Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great ascended to the throne of Macedonia after his father was assassinated in 336 BC. He was only 20 years old at the time. Upon obtaining the throne, he had killed anyone who would possibly have a claim to the kingship. By force of arms, he gained control of the Corinthian League. He was then given authority to attack Persia. He defeated the Persian King Darius III in 334 BC.

Crossing into Asia Minor, Alexander cut the Gordian Knot, lending to the belief that he would rule Asia. The next year he again met and defeated Darius, whose offer of a truce was declined. Alexander then pushed into Egypt. Even though Alexander came as a conqueror, he always respected local customs, and religions. He was hailed as a god in Egypt and became its pharaoh, establishing the city of Alexandria.

He turned East in 331 BC, defeating the Persians and becoming the King of Persia. Darius was assassinated by his own people. Next, he went to Iran, where he married the princess Rhoxana. This was a politically motivated move. Then he moved on to northern India, where he gained the allegiance of defeated King Porus.

Alexander, much to the displeasure of his fellow Macedonians, incorporated 30,000 Persian troops into his army. He also forced 80 of his companions to marry Persian princesses. Even though he was married to Rhoxana, he also married the daughter of Darius, Stateira.

His death at the age of 32 halted the plans to expand his empire. There is controversy as to that the cause of his death was. It may have been by natural causes, or he may have been poisoned. The empire split apart after Alexander the Great was gone, but the mixture of the Greek and Persian cultures prospered.