Alexander was born in Macedon in 356BC. His mother Olympias was a princess from Epirus, and his father was Philip II, King of Macedon. Olympias was an intelligent but very cruel and tough woman. She devoted much of her time towards her son and his eventual ascension to the throne. Alexander was particularly close with his mother and even idolised her. Philip was a strong and impulsive man, whom Alexander grew to admire, but also wished to compete against. Philip wanted Alexander to grow up as an educated and intelligent man who could continue his own ambitions politically and militarily, so Philip imported the best teacher to Macedon. Alexander grew up admiring Achilles, the hero from the Illiad, and the legendary Hercules, whom his mother said his father descended from. Alexander's early life was not only influenced by his...