Alexander III of Macedon, commonly known as Alexander the Great, was a king of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon from 336 to 323 BC. He is renowned for his extraordinary military conquests, which created one of the largest empires in history, stretching from Greece to northwestern India. His leadership and strategic prowess in battles, such as the Battle of Gaugamela, established him as one of history's greatest military commanders. Born in 356 BC in Pella, the capital of Macedon, Alexander was tutored by the philosopher Aristotle. He ascended to the throne after the assassination of his father, Philip II of Macedon. Alexander's campaigns spread Greek culture and influence throughout the regions he conquered, leading to the Hellenistic period, which blended Greek and Eastern cultures. He died in 323 BC in Babylon at the age of 32.