# Alexander the Great > king of Macedonia and conqueror of Achaemenid Persia (356–323 BC) **Wikidata**: [Q8409](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q8409) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_the_Great) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/alexander-the-great ## Summary Alexander the Great was the king of Macedonia and conqueror of the Achaemenid Persia, living from 356 to 323 BC. Serving as a military leader, monarch, and politician, he led the Wars of Alexander the Great against the Persian Empire and various powers ranging from Greece to India. His legacy is defined by the founding of numerous cities named after him, such as Alexandria in Egypt, and his enduring influence on geography and culture. ## Biography - **Born:** July 20, 356 BC - **Nationality:** Macedonian - **Education:** Influenced by Aristotle - **Known for:** Conquering Achaemenid Persia and founding multiple cities - **Employer(s):** Kingdom of Macedonia - **Field(s):** Military leadership, politics, monarchy ## Contributions Alexander the Great is responsible for the founding of numerous cities across Asia and Africa, often bearing his name or variants of it. Key foundations include: * **Alexandropolis Maedica (340 BC):** The first town founded by Alexander. * **Alexandria Eschate (August 329 BCE):** Established at the south-western end of the Fergana Valley in modern Tajikistan. * **Alexandria Bucephalous (May 326 BC):** Founded in Pakistan. * **Alexandria (33 BC):** A major port city founded on the Mediterranean coast of Egypt. * **Alexandria Prophthasia:** An ancient city located in the Drangiana Satrapy (modern-day Afghanistan). * **Alexandria Arachosia:** The site of modern-day Kandahar, Afghanistan. * **Alexandria on the Caucasus:** A colony on the Hindu-Kush mountains. * **Alexandria on the Indus:** A Greek settlement in Pakistan. * **Alexandria Troas:** An ancient city of Troas in modern-day Turkey. * **Alinda:** An ancient city of Caria in modern-day Turkey. * **Charax Spasinu:** An ancient port at the head of the Persian Gulf. He also led the **Wars of Alexander the Great**, a series of conflicts against Greek powers, the Persian Empire, and warlords as far east as India. ## FAQs **When did Alexander the Great live?** He was born on July 20, 356 BC, and died on June 10, 323 BC. **What territories did Alexander the Great conquer?** He conquered the Achaemenid Persian Empire and led military campaigns against Greek powers and warlords extending into India. **Which cities were founded by Alexander the Great?** He founded many cities, including Alexandria in Egypt, Alexandria Bucephalous in Pakistan, Alexandria Eschate in Tajikistan, and Alexandropolis Maedica. **What animals were associated with Alexander the Great?** He owned the horse Bucephalus and the dog Peritas. **What modern locations are named after Alexander the Great?** Modern locations named in his honor include İskenderun in Turkey and the town of Alexandreia in Greece, which was renamed in 1953. ## Why They Matter Alexander the Great's conquests fundamentally reshaped the ancient world by dismantling the Achaemenid Empire and facilitating the spread of Hellenistic culture across Europe, Asia, and Africa. His establishment of cities served as enduring centers of culture and governance, many of which persist as major urban centers today. The vast number of monuments, landmarks, and geographic features named after him—from airports to lunar craters—attests to his lasting historical footprint and the continued fascination with his military and political achievements. ## Notable For - Reigning as King of Macedonia from 356 to 323 BC. - Conquering the Achaemenid Persian Empire. - Founding the first town of Alexandropolis Maedica in 340 BC. - Establishing Alexandria in Egypt in 33 BC. - Leading military campaigns as far east as India. - Owning the famous horse Bucephalus and the dog Peritas. - Being the namesake for the "Gates of Alexander" and the lunar crater "Alexander." - Having the Kavala International Airport in Greece named after him. - Being depicted in the ancient Alexander Sarcophagus. - Serving as the namesake for the Albanian lek currency. ## Body ### Identity and Background Alexander the Great, also known as Alexander III of Macedon, was a human, politician, military leader, and monarch. He held