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Alexander the Great
(356-323 BC)
Alexander the Great was the king of Macedonia or Ancient
Greece. He is consideredbe to one of the greatest military
commanders in history.
Alexander was born in 356 BC, the son of King Philip II.
Philip II had built up a strong and united empire in Ancient
Greece, which Alexander inherited. Like most children in
Athens, Alexander was tutored as a child and learned
mathematics, reading, writing, and how to play the lyre.
Also he would have been trained how to fight, ride a horse,
and hunt.
When Alexander was thirteen, his father Philip II wanted
the best teacher possible for him so he hired the great
philosopher Aristotle. At school Alexander met many of his
friends and future generals. He also enjoyed reading the
stories and poems of Homer.
After becoming king and getting all of Greece under his
control, Alexander turned east to conquer more of the
civilized world. He moved swiftly using his military genius
and never lost a single battle. His army conquered many
peoples and rapidly expanded the Greek empire. He
captured many countries including Turkey, Syria and Egypt
and even prepared to conquer India.
However at this point, his soldiers were ready to revolt.
They wanted to return home to see their wives and
children. Alexander agreed and turned his army back.
Unfortunately, he only made it back to Babylon where
he became suddenly sick and died. No one is sure what
he died from, but many suspect that he was poisoned.