Alexander the Great
( 356 B.C.- 323
B.C.)
He was born in July 356 B.C. in Pella,
Macedonia. His parents were Philippos the 2nd and Olympiada.
His father was concerned about his education and for this reason he invited the great philosopher Aristotelis
to become his teacher. Alexander (Alexandros, in greek) studied Homer (Homeros in greek) and he admired Achilles
(Achilleas) very much and wanted to be like him.
After Philippos was assassinated in 336 B.C. Alexandros became king of Macedonia at the age of 20.
Two years later he set out for the big campaign against the Persians, applying his father's plans.
Alexander set out from Pella with 30.000 soldiers, 5.000 equestrians and a few ships, to take back the Greek cities
in Asia Minor from the Persians.
He defeated the huge Persian Navy in nearly all the sea battles and his conquest reached Libya and India.
Alexander was not only a great General but also a great politician. He respected the religion and the customs of the
various people he conquered. His conquests were very important for the whole world. Artists and scientists followed Alexander
in his campaign and did researches and deeds in the areas he conquered.
Because of this great work Alexander was given the title
Great.
He died very young, in 323 BC, at the age of 33, in Babylon, from fever as some people believe or from poison as some
others say.
'' what I saw and heard in Vergina ( Eghes )''
On Friday 8th of March, fifth and sixth grade visited archaeological
site of Eghes (Vergina today). We set out very early in the morning and the route was very pleasant.
The first place that we visited was the palace of the Macedonian Kings. We
saw many ruins of the palace that were saved until today.
On the western
side of the palace there was a large mosaic which was covered to be protected. In the internal yard there was nothing left
except some columns. After we saw the palace we went and saw the theatre of the old Greeks. There , there was a big empty
ground and there were seats made of stone around. After that, we saw the fourth royal tomb and later we went to
the museum. In the museum we saw many objects such as armours, rings, pots and saucers etc. In the museum there was also a
complex of three tombs. The first one was of king Philippos the 2nd, the second was of one of the sons of Alexander
the Great , as they believe, and the third one was of Philippos wife. All three of them were very beautiful. The object that
impressed me the most was the golden larnax of the wife of Philippos.
I will really never forget in my life this interesting visit to the archeological
site of Vergina!
Chryssa
Iatropoulou
