Alexander the Great (Alexander III the Great) was the king of Macedonia from the Argead dynasty (from 336 BC). An outstanding military leader, the creator of a world power that collapsed after his death.

Biography

He was probably born on July 20/23 or October 6/10, 356 BC in Pella.

After the death of his father, Philip II, Alexander was declared king at the age of 20.

He died on June 10 or 13, 323 BC in Babylon.

The place of burial is Alexandria, Egypt.

After assuming royal power, Alexander dealt with the murderers of his father and possible contenders for the throne.

Within a year, he destroyed the internal opposition, pacified the fallen Thracian and Illyrian tribes and the rebellious Greek cities, razing Thebes to the ground and selling their citizens into slavery.

To consolidate his power in the conquered territories, Alexander built fortresses with strong garrisons there, called Alexandrias.

Military achievements

In 334 BC, Alexander crossed over to Asia Minor, starting a war with the Persian empire.

At Granicus, he defeated the satraps, and at Issus (333 BC), King Darius III himself, after which he subjugated Syria, Judea and Egypt.

In 331 BC, Alexander won a decisive victory at Gavgamela in Mesopotamia.

In three years (329-326 BC), he conquered Central Asia, and then invaded India, but the tired army refused to go further.

Heritage

Alexander the Great founded many new cities throughout the empire, most of them were named after the founder of Alexandria.

The campaigns of Alexander the Great marked the beginning of a new period in the history of the Eastern Mediterranean — the era of Hellenism.

However, shortly after Alexander's death, this vast kingdom began to disintegrate as his generals and successors, the diadochi, fought with each other for supremacy.