Topic > Alexander the Great: Life, Empire, and Legacy

The legend of the Gordian Knot stated that whoever could untie the knot would be destined to rule the world. Alexander drew his sword and cut the knot in two, freeing it. Alexander's destiny would come true. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Alexander was born on July 20, 356 BC to parents Phillip and Olympians. Philip was the king of Macedonia, and Alexander would one day rule his father's kingdom. Alexander received his first teacher when he was seven years old. The tutor was Leonidos, a very strict disciplinarian. When Alexander was thirteen he got a new guardian. The tutor was a very wise man called Aristotle. When Aristotle was Alexander's tutor, he taught him philosophy, ethics, politics, and healing. He also instilled a love of Greek literature and a sense of scientific method and logic. Also at the age of thirteen he received his first horse called Bucephalas. Three years later Alexander fought in his first battle in Macedonia. Alexander's parents were also no longer separated at this point. When Alexander was twenty-one, his father was murdered. Alexander became king of Macedonia. He became Alexander III, king of Macedonia. Alexander had his father's creative fighting strength, and the army was well prepared thanks to Phillip. Alexander's first duty as king was to drive the barbarians out of Thebes and Athens. Having done this, he probably gave Alexander a taste of glory. Alexander began his conquest. He led a Phanhellenic invasion of the Persian Empire to eliminate tyranny and oppression. Alexander sought revenge on Persia for his raid on Greece in 490 BCE. He and his army conquered lands outside the Persian Empire. In 334 BC Alexander crossed the Hellesport with his army entering Asia Minor. He landed on the shores of Troy like his hero Achilles. It then crossed the Granicus River near the Aegean coast. He and his army met Darius, king of Persia. The Persians and the Macedonian army fought. Alexander was victorious. The Macedonian army then marched across Ionia to liberate the Greek cities from Persian rule. Spring of November 333 BCE Alexander and his army fought against Darius and the Persian army at the mountain pass of Issus. Once again Alexander and his men were victorious, but Darius had escaped. Alexander then entered Damascus and captured the war cheat of Darius and his family. Alexander continued his conquest and conquered all the cities along the Phoenician coast. It took seventeen months to capture Tyre, but the Tyrians finally surrendered. In 331 he left Egypt to pursue Darius. In doing so he conquered the lands between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Alexander eventually located the Persian army on the plains of Guagamela. Once again he conquered the Persian army but Darius managed to escape. After this battle Alexander was made king of Asia. Next it was 331 BC and Alexander and his army traveled along the Phoenician coast. He was welcomed favorably by the people and a city was named after him. He then traveled across the river to visit the oracle of Zeus Ammon. Alexander was told that he would be the ruler of the world. During this stay in Egypt they named him Pharaoh. Alexander continued and conquered Babylon and Susa. The now large Macedonian army fought its way to Persepolis, the capital of the Persian Empire. Alexander stayed several months and rested his army. His army then burned the royal palace. In 330 BC there was a plot to assassinate Alexander. Alexander tortured and executed his friend Pilotas because he was accused of being.