The correct answer is 336 BC.Alexander III of Macedon, commonly known as Alexander the Great, ascended to the throne of the Kingdom of Macedon at the age of 20. His reign marked the beginning of one of the largest empires in history, stretching from Greece to northwestern India.
The Succession:
Alexander became king following the assassination of his father, Philip II of Macedon, in 336 BC. Philip was killed by one of his bodyguards during a wedding celebration in Aegae, the ancient capital of Macedonia.
Consolidation of Power:
Upon taking the throne, Alexander acted quickly to secure his position:
- Eliminating Rivals: He executed potential pretenders to the throne to prevent civil war.
- Suppressing Rebellions: He swiftly put down revolts in the Greek city-states (like Thebes) and among the northern neighbors of Macedonia.
- Inheriting a War Machine: He took command of the highly trained Macedonian army and the "League of Corinth," which his father had organized for an invasion of the Persian Empire.
Historical Timeline:
- 356 BC: Alexander is born in Pella.
- 336 BC: The correct answer—Alexander becomes King.
- 334 BC: Alexander begins his invasion of the Persian Empire.
- 326 BC: He wins the Battle of the Hydaspes (in modern-day Pakistan) against King Porus.
- 323 BC: Alexander dies in Babylon at the age of 32.
Comparison of the Options:
- 336 BC: The correct answer, marking the start of his 13-year reign.
- 326 BC: The year he invaded the Indian subcontinent and fought the famous Battle of the Hydaspes.
- 236 BC: This was long after Alexander’s death; by this time, his empire had already been divided among his generals (the Diadochi).
- None of these: Incorrect, as 336 BC is the universally accepted historical date.
Discussion
Leave a Comment