Following the death of King Philip II in 336 BC, a 20 year old Alexander inherited one of the most advanced army and logistical system of its time, coupled with veteran generals, an exemplary battle record and hegemony over Greece; this was King Philips legacy to Macedon and his son Alexander (Hyper 1). According to Honorary Senior Lecturer of Ancient History Michael Austin, "The careers of Philip II and his son Alexander the Great (III) were interlocked in innumerable ways in their own lifetimes " and he uses the analogy that "Alexander drove the engine his father had built " (Austin, 1998). Alexander is an interesting character, as he tended to both imitate his father and react against his policies throughout his tenure as king. However similar the two Macedonian kings may have been, Alexander distanced himself as far as possible from the exploits and reputation of Philip II since his attitude to his father had turned from one of admiration and rivalry to complete resentment. Alexander strived to eclipse his father's achievements, reflected in his attitude to kingship of triumph of the will. Alexander resented his father and denied that the two individuals were related. Henceforth, Alexander often referred to Zeus-Ammon as his true father. The young king could not handle being associated with Philip II and was enraged by the words of one of his officers, Cleitus the Black, as he claimed that all of Alexander's successes were based on actions taken by his father. The Greek historian Arrian describes the drunken events leading up to the murder of Cleitus at the hands of Alexander III: .
