Alexander the Great
Alexander the Great (356–323 bc) King of Macedonia (336–323 bc), considered the greatest conqueror of classical times. Son of Philip II of Macedonia and tutored by Aristotle, Alexander rapidly consolidated Macedonian power in Greece. In 334 bc, he began his destruction of the vast Achaemenid Persian Empire, conquering w Asia Minor and storming Tyre in 332 bc. He subdued Egypt and occupied Babylon, marching n in 330 bc to Media, and then conquering central Asia in 328 bc. In 327 bc, Alexander invaded India but the threat of mutiny prevented him from advancing beyond the Punjab. He died in Babylon, planning new conquests in Arabia. Although his empire did not outlive him, for he left no heir, he was chiefly responsible for the spread of Greek civilization in the Mediterranean and w Asia.
http://wso.williams.edu/~junterek
http://wso.williams.edu/~junterek
More From encyclopedia.com
NEARBY TERMS
Alexander the Great
