Alexander the Great Gold Stater NGC CHVF Lifetime issue

Alexander the Great (356-323 BC) – Macedonian ruler (336-323 BC) Alexander was the son of Philip II of Macedon, a small state in northern Greece. Philip II was an aggressive ruler who warred with his neighbors and eventually conquered all Greece. Although much of his time was taken up with fighting, he did not neglect his family, and young Alexander was especially favored having been taught by the great Aristotle as his tutor.

After his father was assassinated, at the age of 19, Alexander became king. By that time he had accompanied his father several times in battle and had commanded detachments of the army with great skill and bravery. It was particularly noticeable how Alexander would rough it with his men, sharing their toils and discomforts, and this won their love and reverence.

After returning from months of being gone, Alexander the Great attended a dinner given by a close friend. He joined in the heavy drinking during the day-long event. Complaining that he did not feel well, he went to bed. Alexander's health steadily deteriorated as fever wracked his body. Finally, too weak to leave his bed, the conqueror of the world died ten days after he was stricken.

The exact cause of Alexander's death is unknown. Historians have debated the issue for centuries, attributing it to poison, malaria, typhoid fever or other maladies. What is agreed upon is that the Macedonian king died in early June 323 BC while suffering a high fever that had lasted ten days. His empire was carved up by his generals and soon disintegrated.

The career of Alexander the Great was one of the most amazing in all history. In ten years he expanded his small kingdom into an empire covering all the lands between Greece and India.