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'''Alexander the Great''' (356 BC - 323 BC) was the outstanding military leader of the ancient world, leading Greek forces to the conquest of much of the Middle East, including Persia.  

'''Alexander the Great''' (356 BC - 323 BC) was the outstanding military leader of the ancient world, leading Greek forces to the conquest of much of the Middle East, including Persia.  

No one doubts his prowess, but was he a force for good or evil? One the one hand he unified much of Europe and Asia, bringing advanced Hellenistic culture which flourished for centuries. The Roman historian Plutarch saw him as a philosopher-king with a universal vision of a harmonious one-world. The Romans admired him greatly for setting the stage for their own Empire, which in many ways was a continuation of his. Others saw Alexander as a ruthless, blood-thirsty tyrant, so self-centered that his only goal was to feed his insatiable need for power and lust for battle.<ref> On the debate see Professor Ian Worthington "How 'Great' was Alexander?" ''The Ancient History Bulletin'' [http://www.utexas.edu/courses/citylife/readings/great1.html v.13 #2 (1999) online]</ref>

As is commonly the case with great conquerors, historians vary greatly in their opinions of Alexander. On the one hand he is seen as a civilizer who unified much of Europe and Asia, bringing advanced Hellenistic culture which flourished for centuries. The Roman historian Plutarch saw him as a philosopher-king with a universal vision of a harmonious world. The Romans admired him greatly for setting the stage for their own Empire, which in many ways was a continuation of his. Others saw Alexander as a ruthless, blood-thirsty tyrant, so self-centered that his only goal was to feed his insatiable need for power and lust for battle.<ref> On the debate see Professor Ian Worthington "How 'Great' was Alexander?" ''The Ancient History Bulletin'' [http://www.utexas.edu/courses/citylife/readings/great1.html v.13 #2 (1999) online]</ref>

==Life==

==Life==

Alexander was born in 356 BC to [[Philip II of Macedon]]. While growing up, Alexander was tutored by [[Aristotle]] from whom he learned philosophy and geography among other subjects.  Alexander's father was a warrior and unified Greece under his overall rule after defeating them militarily.  A young Alexander successfully led a cavalry regiment during this campaign in the decisive [[Battle of Chaeronea]].  Phillip planned to conquer [[Persia]] next, but was assassinated in 336. It is generally agreed that Alexander was not part of the plot, although his mother who was estranged from Phillip might have been.  

Alexander was born in 356 BC to [[Philip II of Macedon]]. While growing up, Alexander was tutored by [[Aristotle]] from whom he learned philosophy and geography among other subjects.  Alexander's father was a warrior and unified Greece under his overall rule after defeating them militarily.  A young Alexander successfully led a cavalry regiment during this campaign in the decisive [[Battle of Chaeronea]].  Phillip planned to conquer [[Persia]] next, but was assassinated in 336. It is generally agreed that Alexander was not part of the plot, although his mother who was estranged from Phillip might have been.