Alexander the Great Family Tree: The Story Behind Antiquity's Greatest Conqueror

Alexander III of Macedon, born 20 or 21 July 356 BC in Pella, Kingdom of Macedon, was King of Macedon (336–323 BC), King of Persia (330–323 BC), and Pharaoh of Egypt (332–323 BC) — built one of the largest empires in ancient history, stretching from Greece to India, by age 30. He died 10 or 11 June 323 BC in Babylon, age 32, after a 12-day fever.

The Family's Roots: The Argead Dynasty of Macedon

The Argead dynasty ruled Macedon from c. 700 BC. The family claimed descent from Heracles (through Temenus) and the legendary Argos in the Peloponnese.

His Parents

Father: Philip II of Macedon (382–336 BC) — King of Macedon from 359 BC; transformed Macedon into a regional military superpower; defeated the Greek city-states at Chaeronea (338 BC); assassinated October 336 BC at his daughter Cleopatra's wedding, by his bodyguard Pausanias.

Mother: Olympias of Epirus (c. 375–316 BC) — princess of Epirus; daughter of King Neoptolemus I of Epirus; intensely devoted to Alexander; politically dangerous; executed after his death.

His Half-Siblings

Philip II had at least seven wives. Alexander's half-siblings included:

Philip III Arrhidaeus (c. 359–317 BC) — half-brother (mother Philinna of Larissa); king after Alexander's death (briefly); mentally impaired; murdered at age 42.

Cleopatra of Macedon (c. 354–308 BC) — full sister of Alexander; married her uncle Alexander I of Epirus.

Cynane — half-sister (mother Audata); warrior princess.

Thessalonike of Macedon — half-sister; later founded the city named after her.

Caranus — half-brother (mother Cleopatra Eurydice); killed in 336 BC.

His Wives

Roxana of Bactria (c. 343–310 BC) — Bactrian princess; married 327 BC; mother of Alexander IV.

Stateira II (c. 351–323 BC) — daughter of Darius III of Persia; married 324 BC at Susa.

Parysatis II — daughter of Artaxerxes III; married 324 BC at Susa.

His Son

Alexander IV of Macedon (323–309 BC) — Alexander the Great's only child; born August 323 BC after his father's death; nominal king of Macedon; murdered around age 13 by Cassander.

The Argead Family Tree at a Glance

Family Origins: Argead dynasty of Macedon; claimed descent from Heracles.

Father: Philip II of Macedon (382–336 BC) — assassinated October 336 BC.

Mother: Olympias of Epirus (c. 375–316 BC) — executed 316 BC.

Half-siblings: Philip III Arrhidaeus; Cleopatra of Macedon; Cynane; Thessalonike; Caranus.

Wives: Roxana (m. 327 BC); Stateira II (m. 324 BC); Parysatis II (m. 324 BC).

Son: Alexander IV (323–309 BC) — murdered as a child.

Tutor: Aristotle (343–340 BC).

Closest companion: Hephaestion (d. 324 BC).

Alexander III the Great:

  • Born 20/21 July 356 BC, Pella
  • Tutored by Aristotle from age 13 (343–340 BC)
  • Acted as regent for Philip II from age 16
  • Battle of Chaeronea (338 BC): led the cavalry charge at age 18
  • King of Macedon from October 336 BC (age 20, after Philip's assassination)
  • Crossed into Asia: 334 BC with ~50,000 troops
  • Battle of Granicus (334 BC), Battle of Issus (333 BC), Siege of Tyre (332 BC), Battle of Gaugamela (1 October 331 BC) — defeated Darius III
  • Pharaoh of Egypt (332 BC); founded Alexandria (331 BC)
  • King of Persia (330 BC, after Darius's murder)
  • Campaign in India: Battle of the Hydaspes (326 BC) vs Porus
  • Mutiny at the Hyphasis (326 BC): army refused to advance further east; turned back
  • Death of Hephaestion (324 BC): traumatic loss for Alexander
  • Died 10/11 June 323 BC, Babylon, age 32 (cause disputed: fever, poison, alcoholism, or undiagnosed disease)
  • His empire was divided by his Diadochi generals into the Hellenistic kingdoms (Ptolemaic Egypt, Seleucid Persia, Antigonid Macedon)

What the Argead Family Story Teaches Us

A warrior-king father assassinated at his daughter's wedding. A politically lethal mother. Seven half-siblings, several murdered. Three wives. One posthumous son murdered as a child. A career that conquered the known world by age 30 — and an empire that did not survive his early death.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Alexander story carries the same lesson. Some family lines extinguish themselves through internal violence. The Argead dynasty had four members murdered within two generations of Alexander's death. Write down which family lines ended — and why. The why matters as much as the genealogy.

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