The Biography of Alexander The Great: Early Life, King of Macedon, Conquest of the Persian Empire, Death and Legacy

By Robert Izzo

Destined for greatness, Alexander the Great demonstrated leadership qualities at an early age. Born in Macedonia, the country was undergoing turmoil with opposing ideologies emerging. The boy was thrust at the forefront of war at the age of 16 by his father. He led an army and defeated Thebes. He was instilled to believe that his existence in the world was of divine origin. Alexander the Great had conquered the known world by the age of 32.

 

He was led by a vision to expand his empire beyond what was ever imagined. The context of life was largely defined by his education through military and intellectual training. Owing to his teacher, Aristotle, he developed a sense of wisdom and brought the concept of civilization and his values to every territory that he captured.

 

A loyal individual, he always had by his side his horse Bucephalus whom he acquired in his early teens and his childhood friend Hephaestion. You are invited to know and learn about one of the greatest military commanders that ever lived.

 

Here's a preview of what you'll discover in this book:

 

• Alexander the Great's early childhood, family, and education
• His military and intellectual training that defined him
• The king's decision for Alexander to lead at the battle
• The beginning of his global conquests
• His expansion eastward from Persia to India
• His initiatives in bringing civilization to his captured territories
• How Alexander the Great died
• The legacy he left behind
• ….. And much more!

 

This unique book will help you understand the complexities that made Alexander the Great a supreme leader, an undefeated military commander, and an almost mythical figure.

• Language: English
• Publisher: MG Publishing
• Release date: Dec 22, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393880233

Book preview

THE BIOGRAPHY OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT

Early Life, King of Macedon, Conquest of the Persian Empire, Death and Legacy

Robert Izzo

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

Part One: The Origins of Alexander the Great

Philip II of Macedon

The Relationship Between Alexander and Philip

The Princess Olympias of Epirus

The Relationship Between Alexander and Olympias

Familial Ties

Part Two: Alexander’s Childhood

The Birth and Infancy of Alexander the Great

Alexander’s Precociousness

The Acquisition of the Great Bucephalus

Alexander’s Tutors

Alexander and Aristotle

Alexander’s Claims to Deities

Alexander’s Childhood Friendships

Wrapping Up Alexander’s Childhood

Part Three: Pseudo King at Sixteen, Learning from His Father

Battle of Chaeronea

A Family in Pieces

Reconciliation

Part Four: Philip’s Death and Alexander’s Ascension

Philip is Murdered

Alexander’s Ascension

Part Five: The Persian Wars

Granicus

Issus

The Battle of Gaugamela

What Happened Between the Large Battles?

Personal Issues to Arise During This Time

The Indian Campaign

The Battle of the Hydaspes

Mutiny

Return to Persia

The Death of Hephaestion

Part Six: Science, Exploration, Religion, and the Arts

Alexandrian Library and Museum

Exploration

Religion

Zoology and Botany

Love of Books

Art

Part Seven: Love Life and Children

Roxana

Stateira II

Parysatis II

Children

Other Various Connections

Part Eight: The Death of Alexander the Great

Part Nine: Succession Wars

Rebellion

Who Was Left

The First Succession War

The Second Succession War

The Third Succession War

The Fourth Succession War- Babylonian War

The Fifth and Final Succession War

Syrian Wars and Various Struggles for Macedonia and Greece

Conclusion

In Summary

Introduction

You shall, I question not, find a way to the top if you diligently seek for it; for nature hath placed nothing so high that it is out of the reach of industry and valor.

-Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great, also known as Alexander III or Alexander of Macedonia, was one of the greatest rulers of all time. He was an intellect, a fair and kind ruler, and a ruthless warmonger. Although he is most remembered as a conqueror, history shows he was highly educated and cared a great deal about learning all he could from the cultures of the people he defeated. He was taught by the likes of Aristotle, who instilled in him a deep love of medicine, philosophy, and science, and Leonidas who taught him to fight and have concrete discipline.

Alexander was born to Philip II of Macedon and Olympias of Epirus in 356 BCE at Pella in Macedonia. It was said that the day he was born, a great star shone over Macedonia. It was also the same day that the temple of Diana at Ephesus was burnt down while the High Priestess had been attending his birth. This foretold his greatness and importance in history. His mother told him she was impregnated by Zeus himself with a lightning bolt to her belly, and others compared him to heroes and demigods, such as Hercules and Dionysus.

Philip had said of the day he got confirmation of Alexander’s birth that he received the great news that one of his commanders, Parmenio, had won an important battle against the Illyrians. His favorite racehorse had won at the Olympic Games in Athens as well. Those three events combined led him to believe that Alexander’s birth would foretell great fortune. He was told by a soothsayer that his son would bring great glory to his people, and it seems that Philip believed that.

