Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great (356-323 BCE) was a Greek king and conqueror of Persian empire. He was called “the Great” because he was really good at bossing people around and killing his rivals.

Early Life

Alexander was born to King Philip II of Macedon and his fourth wife, Olympias. He was a precocious child, reportedly taming a wild horse by the age of 10.

Conquests

Alexander’s biggest accomplishment was his conquest of the Persian empire. He invaded Asia Minor in 334 BCE and spent the next several years battling Darius III, the Persian king. Alexander’s army was outnumbered, but he was able to win thanks to his clever tactics and the fact that the Persians were really bad at fighting wars.

After defeating Darius III, Alexander became king of Persia and continued his conquests into India. He reportedly cried because there were no more worlds left to conquer, which just shows how much of a drama queen he was.

Personal Life

Alexander had a complicated personal life. He was famously close with his best friend and rumored lover, Hephaestion. He also married several women, including a Persian princess and a woman he named after himself.

Death

Alexander died in 223 BCE at the age of 32. The cause of his death is still debated, but some popular theories include malaria, typhoid fever, or just being really drunk. He reportedly died in a dramatic deathbed scene, giving his empire to the strongest of his generals and muttering something about not crying over spilled milk.

Legacy