Role: King of Macedon, Hegemon of the Hellenic League, Pharaoh of Egypt, King of Asia
Nationality: Macedonian
Alternate Names:
Achievements:
Relationships:
Biography: Alexander III of Macedon, commonly known as Alexander the Great, was born in Pella in 356 BCE to King Philip II and Queen Olympias. Tutored by Aristotle in his youth, he developed a love of literature, science, and philosophy. When Philip was assassinated in 336 BCE, Alexander ascended to the throne at age 20 and quickly consolidated power. After securing control of Greece, he launched a campaign against the Persian Empire in 334 BCE. Over the next decade, his military campaigns were remarkably successful, defeating the Persians at battles including Granicus, Issus, and Gaugamela. He conquered Egypt, where he founded Alexandria, and was proclaimed Pharaoh. Continuing eastward, he toppled the Persian Empire, pursued Darius III, and pushed into Central Asia and India. At the Hydaspes River, he defeated King Porus but soon faced a mutiny from his troops who refused to march further into India. During his campaigns, Alexander founded numerous cities, many named Alexandria, that would spread Greek culture throughout the known world. He implemented policies to integrate conquered peoples, adopting elements of Persian court customs and encouraging his officers to marry local noblewomen. Alexander himself married a Bactrian princess, Roxana, and later took Persian wives as well. His sudden death in Babylon in 323 BCE at age 32 left his enormous empire without a clear successor, leading to the Wars of the Diadochi among his generals. Alexander's legacy transformed the ancient world, spreading Hellenistic culture across a vast area and ushering in a new historical era. His military tactics and strategies are still studied today, and his conquests facilitated cultural exchanges between East and West that would influence civilization for centuries.
Role: King of Macedon
Nationality: Macedonian
Alternate Names:
Achievements:
Relationships:
Biography: Philip II became king of Macedon in 359 BCE following the death of his brother Perdiccas III. Having spent time as a hostage in Thebes during his youth, Philip learned advanced military techniques from the Theban general Epaminondas. Upon taking the throne, he inherited a kingdom threatened by both internal division and external enemies. Through a combination of military reforms, diplomatic marriages, and strategic brilliance, Philip transformed Macedon into a formidable power. His most significant military innovation was the development of the Macedonian phalanx, equipped with the sarissa (a long pike up to 18 feet in length). Philip also created a professional standing army and reformed the companion cavalry into an elite striking force. By 338 BCE, following his victory at the Battle of Chaeronea, Philip had established Macedonian hegemony over most of Greece through the League of Corinth. He was preparing for a campaign against Persia when he was assassinated in 336 BCE at his daughter's wedding feast. The assassination occurred just after he had entered the theater at Aegae, with the motive remaining debated by historians. Philip's legacy includes not only his military innovations but also his diplomatic acumen and vision of a unified Greece—ideas his son Alexander would build upon in creating his empire. Philip's development of gold and silver mines in Macedon also provided the financial foundation for both his own campaigns and Alexander's later conquests.
Role: General, Chiliarch, Companion of Alexander
Nationality: Macedonian
Alternate Names:
Achievements:
Relationships:
Biography: Hephaestion was born to a Macedonian noble family around the same time as Alexander. Their friendship began in their youth and continued throughout Alexander's campaigns. Hephaestion studied alongside Alexander under Aristotle at Mieza. During the campaigns, he served as a commander in the Companion cavalry and was gradually entrusted with more significant military and administrative responsibilities. After proving himself in combat and leadership, he was made a Somatophylax (bodyguard) to Alexander, one of the highest military honors. While not considered the most brilliant military commander among Alexander's generals, Hephaestion was valued for his absolute loyalty and diplomatic skills. He frequently represented Alexander in diplomatic missions and administrative tasks. In 330 BCE, he helped suppress the conspiracy of Philotas and was subsequently promoted to command half of the Companion cavalry. His influence continued to grow, and in 324 BCE he was appointed Chiliarch (Grand Vizier), effectively making him second-in-command of the empire. At the mass wedding at Susa that same year, he married Drypetis, daughter of the former Persian King Darius III, symbolizing Alexander's policy of cultural fusion. Hephaestion died in Ecbatana in October 324 BCE after a brief illness, possibly typhoid fever. Alexander was devastated by his death, reportedly fasting for days, cutting his hair in mourning (a Persian custom), and ordering an elaborate funeral and monuments. Hephaestion was granted divine honors after his death, and Alexander petitioned the oracle of Ammon to allow his worship as a divine hero.