History of AlexanderHis life history

Alexander (356-323 B.C.), was king of Macedonia known
primarily for his conquest over many kingdoms of the
world.

Alexander son of Philip of Macedon and Olympias,
princess of Epirus. Alexander's mother inculcated in him the ambition for great military
achievements.  Alexander, who was an eager learner became pupil of Aristotle when he was
13 years old. Aristotle inspired him with a  love for literature.  He learnt about Greek
ways of living, and was impressed by the ideals of Greek civilization.  Aristotle also
inspired in Alexander a keen interest in other countries and races of people, and in
animals and plants.

From a young age Alexander talked with
ambassadors from many foreign countries, and with other noted people at his father's
court.  At the age of 18, he commanded part of Philip's cavalry at the battle of
Chaeronea.  He also acted as his father's ambassador to
Athens.

Alexander became king of Macedonia when he was 20.
A rebellion against Alexanders rule arose with the rumor of Alexander's death while he
was away making war on some barbarian tribes in the north However Alexander soon
appeared before with his army and crushed the revolt mercilessly. This action broke the
spirit of rebellion in the Greek states.

Alexander then
turned his attention toward conquering Persia. In 334 B.C. won a decisive victory over
Persia in a battle on the banks of the Granicus River. opening a way for all Asia Minor
to him.

In 333 B.C., Alexander marched along the coast into
Syria and defeated the king of Persia, Darius III. He then marched south into Phoenicia
and captured Tyre after a seven-month siege. Alexander's victory over Tyre is considered
one of his greatest military achievement. Subsequently Gaza suffered the same fate as
Tyre.

Alexander next went to Egypt.  where he was welcomed
by the Egyptians as a deliverer, because they hated their Persian rulers.  Alexander
founded there the city of Alexandria on a strip of land between Lake Mareotis and the
Mediterranean Sea.

Alexander turned again to the Persian
front in 331 B.C. when Darius was making preparations to fight Alexander again. The
Persian cavalry captured Alexander's camp.  But, subsequently Alexander routed Darius,
in a battle near the village of Gaugamela. The city of Babylon surrendered, and
Alexander easily captured the Persian cities of Susa and Persepolis.  He looted vast
treasures of gold and silver from these cities and either killed or sold into slavery
all the inhabitants of Persepolis.  He burned Persepolis in revenge for the Persian
burning of Athens in 480 B.C.

Alexander crossed the Zagros
Mountains into Media in 330 B.C. and marched on, encountering only local opposition from
tribes people. Alexander occupied the southern shore of the Caspian Sea,  continuing to
the east. He set up Iranian nobles as new local governors, but they revolted after he
left.

Over the next two years Alexander ran over southeast
Persia, north Afghanistan, Bactria and Sogdiana behind the Hindu Kush mountain range,
going as far as the Jaxartes River. Alexander married Roxane, the daughter of a Sogdian
baron.

Alexander reached the rich plains of India in 326
B.C. and defeated an Indian prince, Porus, in this region. He planned to march to the
Ganges River.  But his army mutinied forcing Alexander turn back. Alexander was taken
seriously ill with malaria at Babylon.  He died on June 13, 323
B.C.