Royal Beginnings
Alexander was born in 356 BC in the Macedonian capital of Pella. He was born to King Philip II and his 4th wife Olympias. Olympias was one of 7 wives but gained fame as the mother of Alexander.
On the day he was born, it is believed the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, had burned down. This led to a popular legend, started by historian, Hegesias of Magnesia, that this had occurred because Artemis was away tending to the birth of Alexander.
An Unparallelled Education
Alexander the Great received an excellent education as the son of the reigning king Philip II. Until he was 16 years old, Alexander was under the tutelage of renowned Greek philosopher and polymath, Aristotle. It was a few years later in 336 BC that Philip II would be assassinated, leaving 20-year-old Alexander to take the throne.
A Ruler to be Feared
Alexander began his reign by eliminating his competition, other Macedonian princes, including his own cousin. He proved to be a skilled warrior and tactician, completing his father’s conquest of Persia and then expanding even further.
By the time he was 30, he had amassed the largest ancient empire which began in Greece and extended to northwestern India. The historic leader passed away at the age of 32 in Babylon.