Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great (356-323 BC), emperor, b. Macedonia.

Alexander became a king at the age of twenty.

His father, Philip, was king of all Greece except Sparta, and Alexander made up his mind to build up an empire.

He defeated Darius III, ruler of the Persian Empire, at the famous battle of Issus (Syria) and he conquered Egypt. Then he marched with his armies as far as the plains of India.

Alexander ruled his great empire with wisdom. He did not try to change the way people lived in the countries he conquered and he married a Persian princess.

He founded about seventy cities including Alexandria in Egypt.

He died of fever in Babylon when he was only thirty-three. As he lay in bed, soldiers from his army came in one by one and saluted him.

You will read many stories about Alexander's bravery, his wisdom, and his love for his horse, Bucephalus.

He left no son to succeed him and his great empire broke up after his death.

See JOHN GUNTHER Alexander the Great. NAOMI MITCHISON Alexander the Great. L. DU GARDE PEACH Alexander the Great