Alexander was born in Pella, Macedonian in 356 B.C. Aristotle began to tutor

Alexander at the age of thirteen. It was said that Alexander loved Aristotle more that he loved his father Philip. Aristotle taught Alexander Greek science and philosophy, also Alexander had a love for Greek art and poetry, and was taught to live well. Alexander as one historian put it had a goal of " brotherhood of man, a dream of peace and union between Greek and barbarian..."1 Alexander indicated that he wanted to be a man of action like his father.

Philip had a great view of uniting the Greek city-states and engaging in battle with the Persian Empire. Philip fought his way through Greece, eventually gaining allies to form the League of Corinth. All Greek city-states were members except for Sparta. Philip proposed to the Corinthian League an invasion of Persia. Before he could take action he was assasinated.

Alexander was the son of Philip and Olympias, and after the assination of his father took the throne as king. First he traveled Corinth to assure that he had succeeded his father as Commander-in-Chief of the League of Corinth. Then he traveled nort

3. Bailkey, Readings in Ancient History. Page 297

2. Bailkey, Readings in Ancient History. Page 297

Persia could not be truly conquered as long as their fleet was in the water. Alexander traveled to the Phoenician ports that were under Persian control, without a fight from the Phoenicians, they declared neutrality. The Macedonians under Alexander took over the port of Tyre, during the siege Darius sent letters with an offer of peace, but Alexander ignored them.

Egyptians welcomed Alexander and the Persian surrendered without battle. Alexander put Egyptian Governors in control instead of the Persian satrap and left troops to watch the cities. While moving through the Fertile Crescent at the city of Gaugmela again met the army of Darius, they engaged in fierce fighting. Many of Alexander's troops were killed, but the Macedonian's were victorious. They then moved on to Babylon were Alexander was made king, and toward Susa the administrative capital of the Persian Empire. At this point Alexander began to reconcile the people of his vast empire. He started to wear Persian costumes and he freed Darius' family as a demonstration of his respect for Persian culture. In the city of Persepolis Alexander and his troops set fire to the palace where Xerxes used to live. After pursuing Darius

between China and Arabia Darius was killed by Bessus the satrap of Bactria.

moved along the coast he freed Ephesus an Ionian city-state from Persian rule, and modeled their government after Athens democracy instead of the Persian oligarchies. Alexander moved to Syria wher

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