**Alexander III of Macedon** (Ancient Greek: Ἀλέξανδρος, romanized: *Alexandros*; 20/21 July 356 BC – 10/11 June 323 BC), commonly known as **Alexander the Great**,[a] was a king of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon.[a] He succeeded his father Philip II to the throne in 336 BC at the age of 20, and spent most of his ruling years conducting a lengthy military campaign throughout Western Asia and Egypt. By the age of 30, he had created one of the largest empires in history, stretching from Greece to northwestern India.[2] He was undefeated in battle and is widely considered to be one of history's greatest and most successful military commanders.[3][4] 