Alexander III, of Macedon, surnamed "The Great," born in 356 B.C., son of Philip. He was educated partly by Aristotle and early gave proofs of skill and courage. A revolt of Thebes at the commencement of his reign was promptly quelled with great severity; then crossing the Hellespont, he marched against the Persians, whom he repeatedly defeated, conquering Phoenicia and Egypt. After the final defeat of Darius at Gaugamela, and the capture of Babylon, Susa, and Persepolis, Alexander commenced the conquest of India, but after penetrating almost as far as the Ganges, he was compelled to return to Babylon, but paused at Susa to celebrate his marriage with the daughter of Darius. He died at Babylon, 323 B.C., after a reign of about thirteen years; his body was embalmed and taken to Alexandria, which city had been founded by him and named in his honor.

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