Remembering Alexander the Great: The warrior-king who never ages
A few quick facts about the greatest military tactician and fierce conqueror of all times, Alexander the Great on his birthday.
On this day in 356 BC, Alexander the Great was born in the Macedonian city of Pella to King Philip II and Queen Olympia. A quick run through the life of the Greek, who died fairly young for a man who conquered most of the known world. (Photo | findingDulc
Young Alexander was tutored by Aristotle, who was the promising apprentice of Plato at that time. However, another thinker called Diogenes was said to be his favourite. The King is believed to have said that if he wasn’t Alexander, he would have been Diogenes. (Photo | The Second Achilles)
Alexander is often referred as the 'Second Achilles'- the hero from Greek mythology who is well known for his fierce fighting and military genius. This comparison of the King with the protagonist of Homer's 'Iliad' is believed to be the root of many superhuman myths about him. (Photos | briankoberlein.com/ porlacalledealcala.blogspot.in)
Alexander's relationship with his father soared following King Philip's decision to marry Cleopatra. However, the young prince acted fast to confirm his path to the throne by eliminating all possible rivals including his step-brother and cousins. (Photo | greekerthanthegreeks.bolgspot)
In his conquest that lasted 13 years, he never lost a single battle. With around 43,000 infantry and 5,500 cavalry under his command, he attacked many parts of Asia and Europe, looting and burning many cities. (Photo | alexanderstomb.com)
Alexander the Great was the King of Macedonia, Emperor of Asia, Pharaoh of Egypt and King of Asia at the same time. He found 70 cities throughout the conquered lands, naming 20 after himself, and one after his dear stallion - Bucephalus. (Photo | posterlounge)
Alexander is also attributed with mastering the unique Macedonian battle technique known as the phalanx. His soldiers would attack in a formation of 8 to 32 men – each of them wielding a 12 to 18 feet Cornelian wood spear. The technique was instrumental in his conquest of Persia, where the sword-yielding Persian armies were repelled wave after wave. (Photo | historicmysteries.com)
Alexander fell ill in 323 BC under mysterious circumstances. Two weeks later, he died in the palace of Nebuchadnezzar II in Babylon, aged just 32. His widow Roxanne and their only child Alexander IV were murdered later by his general Antipater’s son Cassander. (Photo | Coins of Time)
Alexander the Great's body was transported to Macedonia, and to Egypt later. His body was immersed in honey to avoid decay, under the supervision of Egyptian embalmers. His body was used a mere instrument by his former general Ptolemy, to establish himself as the rightful follower of the great king. (Photo | porlacalledealcala)
