The Conquests of Alexander the Great
Alexander the Great was born in Macedonia in the year 356 BC. After being taught philosophy, geography, and science by Aristotle, he joined his father's army in 340 BC, at the age of 16. He distinguished himself in the military, and after the assassination of his father in 336 B.C., Alexander the Great began to rule, at the age of 20.
After becoming king of the Macedonians, Alexander's first problem to quell were the Greeks who were rebelling against him. During the year 335 B.C. Alexander stopped the uprising and subdued the Greeks. This was also the year in which he started his campaign against the Persian Empire, who had harassed the Greeks.
In 334 B.C. Alexander departs for Asia and wins the Battle of the Granicus River against the Persians. In the year 333 B.C. Alexander wins another battle against the Persians, the Battle of Issus, and captures Tyre.
During 332 B.C. Alexander conquered Egypt, and it is believed that he founded the city of Alexandria at this time. In the year 331, Alexander wins the Battle of Gaugamela against the Persians and captures the city of Babylon.
Finally, after five years of fighting against the Persians, Alexander the Great sacks and burns the city of Persepolis, the capital of the Persian empire in 330 B.C.
Alexander crosses the Hindu Kush into northern India and wins the Battle of the Hydaspes River against King Porus in the year 329 B.C.
In the year 327 B.C., Alexander marries Roxane, a Persian princess, and begins his march back to Babylon. At the age of 32, Alexander dies, possibly due to fever or poisoning, in the year 323 B.C.
