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LEGENDS OF CONQUEST
ALEXANDER
THE GREAT
ALEXANDER THE GREAT
Birth and Mythical Origins
Alexander the Great of Macedon was born on July 20, 356 BCE, in Pella, the capital of the Kingdom of Macedon in northern Greece. He was the son of King Philip II of Macedon and Queen Olympias, the daughter of the King of Epirus. According to ancient accounts, Queen Olympias claimed that Alexander was conceived by Zeus himself, making him semi-divine. It was also said that the goddess Artemis acted as his midwife and played a role in his birth. On the night Alexander was born, the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus—one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World—was said to have burned down, which some interpreted as a sign of his future greatness. Alexander’s father, Philip, hired the philosopher Aristotle as his tutor, ensuring that he received an exceptional education. Alexander's rise to power began when his father was assassinated in 336 BCE. At just 20 years old, he ascended to the Macedonian throne.
The Siege of Tyre and March to Egypt
Alexander’s conquests extended beyond Anatolia. He laid siege to the island city of Tyre in 332 BCE, employing innovative siege tactics to breach its formidable defenses after seven months. His victory at Tyre demonstrated his determination and tactical brilliance.
Following this, he marched into Egypt, where he was welcomed as a liberator and declared the son of the god Amun at the Oracle of Siwa. In 331 BCE, he founded the city of Alexandria, which would later become a center of culture, learning, and trade.
The Fall of Persia
Alexander’s campaign against Persia culminated in the Battle of Gaugamela in 331 BCE, where he decisively defeated Darius III and effectively ended Persian dominance. He captured the Persian capitals of Babylon, Susa, and Persepolis, amassing immense wealth and solidifying his rule over the former Persian Empire.
Later Campaigns and Legacy
After conquering Persia, Alexander pushed further east into Central Asia and India, driven by an unrelenting desire to expand his empire. However, his troops, exhausted from years of campaigning, eventually refused to march further. In 323 BCE, Alexander returned to Babylon, where he fell ill and died at the age of 32. The cause of his death remains a mystery, with theories ranging from malaria and typhoid fever to poisoning.
Legacy
Alexander’s legacy endures as one of history’s greatest military commanders and visionaries. His conquests spread Greek culture, language, and ideas across vast territories, leading to the Hellenistic Era—a period marked by the blending of Greek and Eastern cultures. Cities named after him, particularly Alexandria in Egypt, became centers of learning and trade, influencing civilizations for centuries.
Though his empire fragmented after his death, Alexander’s impact on history is undeniable. His life, surrounded by myths, battles, and triumphs, continues to inspire and captivate generations, cementing his place as a timeless symbol of ambition and greatness.
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