Alexander the Great
Alexander conquered Persia and spread Greek culture.
About this topic
Alexander III of Macedon (356 to 323 BCE) became king at twenty after his father Philip II was assassinated. Tutored by Aristotle, he led a Greek and Macedonian army east and in about thirteen years conquered the Persian Empire, Egypt and lands as far as northwest India, creating one of history's largest empires. He never lost a major battle, using cavalry charges and the tight Macedonian phalanx.
Key victories were at Granicus, Issus and Gaugamela, where he defeated Darius III. In Egypt he founded Alexandria, one of many cities named for him that spread Greek culture. His soldiers finally refused to go farther at the Hyphasis River in India, and he died in Babylon in 323 BCE, probably of fever, at about thirty-two.
His generals, the Diadochi, divided the empire into kingdoms such as the Ptolemaic in Egypt and the Seleucid in Asia. The result was the Hellenistic Age, a blend of Greek and Eastern cultures, with a common Greek language and great centres of learning like the Library of Alexandria. A misconception is that Alexander built a lasting unified state; his empire broke apart quickly, but its cultural mixing was his real legacy.
Key ideas
- Student of Aristotle
- Never lost a battle
- Empire stretched to India
Quick check
Use cases: where Alexander the Great helps
- Homework: review the key idea behind Alexander the Great before you start a problem set.
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Studying the past helps explain today’s politics, borders, cultures and institutions.
Frequently asked questions
What is Alexander the Great?
Alexander conquered Persia and spread Greek culture.
What will I learn in Alexander the Great?
Student of Aristotle. Never lost a battle. Empire stretched to India.
Is Alexander the Great part of World History?
Yes. It is one of 80 World History topics on LearnViz HighSchoolEdu, with 3 key ideas, a live animation and a quick check.
Does the Alexander the Great lab work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. The animation resizes to fit your screen and supports touch, so you can drag, tap and slide with your finger.
How should I study Alexander the Great?
Read the summary and key ideas first, play with the interactive lab to see the idea in motion, then answer the quick check. If you get a question wrong, go back to the key idea it tests.
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