TLDR - Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great, born in 356 BCE in Pella, the ancient capital of Macedon, left an indelible mark on history as one of the most accomplished military leaders. His father, King Philip II, was a brilliant strategist who unified the Greek city-states under Macedonian rule, establishing a powerful kingdom. His mother, Olympias, was a deeply religious and ambitious woman, nurturing in Alexander a sense of purpose and divine destiny from an early age.

Growing up in a royal household, Alexander received an education fit for a future king. The famed philosopher Aristotle was his tutor, guiding the young prince through the realms of philosophy, science, and literature. This intellectual foundation shaped Alexander’s broad outlook on leadership and governance, yet his real passion was warfare and conquest—a pursuit that was evident from his teenage years.

At 16, while his father was campaigning, Alexander managed to suppress a rebellion in Thrace, showcasing his early talent for command. Two years later, at the Battle of Chaeronea in 338 BCE, Alexander fought beside his father and played a pivotal role in defeating a coalition of Greek states, securing Macedonian dominance. This victory further cemented his reputation as a skilled warrior and tactician.

In 336 BCE, when King Philip II was assassinated, Alexander, then 20, took the throne. Faced with immediate uprisings and internal plots, he acted swiftly, consolidating his power by executing conspirators and quelling rebellions throughout Greece. With his authority solidified, Alexander turned to fulfilling his father's long-held dream: the conquest of the Persian Empire.

In 334 BCE, Alexander embarked on his historic campaign, crossing the Hellespont with an army of 35,000 men. His first victory at the Granicus River opened the door to Asia Minor. In 333 BCE, he faced Darius III, the Persian king, at the Battle of Issus. Despite being vastly outnumbered, Alexander’s tactical brilliance led to a decisive victory, forcing Darius to flee.

How did Alexander win his battle against Darius III?
Alexander won the Battle of Issus for three main reasons:

Phalanx Formation

Superior Tactics: He employed effective formations, such as the phalanx, to maximize the strength of his troops and disrupt the enemy lines.

Terrain Advantage

Terrain Advantage: The narrow battlefield limited Darius III's ability to fully utilize his larger forces, allowing Alexander to exploit his superior maneuverability.

Cavalry Charges

Cavalry Charges: Alexander's cavalry, led by himself, executed decisive flanking maneuvers that caused confusion and panic in the Persian ranks, ultimately forcing Darius to flee.

Continuing his eastward advance, Alexander seized the strategic cities of Tyre and Gaza before marching into Egypt in 332 BCE, where he was greeted as a liberator. There, he founded the city of Alexandria, which would later become a renowned center of culture and learning. The Egyptians declared him pharaoh, reinforcing his belief in his own divinity.

In 331 BCE, Alexander faced Darius for the last time at the Battle of Gaugamela, where he crushed the Persian army, effectively ending the empire. With Darius dead and the Persian territories under his control, Alexander pushed further into Central Asia and India.

In 326 BCE, he fought the Battle of the Hydaspes against King Porus in India (Alexander the Great was 26 years old). Though victorious, his weary troops, having marched for years, refused to go further. Begrudgingly, Alexander respected his troops' fatigue and reluctance, and began the return journey to Babylon, but he was far from finished. He planned additional campaigns, including an invasion of Arabia. However, in 323 BCE, at just 32 years old, Alexander fell ill and died in Babylon, leaving his empire without a designated successor.

How did Alexander fell ill?
The exact cause of Alexander's illness remains uncertain, but several theories suggest potential reasons for his sudden decline. Possible explanations include:

1. Malaria or Typhoid Fever: Some historians believe he may have contracted a fever from infections like malaria or typhoid, common in ancient Babylon.
2. Poisoning: There are theories that Alexander was poisoned, either through food or drink, but this is debated among historians due to the length of his illness.
3. Autoimmune Disorder: Some modern medical analyses suggest he may have suffered from an autoimmune disorder or another health issue exacerbated by his lifestyle, including stress, heavy drinking, and exhaustion from constant campaigning.

Alexander’s death triggered a power struggle among his generals, known as the Diadochi, who eventually divided his empire into various Hellenistic kingdoms. Despite the fragmentation, Alexander the Great left a profound legacy. His conquests spread Greek culture throughout the known world, influencing art, governance, and thought for centuries to come. His name became synonymous with ambition, leadership, and unmatched military genius, forever altering the course of history.