Alexander the Great Song - Horrible Histories Song - Lyric Video

Name: Alexander

Also known as: Alexander the Great & Alexander III of Macedon

Years alive: 356 BC - 323 BC

Reigning years: 336 BC - 323 BC

Number: III (3)

Country: North Macedonia

Known for: Alexander the Great was a King of the ancient Greek Kingdom of Macedon. He succeeded his father Philip II to the throne in 336 BC at the age of 20, and spent most of his ruling years conducting a lengthy military campaign throughout Western Asia and Egypt. There is no record of him having ever been defeated in battle. His last great battle in India, the Battle of Hydaspes, was one battle that he almost lost. He was outnumbered as he fought against King Porus, who was the ruler of an Indian Kingdom. Porus had to defend his kingdom and chose the perfect spot to check Alexander's advance. Although he lost the battle, he became the most successful recorded opponent of Alexander. Alexander the Great died in Babylon in 323 BC. His death at age 32 followed a 2-week febrile illness. Speculated causes of death have included poisoning, assassination, and a number of infectious diseases.

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Name: Ptolemy I Soter

Also known as: Ptolemy the Saviour

Years alive: 367 BC - 282 BC

Reigning years: 305 BC - 282 BC

Number: I (1)

Country: North Macedonia

Known for: Ptolemy was one of Alexander's most trusted companions and military officers. After the death of Alexander in 323 BC, Ptolemy retrieved his body as it was en route to be buried in Macedon, placing it in Memphis instead, where it was later moved to Alexandria in a new tomb. Afterwards he joined a coalition against Perdiccas, the royal regent over Philip III of Macedon. The latter invaded Egypt but was assassinated by his own officers in 320 BC, allowing Ptolemy I to consolidate his control over the country. After a series of wars between Alexander's successors, Ptolemy gained a claim to Judea in southern Syria, which was disputed with the Syrian king Seleucus I. He also took control of Cyprus and Cyrenaica, the latter of which was placed under the control of Ptolemy's stepson Magas. Ptolemy also had the Library of Alexandria built. Following a brief peace, Ptolemy was involved in a series of conflicts with both Antigonus and Demetrius, finally aiding in their defeat and Antigonus' death at Ipsus in 301 BC. By then Ptolemy had assumed the title of King as well as being named Soter meaning “saviour” for his defense of Rhodes against Demetrius. He went on to find the Ptolemaic Dynasty from 305 BC to 30 BC. It is not known how Ptolemy died but he died around the age 84 or 85, reigning around 40 years.

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Name: Hephaestion

Years alive: 356 BC - 324 BC

Country: North Macedonia

Known for: Hephaestion was an ancient Macedonian nobleman and a general in the army of Alexander the Great. He was "by far the dearest of all the King's friends; he had been brought up with Alexander and knew all his secrets". During the expedition against Persia, he served as a military commander but proved a better organiser. Not much more is known but in Spring 324 BC Hephaestion left Susa, where he had been married, and accompanied Alexander and the rest of the army as they travelled towards Ecbatana. They arrived in the Autumn and it was there, during games and festivals, that Hephaestion fell ill with a fever. Arrian says that after the fever had run for seven days, Alexander had to be summoned from the games to Hephaestion, who was seriously ill. He did not arrive in time; by the time he got there, Hephaestion was dead. Arrian then said that Alexander "flung himself on the body of his friend and lay there nearly all day long in tears, and refused to be parted from him until he was dragged away by force by his Companions".

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Name: Bucephalus

Years alive: ? - 326 BC

Known for: Bucephalus is among the most famous horses in history, and it was said that he could not be tamed. The young Alexander the Great, aged 12, tamed him – and went on to ride his beloved equine companion for many years and into many battles. Bucephalus fell at the beginning of the battle on the Hydapses. Plutarch however mentions that Bucephalus died either from wounds or simple old age, "not at once, but some time afterwards". Arrian also states that Bucephalus, being around thirty years old, died unwounded of old age. Alexander was said to have been devastated by the loss of his beloved companion, and he reportedly wept openly at the sight of Bucephalus' lifeless body. After Bucephalus' death, Alexander is said to have founded a city called Bucephala in honour of his horse. Bucephalus is one among other famous horses like John McCrae's horse Bonfire, or the Tuvan horse of independence from tyranny, who is said to have been the fastest horse in Tuvan history in the 1930s: Ezir-Kara.