Even as a young child Alexander showed greatness by taming the horse nobody else was able to ride, Bucephalus. He later named a city after his beloved horse in India near the Hydaspes River where he died in 324 BC.

Alexander was tutored by Aristotle at the age of 13 and was a lover of the Iliad by Homer. It was during this time that he met his lifelong best friend Hephaestion. Many contribute much of Alexander’s intellect to Aristotle especially his interest in science, medicine, and philosophy. At the age of 16 Philip left Alexander in charge of Macedonia during his conquest of Byzantium. During this time Alexander fought a Thracian tribe, Maedi by attacking their capital town and driving out the inhabitants, creating a colony of several nations in their region, and naming the town Alexandropolis. At the age of 18 Philip placed Alexander in command of the left wing of his cavalry. In September of 338 BC during the battle of Chaeronea while being great

In 335 BC Alexander began blitz campaigns against the Triballiand Ilyrians. He then marched into Thrace and defeated the Triballi, crossed the Danube and brought the Getae and Celtic tribes under his control. Abruptly after he defeated a coaliton of Illyrians who invaded Macedonia.

In the fall of that year Hephaestion died in Ecbatana. Alexander gave Hephaestion a royal funeral in Babylon with a pyre costing 10,000 talents. He also sent out a general order that Hephaestion should be honored as a hero.

The next place Alexander met resistance was the island city of Tyre where he was refused entry and the Tyrians walled themselves in. Alexander built a land bridge, which still exists. After seven months Alexander defeated the Tyrians in a Naval battle. This victory is considered to be one of Alexander’s greatest military achievements and victories. The surviving Tyrians were sold into slavery the same way the Thebans were 5 years earlier. During this time period (333-332) the Persians were able to recapture various cities and islands. They even attempted to re-take Asia Minor but were defeated by Antigonus the ruler of Greater Phrygia, who served both Philip II and Alexander. It was also during this time that Darius sent another letter to Alexander offering 10,000 talents of gold for his family, and would cede all his lands west of the Euphrates. Parmenio (Alexander’s second in command) stated – “I would accept, were I Alexander.” Alexander retorted by stating – “I would too, were I Parmenio!”

After Alexander’s victory the only obstacle left was capturing or killing Darius. So in July 330 BC Alexander chased Darius with his fastest troops 12 days. When he caught up with him in Bactria he found him dead, killed by the satrap Bessus (Bessus had betrayed Darius in order to proclaim himself as king of Persia). Alexander captured Bessus and had him executed. Darius was given an imperial funeral with all honors as the last Persian emperor. During the next five years (330-325 BC) Alexander would march towards India engaging in many battles along the way.

Alexander continued to Phoenicia to the cities of Marathus and Aradus in an attempt to isolate the Persian fleet from its maritime bases and destroy it. The two cities offered no resistance. During this time (332 BC) Darius wrote Alexander a letter offering peace. Alexander replied that he would accept this offer if he was proclaimed as the lord of Asia.

After his death there became endless conflict on who was to be heir to the throne. After much negotiation Philip II’s illegitimate son, and Alexander’s son by Roxanne were both appointed Kings. Both Kings were murdered and there became numerous conflicts between Alexander’s Generals until his empire was finally parceled out among them with the Generals becoming known as Diadochs, and establishing their own kingdoms.

In the spring of 327 he attacked Oxyartes in the hills of Afghanistan. Oxyartes fortress was on top of the Sogdian Rock protected by vertical cliffs. Oxyartes provoked Alexander telling him to send up men with wings to come get him (he felt very secure). During the night Alexander sent 300 of his best climbers up the cliffs promising them great wealth if they succeeded. Amazingly 90% of the men made it to the top. The next morning Oxyartes surrendered with no resistance. Alexander and

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