Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great was a king of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon. He was born in 356 BCE in the city of Pella, which was the capital of Macedon. His father was Philip II of Macedon, a powerful king who built a strong army. His mother was Olympias, who came from the region of Epirus. Alexander became king in 336 BCE after his father died. He was only twenty years old at the time.

Alexander received a careful education. One of his teachers was Aristotle, a Greek philosopher. A philosopher is a person who studies knowledge, nature, and human life. Aristotle taught Alexander subjects such as science, geography, and literature. This education influenced how Alexander viewed the world. From a young age, Alexander learned about Greek culture and the idea that Greek ways of life could spread to other lands.

After becoming king, Alexander worked to control areas that had rebelled against Macedon. He then began a large military campaign against the Persian Empire. The Persian Empire was a vast state that stretched across much of Western Asia. Alexander led his army across Asia Minor, Egypt, and Mesopotamia. Important battles included the Battle of Issus in 333 BCE and the Battle of Gaugamela in 331 BCE. These victories weakened Persian rule.

Alexander continued his campaigns eastward into Central Asia and parts of India. His army crossed rivers and deserts and fought in many regions far from Greece. As his empire grew, Alexander founded many cities. Many of these cities were named Alexandria. One well-known example is Alexandria in Egypt. These cities became centers where Greek language and customs mixed with local traditions.

Alexander ruled over many different peoples and lands. He adopted some local customs and encouraged cooperation between Macedonians and non-Greeks. Greek language and culture spread across the empire during this time. This period is often called the Hellenistic age. The word "Hellenistic" comes from "Hellas," which is the Greek name for Greece.

Alexander died in 323 BCE in the city of Babylon. He was thirty-two years old. The cause of his death is not fully known. After his death, his empire did not stay united. His generals, known as the Diadochi, divided the empire into smaller kingdoms. These kingdoms continued to influence the ancient world for many years after Alexander’s death.