The Ancient History Library
Read accessible, richly presented features on civilisations, rulers, warfare, religion, daily life and archaeology.
Philip II of Macedon
Philip II of Macedon Philip II of Macedon was one of the most influential rulers in ancient Greek history. Reigning from 359 BCE until his assassination in 336 BCE, he transformed…
Read article →Alexander the Great
Alexander the Great Alexander the Great was one of the most extraordinary military commanders and rulers in ancient history. Born in 356 BCE in Pella, the capital of Macedon, he in…
Read article →The Battle of Issus, Issus
The Battle of Issus The Battle of Issus, fought in 333 BCE, was one of the most decisive engagements in the campaign of Alexander the Great against the Persian Empire. Taking place…
Read article →The Battle of Gaugamela
The Battle of Gaugamela The Battle of Gaugamela, fought in 331 BCE, was the decisive confrontation between Alexander the Great and King Darius III of Persia. Taking place near the…
Read article →The Battle of Aornos
The Battle of AornosThe Battle of Aornos was fought in 327 BCE during Alexander the Great’s campaign in the Indian subcontinent. The engagement took place at a formidable mountain…
Read article →Balkan campaign of Alexander the Great
The Balkan Campaign of Alexander the Great The Balkan campaign of Alexander the Great took place in 335 BCE, shortly after he ascended the throne of Macedon. Although often oversha…
Read article →Battle of Chaeronea
The Battle of Chaeronea The Battle of Chaeronea, fought in 338 BCE, was a decisive confrontation between the forces of Macedon, led by King Philip II and his son Alexander, and a c…
Read article →The Cophen campaign
The Cophen Campaign The Cophen Campaign formed part of Alexander the Great’s eastern campaigns during his advance into the Indian subcontinent in 327 BCE. Named after the Cophen Ri…
Read article →The Siege of Cyropolis
The Siege of Cyropolis The Siege of Cyropolis was one of the most significant engagements of Alexander the Great’s Central Asian campaign, fought in 329 BCE. Cyropolis, believed to…
Read article →The siege of Gaza
The Siege of Gaza The Siege of Gaza, fought in 332 BCE, was a significant episode in Alexander the Great’s campaign against the Persian Empire. Taking place during his advance alon…
Read article →Battle of the Granicus
The Battle of the Granicus The Battle of the Granicus, fought in 334 BCE, was the first major engagement of Alexander the Great’s campaign against the Persian Empire. Taking place…
Read article →Siege of Halicarnassus
The Siege of Halicarnassus The Siege of Halicarnassus, fought in 334 BCE, was one of the earliest major operations in Alexander the Great’s campaign against the Persian Empire. Fol…
Read article →The Battle of the Hydaspes
The Battle of the Hydaspes The Battle of the Hydaspes, fought in 326 BCE, was one of the most challenging and dramatic engagements of Alexander the Great’s eastern campaign. The ba…
Read article →The Battle of Jaxartes
The Battle of the Jaxartes The Battle of the Jaxartes, fought in 329 BCE, was a significant engagement during Alexander the Great’s Central Asian campaign. Taking place along the R…
Read article →The Mallian campaign
The Mallian Campaign The Mallian Campaign was one of the final and most perilous episodes of Alexander the Great’s eastern expedition, fought in 325 BCE during his return from the…
Read article →The siege of Miletus
The Siege of Miletus The Siege of Miletus, fought in 334 BCE, was one of the earliest major operations in Alexander the Great’s campaign against the Persian Empire. Taking place sh…
Read article →The siege of Pelium
The Siege of Pelium The Siege of Pelium, fought in 335 BCE, was a critical early episode in the reign of Alexander the Great. Taking place shortly after his accession to the Macedo…
Read article →The Battle of the Persian Gate
The Battle of the Persian Gate The Battle of the Persian Gate, fought in 330 BCE, was one of the most dramatic and difficult engagements of Alexander the Great’s campaign against t…
Read article →The Sogdian Rock
The Sogdian Rock The capture of the Sogdian Rock in 327 BCE was one of the most remarkable episodes of Alexander the Great’s campaign in Central Asia. Taking place during his effor…
Read article →The Battle of Thebes
The Battle of Thebes The Battle of Thebes, fought in 335 BCE, was a decisive and dramatic episode early in the reign of Alexander the Great. Occurring shortly after he succeeded hi…
Read article →The siege of Tyre
The Siege of Tyre The Siege of Tyre, fought in 332 BCE, was one of the most remarkable and demanding operations of Alexander the Great’s campaign against the Persian Empire. Lastin…
Read article →The Battle of Uxian Defile
The Battle of the Uxian Defile The Battle of the Uxian Defile, fought in 330 BCE, was a significant yet often overlooked episode in Alexander the Great’s campaign through the Persi…
Read article →King Leonidas I
King Leonidas I King Leonidas I was one of the most celebrated figures of ancient Greece, renowned for his leadership and sacrifice at the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BCE. As a ki…
Read article →Miltiades
Miltiades I Miltiades I was an early Athenian nobleman and ruler associated with the Athenian presence in the Thracian Chersonese during the sixth century BCE. Although far less fa…
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