Alexander the Great, who lived from July 356 BC to June 323 BC, was an intrepid conqueror and one of the most brilliant military generals in history.
More importantly, however, he laid the cultural foundations for the establishment of the ancient Hellenistic world, all the way from Alexandria in Egypt to the borders of India.
By his own admission, Alexander endeavored to conquer lands all the way to the “ends of the world and the Great Outer Sea.” He and his legions invaded India in the year 326 BC, winning an important victory over the Pauravas at the Battle of the Hydaspes.
However, after years of never-ending war across the Near East, the mighty general finally made his way back home at the demand of his homesick troops.
Alexander the Great died in Babylon, the city which he planned to establish as his capital, in 323 BC before he could execute a series of planned campaigns that would have begun with an invasion of Arabia.
Before his untimely death, the son of Philip of Macedon founded some twenty cities which bore his name, most notably Alexandria in Egypt. Alexander’s policy of settling Greek colonists in conquered lands and cities, and the resulting spread of Greek culture in the East, resulted in a new Hellenistic civilization.
Here are some of the most important cities he founded across the known world of the time
Alexandria, Egypt
Alexandria Arachosia, Afghanistan
Alexandria Ariana, Afghanistan
Alexandria Bucephalous, Pakistan
Ai-Khanoum (or Alexandria on the Oxus), Afghanistan
Qalatga Darband, Iraq
Iskenderun, Turkey
Gaza City, Palestine
Alexandria on the Caucasus, Afghanistan
