Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great (356 BC - 323 BC) was a ruler of the kingdom of Macedon; he is most famous for conquering the Persian empire.

Biography

Childhood and youth

Alexander (Alexandros, "defender") was the eldest legitimate son of Phillip II of Macedon and Olympias. He was born in Pella or in Aigai (modern Vergina). The union between his parents also produced a daughter, Cleopatra, born two years after Alexander.

Alexander's mother was a princess from Epirus, a region of northwestern Greece. Ancient sources describe Olympias as a temperamental woman and a follower of the cult of Dionysus, the Greek god of wine. She was said to master snakes and used them to terrify her ennemies. Alexander remained very close to his mother during his life. When he left Macedonia for his expedition in Asia, Olympias worked to secure his position as king and the two exchanged letters.

The writings of Plutarch contain some legends regarding Alexander’s childhood who aim to illustrate his precocity, courage and intelligence. When Alexander was about 9 his father bought a stallion named Bucephalus (Boukephalus, "ox head") that nobody could tame. Alexander asked his father to allow him to try to tame the horse; Philip agreed and Alexander promissed that if he failed he would pay its price. He noted that the horse was scared by its own shadow, so he turned him round to face the sun. By doing this he managed to pacify the animal and mount him. Bucephalus became Alexander’s war-horse and accompanied Alexander to India where Bucephalus died. In his honor Alexander gave the name “Bucephala” to a city.

Alexander received an excelent education, as Phillip hired the best teachers for the young prince, including Aristotle who he brought from Greece to Macedonia. Aristotle taught at the Sanctuary of the Nymphs, an Mieza, a place known for its natural beauty. He was tutored by Aristotle for three years, from the age of 13 to 16.

Alexander was raised as a prince and a possible successor to the throne. In 340 BC, while his father was engaged in the seige of Byzantium, Alexander, age 16, was left as a regent of the kingdom and even took part in a short military campaign and some diplomatic negotiations.

The good relationship between Alexander and his father was short-lived. The dispute erupted because of a marriage between Phillip and Cleopatra, daughter of a Macedonian noble and a niece of Attalos, one of Phillip's generals. In ancient Macedonia polygamy was allowed, but Alexander, who was very attached to his mother, felt her position was being demolished and his own hopes of succeeding his father were fading away. During the wedding feast Attalos made a toast in which he asked the gods to grant a child to Phillip and Cleopatra that could become a legitimate ruler of Macedonia. Irritated by this, Alexander threw a glass of wine in Attalo's face. Philip reacted by trying to attack his son with a sword, but since he was too drunk he tripped. After this episode, Olympias and Alexander were banished from the court (Olympas left for Epirus and Alexander to Illyria).