Alexander the Great

The prince took charge of the Companion Cavalry at age 18, and aided his father in defeating the Athenian and Theban armies at Chaeronea. Alexander became King of Macedonia at the age of 20.

Alexander’s army consisted of 40,000 soldiers on foot (infantry) and 5,000 soldiers on horseback (cavalry). He considered himself a great leader and was quoted: I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion."

From his first victory at age 18, Alexander gained a reputation of being successful when he led his men to battle. Most notably, he would send smaller forces to reach and break the enemy lines before his enemies were ready to battle. Due to this, Alexander never lost a battle in 15 years of conquest.

Driven to conquer, he convinced his soldiers to march thousands of miles in harsh conditions, risking their lives in one military conquest after another for the sake of the glory. Yet, they were all willing, as he was considered a great leader. This photo is the Equestrian statue of Alexander the Great, on the waterfront at Thessaloniki, capital of Greek Macedonia.

Alexander commemorated his conquests by founding more than twenty cities. He decided to name these cities after himself, and called them Alexandria.

In his battles, he destroyed the great capital of Persepolis, along with the temples and emblems of the ancient Zoroastrian religion.

His military conquests greatly increased contacts and trade between the East and West. Vast areas to the east were significantly exposed to Greek civilization and other influences of Greece. Some of the cities he founded became major cultural centers, with many surviving into the 21st century.