People & Power

Alexander The Great

By: Tan Sri Son | 28/05/2025

Alexander the Great – Conqueror of the Known World

Alexander III of Macedon, better known as Alexander the Great, is one of history’s most legendary figures. Born in 356 BCE in the ancient city of Pella, he became king of Macedonia at just 20 years old and went on to create one of the largest empires the world had ever seen. His reign, though short, reshaped political borders, spread Greek culture far beyond its origins, and left a legacy that endures more than two millennia later.

Early Life and Education

Alexander was the son of King Philip II of Macedon and Queen Olympias. From an early age, he displayed remarkable intelligence, ambition, and leadership skills. His father hired none other than Aristotle as his tutor, giving the young prince an education in philosophy, science, literature, and politics. This grounding not only sharpened his mind but also instilled in him a love of learning and a curiosity about the world—a curiosity that would fuel his campaigns.

Becoming King

In 336 BCE, after the assassination of Philip II, Alexander ascended the throne. Almost immediately, he faced revolts from neighboring regions. Demonstrating both decisiveness and military brilliance, he quelled uprisings in Greece and reasserted Macedonian dominance. With his homeland secure, he set his sights on his father’s dream: the conquest of the Persian Empire.

Military Campaigns and Conquests

Over the next decade, Alexander embarked on an extraordinary series of campaigns. He defeated the Persian King Darius III in battles such as Granicus (334 BCE), Issus (333 BCE), and Gaugamela (331 BCE). These victories allowed him to take control of Asia Minor, Egypt, Mesopotamia, and eventually the heart of Persia itself.

In Egypt, he founded the city of Alexandria, which would become a major center of learning and trade. Continuing east, he pushed into Central Asia and even reached the Indian subcontinent, winning the Battle of the Hydaspes against King Porus in 326 BCE. His empire stretched from Greece to the Indus River, covering parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia—a realm unprecedented in size for its time.

Leadership and Legacy

Alexander’s success was not solely due to military strength. He was a master strategist who inspired loyalty in his troops, often fighting alongside them and sharing in their hardships. He also embraced a policy of cultural blending, encouraging marriages between his soldiers and local women, adopting elements of Persian dress and customs, and founding cities that combined Greek and local traditions.

This policy of Hellenization spread Greek language, art, and ideas throughout his empire, influencing regions for centuries to come. However, his relentless ambition also took a toll—his soldiers grew weary of endless campaigning, and tensions arose between Macedonian and non-Macedonian subjects.

Death and the Fragmentation of an Empire

In 323 BCE, at the age of just 32, Alexander died in the city of Babylon, possibly from fever, poisoning, or other illness—historians still debate the cause. Without a clear successor, his vast empire quickly fractured into smaller kingdoms ruled by his generals, known as the Diadochi.

Why He Remains “The Great”

Although his empire did not survive intact, Alexander’s influence endured. He opened trade routes, connected distant civilizations, and left behind cities that became centers of culture and scholarship. His life demonstrated the heights of ambition and the transformative power of leadership, earning him a place among history’s most studied and admired figures.

In the end, Alexander the Great’s legacy lies not only in the land he conquered but in the cultural bridges he built—bridges that shaped the ancient world and continue to echo through history.

Coming Soon

We're on a mission ...........................