Alexander III, more commonly known as Alexander The Great Essay, was one of thegreatest military leaders in world history. He was born in Pella, Macedonia,then a Greek nation. The exact date of his birth is uncertain, but was probablyeither July 20 or 26, 356 B. C.
Alexander was considered a child from his birthuntil 341 B. C. His princehood lasted from 340 to 336 B. C. In 336 B. C.
Philip II,his father, was assassinated, thus making Alexander king. Alexander became amilitary leader in 335, and remained one until his death in 323 B. C. He reignedfrom 336 B.
C. until 323 B. C. , when he died. His military campaign in Persialasted from 334 to 329, and in 328 he began his campaign in India and Bactria,which lasted until 326. Alexander was only 20 years old when his father died inearly 336 B.
C. and he took over, ruling for 12 years and eight months. Alexanderwas fair skinned and fair haired. He was not very tall, but had outstandingspeed and stamina. He was a dedicated soldier, but didnt care for sports. Theonly sport he really liked was hunting.
Alexander was the eldest son of PhilipII and Olympias. Like Alexander, Philip II was a great general. Olympias andPhilip, when Philip was not away on a campaign, constantly fought. His fatherwas away often, and so much of his childhood influences came from his mother,although his father taught him many useful things about war. Because of hismothers heritage, Alexander could truthfully claim relation to two Trojan Warheroes, Achilles and, indirectly, Hector.
Philip II taught him he was descendedfrom Hercules, which was not true. The historian Callisthenes started an untruerumor that Alexander was the son of Zeus. Alexander had seven wives and a malelover. In 327 B.
C. he married Roxanne, his main wife, so to speak. Roxanne was aPersian, and by the time he married her, Alexander had total control of Persiaand was doing his campaigns in India and Bactria. Roxanne later became pregnantwith a child, but when Alexander died it had not yet been born. *center*Alexanders Childhood When Alexander was either 13 or 14(differentsources gave different ages), Alexander became the pupil of the greatphilosopher Aristotle.
Aristotle taught Alexander grammar, literature,especially Homer, politics, the natural sciences, and rhetoric(the art of usingwords well and effectively). Aristotle inspired Alexander with a love forliterature. He came to know and like the Greek styles of living. Greecesideals of civilization impressed him, and took part in sports and dailyexercises to develop a strong body.
Alexander had another teacher, Leonidas,whom was hired by Philip II to train and discipline Alexanders body. Leonidassent Alexander on frequent all night marches and rationed his food. Alexanders schooling with his two teachers continued until he was 16 yearsold. When Alexander was 16, his father went away to a military campaign. He leftAlexander temporarily in charge of his kingdom. While Philip II was away, thepeople of Thrace started a rebellion.
Alexander found out about this rebellion,and crushed it. This rather impressed Philip II, and he let Alexander settle hisfirst town, Alexandropolis. This city, as is probably quite self-evident, wasnamed for Alexander. In Greek, polis means city, so this meansAlexander city.
At this age, Alexander also had an interest in medicine. He even prescribed medicine to some of his friends. The Story of Bucephales WhenAlexander was either 11 or 12 or 14(there are differing accounts), he went withhis father and his fathers company while they went to buy a horse. After awhile, Philip saw a horse that he wanted. He soon saw that it was very mean andwild, so he decided against buying it.
When Alexander learned of this decision,he said to his father,”What a horse they are losing, and all because theydo not know how to handle it, or dare not try. ” To this Philip IIresponded,”Are you finding fault with your elders because you think youknow more than they do, or can manage a horse better?” “At least I canmanage this one better,”Alexander replied. Alexander then decided to showthe company he could calm this horse. He approached the horse and calmed it. Once the horse seemed to be calm enough, Alexander mounted it and gallopedaround the field.
The company applauds, and Philip II weeps for joy. WhenAlexander dismounted, Philip II kissed him. He told his son,”My .
