Macedonian history is marked by the rise of the ancient kingdom of Macedon, which became powerful under the rule of Philip II in the 4th century BCE. His son, Alexander the Great, expanded the empire, spreading Greek culture across a vast territory that included parts of Asia and Africa. After the fall of the Macedonian Empire, the region experienced various influences, including Roman and Byzantine rule. In the 20th century, Macedonia became part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and later declared independence in 1991, leading to the establishment of the modern state of North Macedonia.