Who is Alexander the Great?‎ Alexander III of Macedon

Despite his tragically short life—dying at the age of only 32 years old—Alexander the Great succeeded in engraving his name among the most consequential kings and princes to ever rule. His life remains a puzzling mystery that continues to captivate scholars and historians worldwide.

It is a well-known fact among history enthusiasts that over 40 cities across the globe bear the name Alexandria. Perhaps the most famous of these is the magnificent “Bride of the Mediterranean,” strategically located in Egypt, a city personally founded by Alexander the Great himself. So, who exactly was this legendary military mind? What defined his life? And why does his story remain an enigma even today? We will explore these questions together in the following sections.

Who is Alexander the Great?

The legendary figure known to history as Alexander the Great is also formally recognized as Alexander III of Macedon. He remains one of the most famous Greek kings, celebrated as the greatest Greek conqueror. It was under his command that the Greek state achieved its maximum territorial expansion, spanning vast regions. Furthermore, his rule brought a crucial period of political unity to his homeland, Macedonia.

Alexander the Great upbringing and education

Alexander the Great was born in the Kingdom of Macedonia, Greece, on July 20, 356 BC. His royal parents were King Philip II and Queen Olympias. While he received important care from his mother, his relationship with his father was notably inconsistent. King Philip II, frequently absent due to his military conquests and personal pursuits, left Alexander largely in the care of his mother, resulting in a strained and complicated paternal bond.

From a young age, Alexander received intensive training crucial for shaping his military personality. His father appointed a relative to oversee his education, focusing particularly on skills like horsemanship and archery.

The Influence of Aristotle and Homer

Alexander’s education was further defined by the renowned philosopher Aristotle. From the age of thirteen to sixteen, Alexander studied under Aristotle, receiving instruction in a comprehensive curriculum of human knowledge, including ethics, logic, religion, medicine, and art. King Philip II demonstrated his commitment to his son’s education by personally rebuilding Aristotle’s birthplace, liberating its people, and granting pardons—all in exchange for the philosopher’s mentorship.

Crucially, Alexander was captivated by the works of the poet Homer, especially the epic “Iliad.” Aristotle provided him with an annotated version, which Alexander the Great treasured and carried with him throughout his extensive military campaigns, drawing inspiration from the legendary warrior Achilles.

Achievements of Alexander the Great

At the young age of sixteen, Alexander assumed power in the absence of his father, King Philip II, who was engaged in military campaigns against Byzantium. Taking advantage of his perceived inexperience, the Thracian Medes tribes revolted. Alexander swiftly responded with unexpected severity, establishing a settlement for Greeks in their territory and founding his first city, Alexandropolis (meaning “City of Alexander”).

Upon his father’s return, Alexander quickly demonstrated his military skill by quelling revolts in Thrace and strategically saving his father’s life in battle. His early tactical genius was evident when he used strategic deception to mislead enemies, allowing him to surprise and crush opposition forces in Alyria and later Amfissa. His campaigns continued, culminating alongside his father in the decisive Battle of Chaeronea (338 BC). This victory was pivotal, allowing Alexander to consolidate the Greek states, setting the stage for his most ambitious goal: the invasion of the Persian Empire.

Alexander’s coronation to the throne of Macedonia

In 336 BC, while King Philip II was attending his daughter’s wedding, he was assassinated by his own bodyguard commander, Pausanias. Though only twenty years old, Alexander immediately assumed the administration and throne of Macedonia.

His succession was met with revolts from various states. Rejecting diplomatic solutions advised by his counselors, Alexander swiftly mobilized his army. He used a brilliant maneuver to outflank the Thessalians who had occupied a crossing between Mount Olympus and Mount Ossa. By ordering a difficult climb over Mount Ossa, he surprised and surrounded the enemy, forcing their immediate surrender and integration into his own ranks. This successful campaign solidified his authority and led him to the Morea Peninsula and Corinth, where he famously met the philosopher Diogenes. Impressed by Diogenes’ commitment to self-sufficiency, Alexander uttered the celebrated quote: “Truly, I tell you, if I were not Alexander, I would like to be Diogenes.”

The Conquest of the Persian Empire

Appointed as the Commander of the Greek armies against Persia, Alexander crossed the Dardanelles Strait in 334 BC with a massive force of over 54,000 soldiers and a fleet of 120 ships. His initial campaigns successfully deprived the Persians of vital seaports. The conquests continued through the Levant, and by 332 BC, Alexander reached the eastern gate of Egypt. The local populace, already weary of Persian rule, welcomed him as a liberator rather than an invader. Here, he founded the city of Alexandria, which would later become the magnificent capital of the Ptolemaic state.

The Defeat of Darius III and the Title “King of Kings”

Alexander then marched toward Mesopotamia, the heartland of the Persian Empire. At the decisive battle (likely Gaugamela), Shah Darius III commanded a force potentially twice the size of Alexander’s 47,000 soldiers. Alexander’s military genius shone as he executed a bold, parallel maneuver on the flank. Leading his best cavalry, he pierced the enemy’s main ranks and drove straight toward the location of the Shah’s banner. Terrified, Darius III fled the field.

Alexander entered the Persian capital of Babylon as a victorious conqueror of remarkable moral character, strictly forbidding his soldiers from looting or violating private homes. After a long pursuit, Darius was betrayed and murdered by his own satrap, Bessus. Alexander captured and executed Bessus in 329 BC and claimed the prestigious Persian title Shahenshah (meaning “King of Kings”). Although he attempted to introduce some Persian customs, such as the practice of prostration, the strong rejection from his Macedonian companions led him to quickly abandon this royal demand.

Where and how did Alexander the Great die?

Alexander the Great passed away tragically young on June 11, 323 BC, at the palace of Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon. Crucially, the definitive cause of his death remains one of history’s greatest unsolved mysteries.

Various theories abound, reflecting the political turmoil of the time:

• Natural Causes: Some accounts suggest he succumbed after heavy alcohol consumption, leading to a fever that robbed him of his speech and his life. Other medical theories propose he died from diseases like malaria or meningitis.

• Assassination Theories: Perhaps the most dramatic claims suggest he was poisoned by the Macedonian aristocracy, with some even alleging the involvement of his former tutor, the philosopher Aristotle.

Despite the volume of opinions, Alexander’s death is to this day shrouded in complete mystery.

How old was Alexander the Great when he died?

Alexander the Great died at the age of 32, but despite his early death, he remains one of history’s greatest conquerors. His remarkable achievements continue to speak volumes about his amazing legacy.