Alexander the Great, born in 356 BCE in Macedonia, was a legendary military leader and king who created one of the largest empires of the ancient world. Ascending the throne at age 20, he demonstrated exceptional strategic genius, conquering lands from Greece to Egypt and into northwest India. Educated by Aristotle, Alexander spread Greek culture and influence through his conquests, ushering in the Hellenistic period. Despite his untimely death at 32, his legacy endures as a visionary leader whose ambition and military prowess reshaped the ancient world.