Alexander the Great

The Greek orator Demosthenes begins to advocate war against Philip II, urging Athens and its allies to resist Macedonian expansion. His speeches shape the political climate and set the stage for a broader Greek conflict with Philip's rising power.

Philip II leads a campaign to subdue the city of Olynthus, tightening Macedon’s grip on Greece. His moves signal growing ambition to dominate Greece and threaten Persian plans.

Olympias bearing a son she proclaims divine sparks anger in Philip II, who suspects adultery. The king fears challenges to his succession while Olympias insists the child holds a godly destiny.

Alexander studies history, mathematics, logic and more under Aristotle in Mieza, absorbing a broad education. He proclaims that a short life with glory is preferable to a long life of obscurity, foreshadowing his ambitions.

Philip II sends Alexander to the Macedonian capital Pella to rule as regent while he leads campaigns elsewhere. The arrangement allows the young heir to govern independently and begin shaping his authority.

Alexander joins Philip in campaigns and fights at Chaeronea, a decisive Macedonian victory. In its aftermath, he demands that Greek city-states never bear arms against Pella and contribute troops for Persia.

Philip II divorces Olympias for alleged unfaithfulness and marries Eurydice, creating a rift with Alexander. The court rivals worry over Alexander’s succession as questions about legitimacy rise.

Pausanias assassinates Philip after a public slight toward Alexander. Alexander kills Pausanias on the spot; Eurydice dies in circumstances arranged to look like suicide, and Olympias has Caranus killed, intensifying a royal feud.

Alexander claims the throne and consolidates his hold over Macedon, suppressing rivals. Memnon is exiled for not pledging loyalty, and Alexander proclaims that the Treaty of Corinth remains in place.

Alexander departs from Macedon to conquer Asia, starting with campaigns in Asia Minor. Persian lords prepare to meet him at the Granicus River, where Alexander wins a decisive victory.

In Phrygia, Alexander faces the Gordian Knot and cuts it with his sword, signaling a bold and decisive approach to future challenges.

Before the Babylon campaign, Alexander interprets a lunar eclipse as a sign of Persian eclipse under Macedonian rule. Darius flees to the Caspian Gates to rebuild, but is killed; Darius’s will asks Alexander to marry Roxane to unite their worlds, and Alexander orders Persian regicides to be impaled.

During a drunken revelry in Babylon, Alexander proclaims himself the son of a god and declares the world under his control, declaring bold plans for further conquests. His reputation soars, but the mood hints at the moral and political costs of his empire-building.

Arrogance peaks when Alexander kills his close friend Cleitus during a drunken argument in Babylon. He later returns from his Indian campaign, marries Roxane at Susa, falls ill, and on his deathbed whispers that he will leave his empire to the strongest.