Alexander III of Macedon, commonly known as Alexander the Great, was a king of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon who is considered one of the greatest military minds in history. Born in 356 BC, he succeeded his father Philip II at the age of 20 and went on to create one of the largest empires of the ancient world, stretching from Greece to northwestern India. Here is a timeline of his life and significant events.
Birth of Alexander the Great
20/21 July 356 BC
Alexander III of Macedon was born in Pella, Macedonia, to King Philip II and Queen Olympias. His birth marked the beginning of a new era in Macedonian history.
Tutorship by Aristotle
343 BC
King Philip II summoned Aristotle to tutor his young son Alexander, who was then 13 years old. This tutelage had a profound impact on Alexander's intellectual and philosophical development.
Accession to the Throne
336 BC
Following the assassination of his father Philip II, Alexander succeeded him as king of Macedon at the age of 20. He inherited a strong kingdom and an experienced army.
Invasion of the Persian Empire
334 BC
Alexander invaded the Achaemenid Empire, marking the beginning of his extensive military campaigns that would last for 10 years and result in the conquest of a vast territory.
Battle of Issus
333 BC
Alexander defeated Darius III of Persia at the Battle of Issus, a decisive victory that broke the power of Persia and opened the way for further conquests.
Conquest of Tyre and Egypt
332 BC
Alexander conquered the island city of Tyre and then moved on to Egypt, which he conquered without resistance. He founded Alexandria, which would become a major center of Greek culture.
Battle of the Jaxartes
329 BC
Alexander defeated the Scythian warriors at the Battle of the Jaxartes, securing his northern border and demonstrating his tactical skills.
Invasion of India
326 BC
Alexander invaded the Indian subcontinent, winning a significant victory over the Pauravas at the Battle of the Hydaspes. However, he eventually turned back due to the demands of his homesick troops.
Death of Alexander the Great
10/11 June 323 BC
Alexander died in Babylon, possibly due to a fever or poisoning. His death led to a series of civil wars among his generals, resulting in the division of his empire.
Wars of the Diadochi
322 BC - 275 BC
The Wars of the Diadochi, also known as the Wars of Alexander's Successors, were a series of conflicts among Alexander's generals and heirs, leading to the establishment of several Hellenistic kingdoms.
