Important Facts About Alexander the Great

• Born around July 20, 356 B.C.
• Son of King Philip II of Macedon and Olympias, daughter of King Neoptolemus I of Epirus. Olympias was not the only wife of Philip and there was much conflict between Alexander's parents.
• Tutored by Leonidas (possibly his uncle) and the great Greek philosopher Aristotle.
• During his youth, Alexander tamed the wild horse Bucephalus. Later, when his beloved horse died, Alexander renamed a city in India for Bucephalus.
• In 340 B.C., while father Philip went off to fight rebels, Alexander was made regent in Macedonia. During Alexander's regency, the Maedi of northen Macedonia revolted. Alexander put down the revolt and renamed their city Alexandroupolis.
• In 336 B.C. his father Philip was assassinated, and Alexander the Great became ruler of Macedonia.
• Had several rivals executed in order to secure the throne.
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• Alexander the Great had three wives: Roxane, Statiera, and Parysatis.
• Children: Herakles, son of Alexander's mistress Barsine, and Alexander IV, son of Roxane. Both children were killed before they reached adulthood.
• One of the legends about Alexander the Great is that when he was in Gordium, in Turkey, in 333 B.C., he undid the Gordian Knot which had been tied by the legendary King Midas. The prophecy about the Gordian knot was that the person who untied it would rule all of Asia. Alexander the Great is said to have undone the knot by slashing through it wilth a sword.
• In 323 B.C. Alexander the Great returned to Babylonia where he became ill suddenly, and died at age 33. The cause of his death is unknown. It could have been disease or posion.

Further Reading:

The World of Royalty Biography of Alexander the Great - Begins with the early years of Alexander the Great and continues through his life. Site includes bibliography.