How Did Alexander the Great Become One of History’s Greatest Conquerors?
Alexander III was born in 356 BCE in Pella, son of King Philip II and Olympias. Educated by Aristotle and battle-tested by 18 at Chaeronea, he was destined for greatness, but his path to the throne was uncertain. Tensions with his father, fuelled by a new marriage that threatened his claim, led to a brief exile before reconciliation. In 336 BCE, Philip was assassinated under mysterious circumstances, and at just 20 years old Alexander became king, beginning one of history’s most extraordinary rises to power.
“I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion.”
The Persian Campaign: Key Battles and the Fall of an Empire
The Persian Empire was the most powerful force in the known world—vast, wealthy, and seemingly unstoppable. Yet in just a few years, it was brought to its knees through bold strategy, relentless ambition, and a series of decisive victories that changed history forever.
The siege of Halicarnassus proved a serious challenge at the very beginning of Alexander's Persian campaign. The city was heavily fortified with high walls and a deep moat, defended by Greek mercenaries under Memnon of Rhodes. Initial assaults failed, but after persistent attacks, the defenders were forced to retreat. Before fleeing by sea, Memnon ordered much of the city burned. Alexander extinguished the fires, took control, and spared the inhabitants. The months-long siege offered a harsh preview of the campaigns ahead. Leaving a garrison behind, Alexander pushed deeper into Persian territory, capturing cities with little resistance and imposing heavy taxes. Around this time, a conspiracy emerged: Alexander, son of Aëropus, had allegedly offered to assassinate him. The plot was uncovered by Parmenion, and the conspirators were imprisoned. Meanwhile, Memnon campaigned in the Aegean, capturing key islands and besieging Mytilene before dying of illness. His successors continued operations, forcing Mytilene to abandon its alliance with Alexander. In response, Alexander sent a fleet that intercepted Persian forces, capturing most of their ships.
During the campaign, Alexander fell seriously ill but recovered after treatment from his physician Philip, dismissing warnings of possible poisoning. He advanced through Cilicia, capturing key cities, while his generals defeated Persian forces elsewhere. Soon after, he learned King Darius III of Persia had an army camped nearby. The two forces met on narrow terrain favorable to the Macedonians at the Battle of Issus. Despite being heavily outnumbered, Alexander launched a decisive attack on the Persian flank. Fierce fighting followed, but as Macedonian pressure mounted, Darius fled. Persian losses were immense, while Macedonian casualties were minimal. Alexander himself was only lightly wounded. Despite defeat, Darius survived, and the war continued. The city of Tyre refused entry to both sides, prompting one of the most difficult sieges of the campaign. Located on an island, Tyre was nearly impregnable. Alexander’s men built a causeway to reach it under constant attack. The balance shifted when allied fleets defected to Alexander, giving him naval dominance. With reinforcements secured, the city was breached after intense fighting. Around 8,000 were killed and 30,000 enslaved. During the siege, Darius offered peace—land, wealth, and his daughter’s hand in marriage—but Alexander refused. At Gaugamela, the decisive battle followed. Facing a vastly larger force, Alexander once again used superior tactics. As fighting intensified, Darius fled for a second time. Persian resistance collapsed, despite breakthroughs against the Macedonian flank. Alexander reinforced his lines, counterattacked, and secured victory. Macedonian losses were low, while Persian casualties were catastrophic.
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Did Alexander the Great Die of Poison? The Leading Theories Explained
The cause of Alexander’s mysterious death has sparked many debates. Historical accounts mention that, the night before he fell ill, a friend dared him to drink an entire krater of wine, raising suspicions of alcohol poisoning. However, other theories suggest alternative causes. Dr. Katherine Hall proposes that Alexander may have suffered from Guillain-Barré syndrome, a neurological disorder. Hall argues that Alexander's subtle breathing, caused by his unconscious state, led physicians to incorrectly pronounce his death. The fact that Alexander’s body didn’t decompose for six days supports this theory. If true, his death would have been agonizing, particularly during the embalming process. At just 32, Alexander died in the ancient city of Babylon, leaving behind a fractured empire. His death sparked revolts across the Macedonian realm, and his generals fought among themselves for control of the throne.
