Alexander the Great In the ancient city of Pella, Greece, in July 356 B.C.

, Alexander III of Macedon was born. He was the most powerful ruler and general of his time, expanding his empire along the Mediterranean and across the south-west part of Asia. His early childhood foreshadowed the young boys success and wide knowledge of arts and military combat. Alexander had many important accomplishments and events, including the conquering of the Persian Empire. He was strong and smart, mentally and physically, which made him a very significant character and king of his large Empire. Born as the son of the King of Macedon, Philip II, Alexander was an exceptionally bright boy. His mother was Philips fourth wife, Olympias, who was also the daughter of the King of Epirus. As a child, he showed many signs of courage and brilliance, for example, when he was ten years old, a horse trader presented King Philip II with a horse. When the horse was deemed un-mountable, the king ordered it to be taken away. Alexander quickly rushed over, realizing that the horse was afraid of its own shadow, and offered to try and tame the horse. When he succeeded, his father ran over and hugged him with great pride and amazement. He said to him, My boy, you must find a kingdom big enough for your ambitions. Macedon is too small for you. Alexander also had wonderful educational opportunities including being tutored by the most prestigious scholars and teachers. At first, he was taught by Leonidas, a strict relative of his mothers. In his later years his father began to search for a more experienced and talented tutor. In his search, he passed up offers from Isocrates and Speusippus and finally settled on hiring the talented Aristotle. The Temple of Nymphs was the provided classroom for Alexander and

children of other Macedonian nobles. These children included Hephaistion, Ptolemy, and Cassander, and would serve as Alexanders friends and future generals. For example, Ptolemy was a general under order of Alexander and would later become the King of Egypt. Aristotle was a great teacher and role model, teaching them everything from medicine to art. When Alexander was at an older age, his father fell in love with one of his generals nieces, Cleopatra Eurydice. They got engaged and soon married. At the wedding, Attalus, Cleopatras uncle, was drunk and made a speech praying to the gods that they would bear a son of full Macedonian decent. This infuriated Alexander, who struck the drunk generals head with a cup yelling, You villain! What, am I then a bastard? He then ran away and took his mother with him, dropping her off at her brothers in Epirus. He fled to Illyria, to seek refuge with the king, whom gladly accepted him as a guest. Six months later, he was able to return home from exile. These events deeply impacted his desire to be the best king there was. Alexander the Great proved to be an excellent general and King. For example, in 339 B.C., during his fathers absence when he was just sixteen, Alexander was left as regent, temporarily in charge of the kingdom. During this time, Maedi insurgents revolted against Macedon and Alexander crushed the revolt without hesitation. In the year 336 B.C., Philip was assassinated and Alexander was named king by the Macedonian Army and the Noblemen of Macedon. He was only twenty years old. He marched his army all over the Arabian and Mediterranean areas, conquering everything he pursued. In 333 B.C., he fought and claimed Syria and Levant. By the end of 332 B.C., Alexander had conquered Tyre, Gaza, and all of Egypt. On his way to Persia in 331 B.C., he took control of Assyria and Babylonia. A few years later, the Persian King was murdered and Alexander declared himself his successor. The Persian

Empire had been defeated and was now under control of Alexander the Great, along with most of Arabia and parts of Asia. Although the Empire of Macedon soon declined and fell after Alexanders death, much of its success was due to him. Being taught by his father, the King, and the brilliant man Aristotle, he had and exceptionally bright mind. He was taught and mastered all the Macedon subjects, including reading, fighting, playing the lyre, hunting, and riding. The significance and greatest achievement of Alexander the Great is that he spread the Greek culture and language. He also spread the Christian religion across the Middle East. Alexander the Great was one the greatest rulers our world has ever seen, expanding his empires land, culture, and language across the Middle East, Southern Europe, and Asia.