To better understand his layered life, read on to learnten important facts.
Statue of Alexander the Great in Thessaloniki, Greece.
He was of royal lineage on both sides.
Alexander Mosaic, House of the Faun, Pompeii, 100 BCE (Photo:Wikimedia Commons[Public Domain])
Alexander was born in 354 BCE toKing Philip II of Macedoniaand his fourth wife,Olympia.
Her family even claimed relation to the Trojan War heroAchilles.
After Alexander’s birth, Olympia was made the principal wife.
Statue of Alexander the Great in Thessaloniki, Greece. (Stock Photosfrom Nenad Nedomacki/Shutterstock)
However, their marriage was not all sunshine and roses.
Alexander’s father paved the way for his military success.
To do this, Philip II utilized diplomacy, marriage alliances, as well as a reformed army.
Philip II, king of Macedonia, Roman copy of Greek original, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen (Photo: Richard Mortel viaWikimedia Commons)
Alexander’s father developed an infantry formation known as theMacedonian phalanx.
This was typically used to hold off forces while cavalry went on the offensive.
He was tutored by Aristotle.
Map of the Kingdom of Macedon at the death of Philip II in 336 BC (Photo: Marsyas viaWikimedia Commons)
Among the esteemed names called in to teach the 13-year-old prince was the acclaimedGreek philosopher Aristotle.
(King Philip II promised to rebuild Aristotle’s home in Stagira in exchange for tutoring his son.)
This encounter seemed to have inspired a life-longlove of philosophyand its different forms.
Portrait of Alexander the Great. Marble, Hellenistic artwork, 2nd-1st century BC. Said to be from Alexandria, Egypt (Photo viaWikimedia Commons[Public Domain])
Yes, Diogenes replied, stand aside.
You’re blocking my sun.
TheIliadwas his favorite book.
Extent of Alexander the Great’s Empire. (Stock Photosfrom Peter Hermes Furian/Shutterstock)
Plutarch said, He esteemed it a perfect portable treasure of all military virtue and knowledge.
Bucephalus was the name of his mighty steed.
Macedon is too small for you.
Istanbul Archaeological Museum – Alexander the Great. 3rd century BC statue, signed “Menas” (Photo: Giovanni Dall’Orto viaWikimedia Commons)
Alexander ended up keeping the horse, naming itBucephalas, meaning ox-head.
Portrait of Alexander the Great.
Marble, Hellenistic artwork, 2nd-1st century BC.
Said to be from Alexandria, Egypt (Photo viaWikimedia Commons[Public Domain])
6.
Alexander’s assumption to the throne was violent.
However, Alexander was not easily placated.
He (might have) cut the Gordian Knot.
An oracle stated that whoever was able to undo the knot would become ruler of Asia.
Alexander’s solution, however, is disputed.
Alexander was never defeated in battle.
Already as a teenage general, Alexander was well respected for leading men into battle at extraordinary speed.
Assuming the crown only served to strengthen Alexander’s talents.
According to records, even after 15 years of warfare,Alexander never lost a battle.
Moreover, the Macedonian king and his army are calculated to havewalked over 11,000 milesduring his 12-year-reign.
Additionally, Alexander’s empirefrom Greece to Indiatotaled20 million square miles.
Extent of Alexander the Great’s Empire.
(Stock Photosfrom Peter Hermes Furian/Shutterstock)
9.
He named more than 70 cities after himself.
From Egypt to Turkey, Alexander left his mark all across his empire.
The Macedonian king even founded a city calledBucephalain India, named after his beloved horse’s death.
Alexander’s death is still a mystery.
In 323 BCE, Alexander died from a fever at32 years of age.
Thecause of deathis still speculated among historians.
Some believe Alexander may have beenpoisonedby those closest to him.
Others propose he died ofenvironmental causessuch as malaria, lung infection, or typhoid fever.
Ptolemy I aimed to be seen as Alexander’s successor by obtaining control of the Macedonian king’s body.
Ultimately, a tomb for Alexander’s remains was constructed in the Egyptian city ofAlexandria.
Istanbul Archaeological Museum Alexander the Great.
