Alexander undertook the expedition against Persia in 336 BC and by 330 had assumed the title of `Great king' of Asia. However it was not only the hunger for fame and glory of this ambitious Macedonian king that allowed him to defeat the Persian Empire and declare himself `Great King of Asia' but also many other factors. Phillip's legacy, which includes the mighty Macedonian army; Alexander's military genius and the weakness of the Persian Empire and its king Darius III contributed to his success.

When Alexander succeeded the Macedonian throne he inherited a strong and powerful state, overlordship of the Greek world and the expedition against Persian already set in motion. Such was Phillip's legacy to his son, but most importantly Alexander inherited from Phillip a highly experienced and efficient army with excellent generals. Under Phillip they had dominated the Balkans and under Alexander they would conquer the armies of...