Even as a young child Alexander showed greatness by taming the horse nobody else was able to ride, Bucephalus. He later named a city after his beloved horse in India near the Hydaspes River where he died in 324 BC.

Alexander was tutored by Aristotle at the age of 13 and was a lover of the Iliad by Homer. It was during this time that he met his lifelong best friend Hephaestion. Many contribute much of Alexander's intellect to Aristotle especially his interest in science, medicine, and philosophy. At the age of 16 Philip left Alexander in charge of Macedonia during his conquest of Byzantium. During this time Alexander fought a Thracian tribe, Maedi by attacking their capital town and driving out the inhabitants, creating a colony of several nations in their region, and naming the town Alexandropolis. At the age of 18 Philip placed Alexander in command of the left wing of his cavalry. In September of 338 BC during the battle of Chaeronea while being greatly

One year later in 326 BC Alexander entered Taxila and was given troops and elephants from the King in return for his aid against the King's rival Porus. Alexander defeated and captured Porus in a very brutal battle (this would be his last great battle). Alexander befriended Porus allowed him to continue his rein in his country, and gave him an additional province as well. In that province he founded two cities. One he named Alexandria Nicaea (to celebrate his victory), and the other Bucephala after his horse who died during the battle. At the end of 324 BC Alexander stopped attempting to expand his empire.

After his death there became endless conflict on who was to be heir to the throne. After much negotiation Philip II's illegitimate son, and Alexander's son by Roxanne were both appointed Kings. Both Kings were murdered and there became numerous conflicts between Alexander's Generals until his empire was finally parceled out among them with the Generals becoming known as Diadochs, and establishing their own kingdoms.

During his many years of absence and rumors of his death, many of his appointed satraps had been overthrown or killed and his empire was weakened. Alexander then decided to go to Susa, the capital of Elam and administrative center of Persia to begin consolidating and governing his huge empire. The first thing Alexander did was to promote and encourage a policy to infuse Macedonians and Persians into one master race. Alexander led by example as well as 80 of his officers and best friend Hephaestion by taking Persian wives. Alexander married the daughter of Darius, and Hephaestion married her sister. This caused a lot of discontent among Macedonians, but Alexander was able to solve this problem by discharging his whole Army and enrolling only Persians.

In the spring of 331 BC Alexander prepared to advance into Mesopotamia, toward Babylon. It was on the plain of Gaugamela that the last big battle took place (Battle of Gaugamela). After Alexander's victory, Mazaeus (satrap of Babylon) surrendered Babylon. Shortly thereafter Alexander marched on to Persia, took the Persian Gates, marched into the capital and became the Lord of Asia. As a symbol of the war being over Alexander ceremonially burned down the palace of Xerxes (palace of former king Xerxes).

The Greeks growing weary under the rule of Macedonia and hearing rumors about Alexander's death in Illyria revolted. Due to this Alexander marched his armies 380 kilometers in 14 days ordering the Thebans to surrender. When they refused he marched into their city and destroyed it sparing only temples and the poet Pindar's house. 6,000 were killed and the survivors (30,000) were sold into slavery for 440 talents of silver. In spring of 334 BC Alexander, with an Army of 30,000 foot soldiers, and 5,000 cavalry crossed Dardanelles in his pursuit to defeat Persia. This Army is considered by many to be the most modern and advanced of it's time. There were archers, javelin men, cavalry, but the core was made up of 9,000 infantry with shields and 5.5 meter spears called sarises. Alexander left Antipater (former King Philip's friend and General) as his deputy of Europe with 13,000 troops. Alexander also named Parmenio as second in command. Alexander ran into his first Persian Army at the Granicus River in Ilium. The Persian Army tried to kill Alexander by tempting

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