Alexander the Great

Alexander’s great empire

Alexander the Great was one of history’s most famous conquerors. Born in 356 BC in Macedonia, he became king at a young age after his father, King Philip II, was assassinated. Alexander wanted to create a huge empire that spread across the known world.

Conquering Persians of Iran

In 334 BC, he started his campaign by invading Persia, a powerful empire that ruled much of the eastern Mediterranean. He crossed the Hellespont with a strong army. His first major battle was at Granicus River, where he won a quick victory. This success boosted his confidence and encouraged his troops.

Alexander then moved south into Asia Minor, modern Turkey. He captured important cities like Sardis and Ephesus. He continued his campaign through Syria and Palestine, defeating the Persian forces at the Battle of Issus in 333 BC. This victory opened the door for him to enter Egypt, where he was welcomed as a hero.

He names Alexandria after you know who

In Egypt, he founded the city of Alexandria, which became a center of culture and learning. After Egypt, he returned to Persia. In 331 BC, he faced King Darius III at the Battle of Gaugamela. Alexander’s tactics and bravery led to a decisive victory. He chased Darius across Persia, capturing Babylon and other key cities.

Alexander's campaign lasted for years. He pushed east into India, where he fought the fierce army of King Porus at the Battle of Hydaspes in 326 BC. His army was tired and far from home, so they refused to go further.

He dies at age 32

In 323 BC, Alexander fell ill and died in Babylon at the age of 32. His empire stretched from Greece to India, but it soon fell apart after his death. Alexander the Great left a lasting legacy as a brilliant military leader and a visionary who changed the world.

Daniel called him a speedy unicorn goat

Some scholars say the prophet Daniel described him as a speedy unicorn goat whose horn broke into four pieces (Daniel 8:5). The four pieces, scholars say, represent his generals who divided his empire among themselves.

Where to find more Bible maps

The Casual English Bible® has more than 900 Bible maps, many in 3D style. You can search for maps by place name, such as "Sea of Galilee."

Dedicated Bible map search engine

But you can also search for maps by Bible book, such as searching for all the maps in the book of Joshua. In addition, you can search by country, region, or era on a timeline, such as when Israel had kings or when Jesus was on earth. Here's a link to the dedicated Map Search Engine.