Alexanders Childhood

Alexander was born on the 20 July 356 BC, in Pella ( capital of the Kingdom of Macedon ). He was the son of Philip II, the King of Macedon and his mother was Olympias of Epirus.

According to the ancient Greek historian Plutarch, Olympias, dreamed that her womb was struck by a thunder bolt, causing a flame which spread "far and wide" before dying away. Plutarch offers a variety of interpretations of these dream; that Olympia was pregnant before her marriage, or that Alexander's father was Zeus.

On the day that Alexander was born, Philip was preparing himself for a attack to the city of Potidea ( at the peninsula of Chalkidiki ). Aswell, at that day, Philip received news that his general Parmenion had beaten and defeated the combined Illyrian and Paeonian armies, and that his horses had won at the Olympic Games. And it was also said that on this same day, the Temple of Artemis, in Ephesu ( one of the Seven Wonders of the World ) burnt down.

When Alexander was thirteen years old, Philip decided that Alexander needed a higher education and he began to search for a tutor. Many people were passed

over including Isocrates,but in the end, Philip offered the job to Aristotle, who accepted, and Philip gave them the Temple of the Nymphs at Mieza as their classroom.

Mieza was the school for Alexander and the children of Macedonian nobles, such as Ptolemy and Cassander. Many of the pupils who learned by Alexander's side would become his friends and future generals, and are often referred to as the 'Companions'. At Mieza, Aristotle educated Alexander and his companions in medicine, philosophy, morals, religion, logic and art.

From Aristotle's teaching, Alexander developed a passion for the Iliad; Aristotle gave him a copy, which Alexander was to take on his campaigns.