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Alexander the Great: Quick Facts

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Facts

Also Known As Alexander III • Alexander of Macedonia
Born 356 BCE • Pella
Died June 13, 323 BCE • Babylon
Title / Office king (336BC-323BC), Macedonia
House / Dynasty Argead dynasty
Notable Family Members spouse Roxana • father Philip II • mother Olympias
Role In Battle of Gaugamela • Battle of Issus • Battle of the Granicus • Battle of the Hydaspes • Siege of Aornos

Did You Know?

  • After conquering cities, Alexander the Great would name them after himself.

Photos and Videos

Detail from Charles Le Brun's painting showing Alexander the Great in profile, wearing a gold helmet with white plumes and a blue cloak, with soldiers in the background.
Ancient mosaic detail showing Alexander the Great in armor riding his horse Bucephalus at the Battle of Issus, with another soldier visible behind him.
Battle of Issus
Map showing the empire of Alexander the Great at its greatest extent, shaded in yellow, stretching from Greece and Egypt in the west through Asia Minor, Mesopotamia, Persia, and reaching as far east as the Indus River in India. Red arrows trace Alexander's campaign routes, with crossed swords marking major battles along his path. Major regions, cities, and rivers are labeled for context.
Alexander the Great
Alexander the Great
Herāt, Afghanistan: ancient citadel
Marble bust of Alexander the Great with wavy hair and idealized features, shown from below the shoulders up, displayed at the British Museum in London.
Alexander the Great
Alexander the Great
Why did people think Alexander the Great was a god?
Alexander the Great
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