the beginning for Alexander, soon other cities fell under his rule, but he did not stop until he conquered the Persian Empire. His desire to invade India was not reciprocated by his generals and fellow Macedonians, which lead Alexander return to Susa in 324 B.C.E, and died the next year Babylon.(McKay