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| − | Great Macedonian military leader living from 356-323 B.C. who ruled Greece, conquered more land than people imagined possible. | + | '''Alexander the Great''' |
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| | + | Alexander the great was born in 356 B.C. to Philip II, King of Macedonia. His father conquered Greece in about 335 B.C. and planned to conquer Persia next, but was assassinated in 336. This left 20 year-old Alexander king of Macedonia and Greece. |
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| | + | Once Alexander gained control of the Greeks, He decided to put into action his father’s plan of conquering Persia. Alexander thought that if he united the whole world through culture and intermarriage, there would be no reason for anyone to fight. To this end he formed an army of 30,000 foot soldiers, 5,000 cavalry men, and engineers to build siege engines. |
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| | + | In four years Alexander conquered the Phoenician cities of Trye and Sidon, the countries of Canaan and Egypt, the Persian cities of Susa and Persepolis, and many other lands. Wherever he went, Alexander spread Greek language and culture. Finally when he reached the Indus River, his homesick army decided that they would go no farther. So Alexander decided to set up a capital for his new empire in Babylon. Tragically, in 323 B.C., Alexander Died of fever after ruling in Babylon for only about a year. |