citizenship in the ancient Hellenic kingdom of Macedonia. His life spanned from July 20, 356 BC, to June 10, 323 BC. He was influenced by the Classical Greek philosopher Aristotle. He is recognized by various aliases, including Eskandar, Sikandar, Alexander of Macedonia, and Alexandros. ### Military Career and Conflicts As a military leader, Alexander commanded the **Wars of Alexander the Great**. These conflicts involved battles against other Greek powers, the Persian Empire, and warlords extending as far east as India. He was associated with the **Prodromoi**, a light cavalry unit in Ancient Greece. His strategic movements included the use of the **Gates of Alexander**, a strategic pass utilized during his conquests. ### Foundations of Cities Alexander established a vast number of cities, often naming them Alexandria or variants thereof, leaving a permanent mark on the geography of the ancient world. * **Early Foundations:** His first town, **Alexandropolis Maedica**, was founded in 340 BC. * **Central Asian Campaigns:** He founded **Alexandria Eschate** in August 329 BCE at the Fergana Valley in modern Tajikistan. He also established **Alexandria on the Caucasus** on the Hindu-Kush mountains and **Alexandria Arachosia** at the site of modern-day Kandahar, Afghanistan. **Alexandria Prophthasia** was another city founded in the Drangiana Satrapy (modern Afghanistan). * **Indian Campaign:** In May 326 BC, he founded **Alexandria Bucephalous** in Pakistan, as well as **Alexandria on the Indus**. * **Western and Mediterranean Foundations:** He founded **Alexandria** in Egypt in 33 BC, a major port city on the Mediterranean coast. Other foundations include **Alexandria Troas** in modern-day Turkey, **Alinda** in ancient Caria (modern Turkey), and **Charax Spasinu** at the head of the Persian Gulf. ### Legacy and Modern Associations Alexander's influence extends into the modern era through geography, commemoration, and cultural artifacts. * **Named Locations:** The city of **İskenderun** in Turkey is named after him. The town of **Alexandreia** in Imathia, Macedonia, Greece, was renamed in his honor in 1953. * **Infrastructure and Monuments:** The **Kavala International Airport** in Greece is named "Alexander the Great." The **Alexandreio Melathron** is an arena in Thessaloniki, Greece, named in his honor. The **Alexander the Great Marathon** is an event established in 2006 in Pella, Greece. * **Artifacts and Symbols:** He is associated with the **Alexander Sarcophagus**, an ancient sarcophagus. A lunar crater is named **Alexander**. The **Albanian lek** currency is also linked to him in the provided knowledge base. * **Animals:** His horse, **Bucephalus**, and his dog, **Peritas**, are specifically noted as animals he owned. ### Academic and Cultural Context Alexander is a subject of extensive documentation, appearing in various knowledge bases and historical records. His life and works are cataloged under numerous identifiers, including VIAF, ISNI, and GND. He is recognized as a pivotal figure in ancient history, with his actions influencing the geopolitical structure of the known world during his lifetime. ## References 1. [Alexander of Macedon, 356–323 B.C.: a historical biography](https://books.google.com/books?id=g6Wl4AKGQkIC&pg=PA559&dq=alexander+the+great+356+OR+355&sa=X&ei=h78uT-uaFYSzhAe436jsCg&ved=0CF8Q6AEwCDgK#v=onepage&q=356&f=false) 2. Dictionary of African Biography 3. Alexander 4. Q45262928 5. Source 6. datos.bne.es 7. general catalog of BnF 8. Virtual International Authority File 9. BnF authorities 10. CiNii Research 11. Lingua Libre 12. British Museum person-institution thesaurus 13. Life of Alexander the Great 14. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 15. A Short History of Astronomy 16. [Ancient History Encyclopedia: Aristotle](https://www.ancient.eu/aristotle/) 17. Répertoire des sources philosophiques antiques 18. BBC Things 19. CERL Thesaurus 20. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line 21. Enciclopedia Treccani 22. LIBRIS. 2016 23. Dizionario di Storia 24. [Source](https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/iskender) 25. Golden 26. FactGrid 27. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands 28. HMML Authority File 29. [Alexander the Great MBTI Personality Type: ESTP](https://www.personality-database.com/profile/308)