Dictionaries :: Alexander III

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Alexander III:

(helper of men- brave) king of Macedon, surnamed the Great, the son of Philip and Olympias, was born at Pella B.C. 356, and succeeded his father. (B.C. 336) Two years afterwards he crossed the Hellespont. (B.C. 334) to carry out the plans of his father and execute the mission of Greece to the civilized world. He subjugated Syria and Palestine. (B.C. 334‐332) Egypt next submitted to him B.C. 332, and in this year he founded Alexandria. In the same year he finally defeated Darius at Gaugamela, who in B.C. 330 was murdered. The next two years were occupied by Alexander in the consolidation of his Persian conquests and the reduction of Bactria. In B.C. 327 he crossed the Indus; turning westward he reached Susa (B.C. 325) and proceeded to Babylon (B.C. 324) which he chose as the capital of his empire. In the next year (B.C. 323) he died there of intemperance, at the early age of 32, in the midst of his gigantic plans; and those who inherited his conquests left his designs unachieved and unattempted (cf. Daniel 7:6; 8:5; 11:3). Alexander is intended in Daniel 2:39 and also Daniel 7:6; 8:5-7; 11:3-4 the latter indicating the rapidity of his conquests and his power. He ruled with great dominion, and did according to his will (Daniel 11:3). "and there was none that could deliver…. out of his hand." (Daniel 8:7).