356–323 BC
Alexander the Great
“He never stopped riding.”
356–336 BC
The Young Prince
Born in Pella, Macedonia. As a boy he tamed the wild horse Bucephalus by turning its head to the sun so it couldn't see its own shadow. Taught by Aristotle, he became king at 20 when his father was murdered.
“Macedonia is too small for you.”
(his father, as told by Plutarch)
334–333 BC
The War Begins
At 22 he crossed into Asia with about 35,000 men to take on the Persian Empire. He won at the Granicus river, cut the Gordian knot, and at Issus the Persian king Darius ran from him.
“Whoever undoes the knot will rule Asia.”
332–330 BC
Conquering an Empire
He built a road across the sea to take the island city of Tyre, founded Alexandria in Egypt, and beat Darius again at Gaugamela. At 25 he was King of Asia.
“King of Asia.”
329–325 BC
To the Edge of the World
He pushed through Central Asia into India and beat King Porus and his war elephants at the Hydaspes river, where his horse Bucephalus died. He wanted to go on, but his exhausted army refused, so he turned back.
“He only stopped because his men did.”
323 BC → Today
323 BC to Today
He died in Babylon in 323 BC, aged 32, still planning his next campaign.
“Gone at 32. Remembered ever since.”
2,300+ years later
Why He's Still Famous
Alexander the Great is still famous for his persistence. He went all in, he never wanted to quit, and he had the ambition to conquer the world. He didn't settle for less.
“Never settle.”
Alexander III of Macedon · 356–323 BC