Alexander

Alexander (356-323 BC), also known as Alexander the Great, was king of Macedon. He ruled the country during 336-323 BC. He was son of Philip II by Olympias, daughter of Neoptolemus, king of Epirus, born at Pella in 356 BC. He had the philosopher Aristotle for tutor, and being instructed by him in all kinds of serviceable knowledge, ascended the throne at the age of 20, on the death of his father.

This ruler of Macedonia had a dream of conquering the world and therefore he went on invading countries one after the other. After subduing Greece, had himself proclaimed generalissimo of the Greeks against the Persians, and in 2 years after his accession crossed the Hellespont, followed by 30,000 foot and 5000 horse; with these conquered the army of Darius the Persian at Granicus in 334 and at Issus in 333. He subdued the principal cities of Syria, overran Egypt, and crossing the Euphrates and Tigris, routed the Persians at Arbela. Hurrying on farther, he swept everything before him, till the Macedonians refusing to advance. He invaded India in 327 BC, but soon after compelled to return. He returned to Babylon, when he suddenly fell ill of fever, and in eleven days died at the early age of 32.

He actually conquered only Persia, Syria, Egypt, Mesopotamia, Bactria, and certain portion of the Punjab.

Having conquered Egypt, he founded there a city called Alexandria.

He is said to have slept every night with his Homer and his sword under his pillow, and the inspiring idea of his life, all unconsciously to himself belike, is defined to have been the right of Greek intelligence to override and rule the merely glittering barbarity of the East.