Alexander the Great forged one of the largest empires of ancient history. But his early death, aged 32, ensured that it came crashing down within decades of his passing. In many ways, the story of this extraordinary conqueror’s early demise is more fascinating than that of his life.
Over the years, lots of legendary stories became closely entwined with Alexander’s early death, written centuries after his passing by those eager to mythologise his story with an abundance of romantic, wondrous tales. So what’s the fact and what’s the fiction? Did Alexander die of illness? Or was it murder? And did he really leave his empire ‘to the strongest’.
History Hit’s Tristan Hughes tells the story of Alexander the Great’s final days and addresses some of the myths around his passing. He also examines the aftermath of Alexander’s death and how this conqueror’s corpse ultimately ended up in Egypt.
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00:00 Introduction
00:51 Who Was Alexander the Great?
03:27 Alexander's Future Plans
05:55 The Last Days of Alexander the Great
11:16 What Did Alexander the Great Die Of?
14:54 Did Alexander Leave a Will?
16:27 The Babylon Crisis
23:07 Alexander the Great's Funeral Carriage
25:55 The Heist
29:45 Where Was Alexander the Great Buried?