Philip II of Macedon was a conqueror and great king in his own right. When he came into power, Macedonia was small and had a weak army and a poor economy. The surrounding countries considered it nothing more than a source for building materials and pastures. Philip came into power and built Macedonia into one of, if not the most, formidable countries in the region. He raised Alexander to be educated and brave. Alexander regarded him as one of the most influential people in his life and credited him with teaching him the art of war. They were not always on the best of terms, but there is no denying that the late King Philip had a deep impact on the young Alexander.

Olympias, who was given the name Myrtle at birth, was said to be a beautiful woman with a fiery temper. Although Alexander greatly admired his father, his mother was the most important figure in Alexander’s life. She was the driving force behind Alexander’s success. She taught him from a young age that he was destined for greatness. Her stories of being impregnated by Zeus, along with claiming to be a descendant of Achilles, drove Alexander to do all he could to live up to the ideal image of a man born of the gods. She lived and died to see to it that her son would not only become the next king but that he would become the greatest king. Most people would agree that she absolutely succeeded.

Hard proof is hard to come by when recounting the stories of Alexander in his youth, but what is known paints him a headstrong and precocious child. There was said to be chaos the night he was born, which would portend his life. There are stories of him asking prying questions of visiting politicians and trying to decipher the defenses of neighboring countries at only six to seven years old. There have also been stories of him recounting to his friends how he directly descends from the gods and would someday rule the world. He compared himself to Achilles and Heracles, also known as Hercules, and he would tell everyone how one day he would be a great conqueror like his father.

One story that has always stood out to the world is the story of how he tamed a great stallion. As the story goes, when the beautiful black horse was led into the arena, he was wild and thrashing about. Alexander jeered the handlers and took the reins for himself. Everyone had been laughing, and some even feared for the young prince’s life. He had figured out exactly why the horse was being so unwieldy, and so was able to use his intelligent mind to find a solution. He mounted the horse, who he named Bucephalus, and road out of the arena. He came back to cheers and praise from all those in attendance, including his father. That day was a turning point in a young Alexander’s life. Bucephalus carried Alexander throughout most of his life, including through long journeys, battles, and campaigning in foreign lands.

The prince was tutored by the best minds of his time. His mother’s relative, Leonidas of Epirus, was tasked with teaching Alexander how to ride and fight. Lysimachus of Acarnania taught him how to read and write, along with how to play the lyre. His teachers were not easy on him. Leonidas was tough on the boy, often forcing him to march at night and begrudging him any luxury. Not much was said for Lysimachus, but that he was a man of little accomplishment and full of flattery.

Of all his teachers, Aristotle was, by far, the most influential. If Alexander was known to have a love for culture and the arts it was because of Aristotle who tutored the young prince for three years starting at the age of fourteen. Alexander insisted on learning the customs of the places he conquered. He was also known to bring scientists of differing specialties with him on his expeditions, so along with conquering and trading, he could learn. Aristotle introduced Alexander to Homer’s The Iliad, which he carried with him all his life. He kept it right under his pillow and claimed it one of his most important possessions.

Alexander had many friends, but his three closest companions were said to be Ptolemy, Hephaestion, and Callisthenes. Alexander brought these men with him on all his expeditions. Hephaestion and Ptolemy were his advisors and personal guards. Callisthenes, who was the nephew of the great Aristotle, was brought along as a historian. There are many things said about Alexander and his various arguments and rivalries, but these three men were a large factor in Alexander becoming the man he was. They drank together, ate together, and studied together. Then they went to war together.

Once Alexander was older, and Philip went off to war again, he was left in charge. This was the time in which the young king regent started to prove himself to his father, and to his kingdom, that he would be a man to be reckoned with. His first test, the Battle of Chaeronea in 338 BCE, proved to his father and to his people that he had followed in his father’s footsteps and would be a powerful ruler and warrior. He followed this up with being an integral part of defeating the Sacred Band of Thebes. This solidified his reputation with the public, which would come in handy later.

At one point, Philip decided to marry another woman and deny Alexander as his son. Olympias and Alexander were banished, although Alexander later returned to his father. For a time, it was no longer assumed that Alexander would become king. Philip had publicly denied his paternity, and his new wife wanted to bear a son so that her child could become the next great king. After a time, Alexander and Philip reconciled, but there are still rumors afloat that Alexander’s mother, Olympias, was a party to the death of Philip before another heir could be born.

Philip’s death shook the nation. When Alexander ascended to the throne there were uprisings and critics all across the empire. Alexander was quick to destroy his detractors and his rivals to the throne. He solidified his hold and brought his mother back from Epirus. It did not take Alexander long to gain a solid hold on his kingdom. Once he was able to reunify the League of Corinth, the empire was brought back to stability.

Once his position was solidified, Alexander endeavored to continue in his father’s footsteps of expanding his empire. He started marching and would continue for the rest