With an effort, he looked at them as they passed.
Alexander the Great, or Alexander III of Macedon, was an influential figure in the ancient world. His death was as mysterious as his life was extraordinary. Born in 356 BC, Alexander the Great spent his short but dynamic life carving out an empire stretching from Greece to Egypt and as far east as India, becoming legendary. However, his ambitious pursuits and the rigors of his campaigns would lead to his untimely death at a young age.
In 323 BC, Alexander was in Babylon, the capital of his vast empire. Despite a period of festivity and partying, Alexander fell ill suddenly. The exact cause of his illness is still a topic of debate among historians. Some believe he contracted a deadly fever, possibly malaria or typhoid, while others propose the idea of poisoning. These theories, however, are speculative at best, and the actual cause remains an enigma.
Alexander’s illness rapidly progressed, and after struggling for about two weeks, he met his end on June 11, 323 BC. His death was a shock to his companions and his empire. He was only 32 years old.
According to Plutarch’s account, Alexander’s body remained in perfect condition for several days after his death, causing speculation and wonder among his followers. His body was supposed to be buried in Macedonia. Ptolemy, one of his generals and later Pharaoh of Egypt, hijacked the funeral procession and took the body to Memphis, Egypt.
Ultimately, Alexander was laid to rest in a mausoleum in Alexandria, the city he founded. The exact location of his tomb remains a mystery to this day.x
Our Coins of Alexander III
Alexander Ill tetradrachms were first struck around 330 BC.
