Today marks the anniversary of the passing of one of history's most influential figures: Alexander the Great. Over two thousand years ago, between the evenings of June 10th and 11th, 323 BC, the world learned of his untimely demise. Within the opulent walls of Nebuchadnezzar II's palace in Babylon, the young king, a mere thirty-two years old, breathed his last.
His sudden death sent shockwaves throughout the known world. Alexander, King of Macedonia and architect of the Hellenic League, had united Greeks and ushered in an era of unprecedented cultural exchange. News of his passing was met with profound grief. Greeks and Assyrians alike openly mourned, their tears a testament to the unifying force Alexander embodied. Even amongst the conquered Achaemenid Persians, there was widespread mourning, with many shaving their heads in a display of grief. The depth of their sorrow is perhaps best illustrated by the fate of Sisygambis, mother of the defeated Persian king Darius III. Overwhelmed by the loss of the man who had treated her with respect and kindness, she refused sustenance and followed Alexander in death a few short days later.
While the world mourned, the question surrounding the cause of Alexander's death lingered. Even now, millennia later, the answer remains elusive. Theories abound, ranging from liver disease, a consequence of his legendary lifestyle, to poisoning at the hands of a rival. Some scholars point to typhoid fever, a common ailment at the time. Yet, despite extensive speculation, Alexander's true cause of death remains shrouded in mystery, a final enigma in the life of a man who redefined the ancient world.
Today, we remember Alexander not only for his military genius and ambition but also for the indelible mark he left on history. He forged a new world, one where cultures intertwined and knowledge flowed freely. His legacy continues to inspire, a testament to the power of vision, determination, and the enduring impact of a single life.
