Alexander the Great’s life is one of unparalleled ambition, military genius, and immense tragedy. Born in 356 BC in Macedon to King Philip II and Olympias, Alexander was destined for greatness from an early age. His education, under the guidance of the philosopher Aristotle, sharpened both his intellect and strategic mind, while his mother instilled in him a sense of divine purpose, claiming he was the son of Zeus.

Alexander’s rise to power began after his father’s assassination in 336 BC, when he quickly took control of Macedon and reasserted dominance over the Greek city-states. In 334 BC, he launched his legendary conquest of the Persian Empire, beginning with a decisive victory at the Battle of Granicus. His subsequent victories at Issus and Gaugamela crushed Darius III and solidified his control over Persia.

As he expanded eastward, Alexander’s ambition led him through Central Asia and into India, where he defeated King Porus at the Battle of Hydaspes. However, his army, exhausted from years of campaigning, refused to push further east, forcing Alexander to return to Babylon. In 323 BC, at the height of his power, Alexander died under mysterious circumstances, leaving his vast empire without a clear successor.

After his death, his empire quickly disintegrated, as his generals—known as the Diadochi—fought for control, leading to the fragmentation of his territories into Hellenistic kingdoms. Though his empire did not survive, Alexander’s conquests spread Greek culture across the ancient world, marking the beginning of the Hellenistic Age and leaving a legacy of cultural fusion and ambition that continues to influence history.