Alexander took over as ruler of Macedonia and made sure that the rest of Greece understood that Macedonia was still the most powerful city state. He was, in effect, ruler of Greece (map 1). In 334 BC he set off with 40,000 soldiers to finish the conquest of Persia his father had started (map 2).
Eleven years after he left Greece, Alexander was dead, aged just 32. He had changed the map of the world. He had built Greece a huge empire and was worshipped in many places as a god.
He named thirteen cities after himself (Alexandria) and one after his horse, Bucephalus. He is known as 'Alexander the Great' for his amazing military achievements.