Alexander the Great

In the history of ancient Greece there is probably no more famous battle commander than Alexander the Great. Alexander the Great had a short life that was filled with campaigns, conquests, and assassinations. He was a brilliant young commander who spread Greek influence throughout the ancient world. Alexander ushered in the new age of the world and his influence out lasted his death. When Alexander died at the age of 32 his empire was divided but the changes he had brought to the world remained.

Alexander was the son of King Phillip II of Macedonia and Olympias. Olympias was one of King Phillip’s many wives. Alexander was born in the capital of Macedonia, the city Pella. King Phillip had offered his son the best education and because of this one of Alexander’s tutors was the famous philosopher, Aristotle. King Phillip was often away and because of that he and Alexander eventually grew apart when Alexander reached his teenage years. Olympias, Alexander’s mother, was even sent away from the capital at one time to the city Epirus. When King Phillip was stabbed to death at the wedding of his daughter, Cleopatra, Olympias and Alexander were suspected to be a part of the conspiracy, though this was never proved. After his death the kingship fell to Alexander. Alexander was only 20 years old when he became king and this made him seem vulnerable to his enemies. They considered him to be a child not a king. Of course this feeling did not remain after he took 35,000 troops into Asia Minor to conquer the Persians and succeeded.

Alexander’s attack on the Persians was the beginning of his eleven year campaign in which he founded many new cities across the countries of Iran, Afghanistan, and India. Many of the new cities were called Alexandri...

... middle of paper ...

...y’s era. Out of the three nations, Egypt lasted the longest before being conquered by the Romans. The last descendant of Ptolemy to rule Egypt was the queen Cleopatra, and when her forces were defeated and Egypt became a Roman province the Hellenistic age ended. The Hellenistic age was started after Alexander conquered much of the known world and spread Greek culture and language. The Hellenistic age was the classical age of Greece and it was made possible only through the conquests of Alexander the Great.

Centuries after his death Alexander the Great, is still remembered in modern culture. Not just because of his deeds, but because of the deeds he inspired in other people such as Pompey and Napoleon, two famous people who did great things in their time. Alexander has been talked and studied about for centuries and will likely continue be for many more generations