For the 3rd Day of White History Month we celebrate Alexander the Great's conquest of the Achaemenid Empire! Proving himself as one of, if not the, best military commanders of all time, asserting the dominance of Greek culture across the known world and laying the foundation for Western Civilization.

Socrates mentored Plato, who mentored Aristotle, who mentored Alexander, by the request of Alexander's father, King Phillip of Macedon. Phillip the Great devised the Macedonian Phalanx, a spear wall formation that was the most advanced military tactic of their age. The once peripheral barbarian kingdom of Macedon had become the military hegemons of Greece. With this Phalanx formation Phillip and Alexander united Greece for the first time since Agamemnon in its legendary ancient past. When Phillip was poisoned in 336BC, Alexander vowed to see through his ambition of defeating their old enemy in the East. Inspired by the heroes of the Persian invasions, enlightened by the wisest philosophers, and battle hardened by his father, Alexander launched one of the greatest military campaigns in human history.

The first major battle took place at the crossing of the river Granicus in Anatolia. 40,000 Persians were on a hill across the river. Alexander's generals suggested finding an alternate crossing, thinking their army of 18,000 insufficient for a frontal assault but Alexander opted to lead a charge across the river, up the hill and headlong into the enemy routing and destroying them, while losing only 115 men. Alexander passed the city of Gordium who presented him with the fabled Gordian Knot, he who could untie the knot it was said would rule all of Asia. Alexander cut the knot with his sword and marched on.

The second and largest battle was near the town of Issus. There the Persian Emperor Darius had amassed the entire Persian army, around 250,000, and was so confident in his inevitable victory that he brought the royal family to watch the battle along with the royal treasury. Alexander's army now numbering around 37,000 engaged the Persian army in heavy fighting, Greek losses were around 5,000 while the Persians around 40,000. At the peak of the battle Alexander spotted Darius's chariot and personally charged towards it. Darius was forced to flee for his life. The sight of their Emperor fleeing caused the Persian army to mass rout and the battle was won.

The Persian royal family and treasury was captured and Darius was on the retreat to Babylon. Alexander was offered all lands West of the Euphrates and Darius' daughters hand in marriage. Alexanders general Parmenion advised "If I were Alexander I would accept." Alexander replied, "I would too, were I Parmenion." Moving along the coast toward Egypt, Alexander was stopped by the island fortress of Tyre. After seven months of siege, Alexander ordered a causeway be built out to the island, one kilometer long and 200 ft wide, so they could bring siege catapults within range of its walls. The bridge is still there to this day. To defend the construction of the causeway from Tyre's fleet, they also built two 160ft tall defense towers. After Tyre, Egypt welcomed Alexander as a liberator, hailed him Pharoah as well as son of Amun. He founded Alexandria at the mouth of the Nile, the largest of 24 cities he would name after himself.

Darius made his last stand at Gaugamela, modern day Mosul, with an army of 120,000 against Alexanders army bolstered to around 47,000. After this final defeat, Darius was murdered by his own men and the Achaemenid Empire was destroyed. Alexander was not satisfied however. He proceeded to conquer unknown lands in central Asia, founding Greek cities as far as modern Afghanistan. After defeating a massive Indian army at Hydaspes near the Indus river, Alexander wanted to conquer the Nanda Empire of India, but his men would go no further. They had conquered beyond the known world and were ready to return home as heroes but Alexander had other plans.

To unite his new empire he demanded his generals marry into Persian royalty and took on Persian customs, this alienated him from his men leading to a mutiny which was only stopped by a speech from Alexander. Alexander suddenly fell ill and died in Babylon at 32, undefeated in battle and master of the world. His legendary achievements would go on to inspire all the great men of Western civilization. While on his deathbed, his generals asked Alexander who should rule as regent until his infant son reaches age of majority. Alexander said only "I would leave it to the strongest."