Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great

A Great Leader Nearly 2, 300 years ago, there lived a powerful leader named Alexander the Great. Alexander was the king of Macedonia, which was part of ancient Greece. Alexander set out with his armies to explore and claim new lands. He ended up with a great empire.

Preparing to Be King Alexander was born in 356 BC. Alexander's father, Philip II, was king of Macedonia before Alexander. With the support of a powerful army, Philip kept Macedonia and most of the surrounding Greek city-states under his control. Alexander's mother, Olympias, firmly wanted her son to be king of Macedonia one day. Alexander wanted to be a powerful leader.

Alexander's strengths became clear at an early age. When he was twelve years old, Philip decided not to buy a horse because it was too nervous. Alexander noticed that the horse was frightened by its own shadow. By turning the horse's head away from its shadow, he was able to calm the horse. Alexander then rode his new horse, whose name was Bucephalus, with ease. Bucephalus and Alexander would be together for life.

When Alexander was growing up, his father was often away. Philip relied on special teachers to prepare his son to be king. Young men of Greece had to learn to hunt, ride horses, and fight with swords, javelins, and bows. Alexander and his friends needed to learn these skills to survive in battle. Philip asked Aristotle--a very wise man--to teach Alexander science, history, and other subjects. Aristotle was respected for his intelligence. He also helped Alexander appreciate art and culture.

As he grew older, Alexander took on more responsibilities, including leading soldiers in battle. Alexander was raised to be the next king. However, in 337 Bc, Philip married a woman who was born in Macedonia. Olympias was not a Macedonian. If Philip had a baby with his new wife, the child would be first in line to become king instead of Alexander. In 336 Bc, Philip's new wife had a baby girl. In the same year, a man killed Philip. The new baby was too young to take the throne, and after Philip's death, Alexander became king.