Alexander III

            What made Alexander III so great? I have been interested in Alexander III since I learned of in him in the forth grade. Alexander was a great military and political genius who should not be forgotten. Many of his actions have affected us today. That may be hard to believe since he lived some 2330 years ago. Alexander III was the son of Philip II, king of Macedonia. Alexander was brought up as the crown prince. From the beginning he was destined to be a great king. His teacher was none other than Aristotle. Under his tutelage Alexander acquired a great love for Homer. He was truly a student of the heroic age. His mother was Olympias until Philip divorced her for a younger princess. This estranged Alexander and his father. It became so bad that Alexander fled. Although, he was later allowed to return, he remained isolated and insecure until Philip's mysterious assassination around June 336 BC. Some historians believe that Alexander played a role in the assassination. This is all speculation since it happened so many years ago. After his fathers death Alexander was at once presented to the army as king. This was huge for Alexander. Winning its support he at once eliminated all potential rivals to the crown. He was also able to gain the allegiance of the Macedonian nobles. That proved easier than what he had to do to gain the allegiance of the Greeks. The Greeks rebelled, but Alexander quickly put them down and destroyed Thebes. With all inside opposition crushed and able to claim the right as king, Alexander moved to pacify the neighboring barbarians. After this was accomplished he took on his fathers war of aggression against Persia, adapting his slogan of, Hellenic Crusade against the barbarian. Alexander first defeated the small force defending Anatolia. He proclaimed freedom for the Greek cities there while keeping them under tight control. He then took the campaign to the Anatolian high lands to impress the tribesman.