《旅游管理专业英语》（第二版） 讲义 Lesson05 Alexander the Great.docVIP

Alexander the Great, Emperor Born: 356 B.C. Birthplace: Pella, Death: 323 B.C. (cause uncertain) Best Known As: Conqueror of the ancient world Of all those who have set out to conquer the world, Alexander the Great came closest to finishing the job. The son of King Phillip II of Macedon, Alexander was educated by the philosopher Aristotle and first led troops at age 18. After his fathers death he whipped the superpower Persians and conquered much of the civilized world. He died suddenly at age 33 after a bout of heavy drinking; some suggest he was poisoned, though no cause of death has ever been proved. A ruler of Greece in the fourth century b.c. As a general, he conquered most of the ancient world, extending the civilization of Greece east to India. Alexander is said to have wept because there were no worlds left to conquer. In Alexanders youth, the philosopher Aristotle was his tutor. ? Before beginning his conquests, Alexander allegedly unloosed the Gordian knot by cutting through it. It was believed that the person who unfastened the Gordian knot would rule a vast territory in Asia. Alexander founded the city of Alexandria, which became a great center of learning in Egypt.