Alexander the Great was born at Pella, Macedonia in 356 B.C. His father was King Phillip 11 and his mother was Olympias, a deeply spiritual woman who taught her son that he was an ancestor of Achilles and Hercules. From the earliest age, Alexander was conditioned for conquest and kingly glory. He, thus, became focused on and became a great ruler.

When he was 13, Alexander became student to the great Greek philosopher Aristotle. Under Aristotles tutorship he gained an interest in philosophy, medicine and science. However, Aristotles concept of small city-state government would not have gone down well with the young prince who was bent on world domination. Aristotle did, however, cultivate Alexanders interest in reading and learning. At age 16 Aristotle was called to Macedonia to put down a Thracian rebellion while his father was away. Distinguishing himself immediately, Alexander quelled the rebellion, stormed the rebels stronghold and renamed it Alexandroupolis, after himself.

After taking the throne of Macedonia he had embarked on his campaign of conquest. His army consisted of 30,000 foot soldiers and 5,000 cavalrymen, small but efficient. Along with the army he took engineers, surveyors, architects, scientists and even historians. Numerous engagements and successful defeat superior odds. After an eight year campaign Alexander was now ruler of a massive empire. He was keen to push further west but his men were weary and intent on returning to their families. Reluctantly he complied with their wishes.

Alexander was a caring military leader. He would visit his men after the battle, examining their wounds and praising them for their valiant efforts. He would also arrange extravagant funerals for the fallen. He would arrange games and contests for his men. The affection for their leader was what galvanized his troops. Returning to Macedonia Alexander assumed the role he had coveted for so long The great Conqueror. However, his lifestyle gave way to excessive drinking, followed by fits of rage and paranoid suspicion. In June, 332 B.C. Alexander fell victim to malarial fever. Some historians say Alexander was poisoned. He never recovered. The man who no man could defeat died on June 13, 323 B.C. He was just 32 years and 8 months old.

"In faith and hope the world will disagree, but all mankind's concern is charity."

"I am indebted to my father for living, but to my teacher for living well."

"I do not separate people, as do the narrow-minded, into Greeks and barbarians. I am not interested in the origin or race of citizens. I only distinguish them on the basis of their virtue. For me each good foreigner is a Greek and each bad Greek is worse than a barbarian."

"I would rather live a short life of glory than a long one of obscurity."

"There is nothing impossible to him who will try."