What Killed Alexander the Great?

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?

[erih]

Looking at the successors, their abilities and huge egos it becomes clear that Alexander must have been an extraordinary personality to have been able to lead them with as few rebellions as we saw. This probably impresses me even more than his military record.

[TorvusVae]

If you haven't already, I'd love a video about the cult of Alexander in the Hellenistic era

[nubber]

You guys should do one on Philip, about him coming to power, and then expanding Macedon and the military reforms he implemented

[HistoryandHeadlines]

If Alexander the Great lived longer, would he have conquered more, eventually been defeated, or consolidated what he already had conquered? Also, would his empire have survived longer if he had an adult son to succeed him?

[epluribusunum]

Mary Renault wrote a wonderful novel about Alexander, called “The Persian Boy”.

[juancana]

21:31 As a retired clinician, I strongly assume someone in a coma, theoretically, for week in an arid climate and without being provided redehydration would very likely be dead from dehydration and hypothermia from the cool desert nights.

[artawhirler]

We don't even know what Jane Austen died from, and she was in an English speaking country just a couple of centuries ago.

[liamobrien]

"Tyrant they yell so easily, I laugh, no tyrant ever gave back so much."

[quintuscrinis]

I know its a small thing but thank you for using the historically recorded last words of Caesar in the Greek rather than the Shakeksperean. 10:39

[Alexander-kjbk]

Make a documentary about Alexander the Great family after Alexander's death, including wife, mother, sister, children, and brother

[jordanB]

If anyone has not yet heard Alexander the Great’s speech to his men when they wanted to disband. Then I highly suggest finding the time to listen to it. It’ll make you feel like you can conquer the world and more.

[rodeastell]

Great video and very interesting ... thanks for posting.

[PakaBubi]

probably his body is under a carpark ...

[wilsontheconqueror]

By the time he reached India his with allied troops Alexander's army must have been massive! Still his battles there at the Hydapsis turned the soldiers against any further campaigning Eastward. His desire & drive to military campaigning was enormous! And his officers & soldiers were probably beginning to believe Alexander was a little yoo hoo in the head!😅 In Oliver Stones movie about Alexander he portrays his death as a result of his officer class & nobility poisoning Alexander because of his obsession with continuing expansion & the military campaigns it would require. I think Stones portrayal is a fair possibility. Or either Malaria. Or just a combination of infections from his wore out body. Alexander had a fair amount of battle wounds. Its not surprising he died at 32. What is surprising is that he made it to 32!

[gonefishing]

Really good, thank you. For all these years I thought I knew about Alexander and I never knew he was married! I knew he had ‘ companions’ amongst his soldiers but not the wife bit and not a child/ children bit! We really do learn something every day. What happened to his children . Ooh, I’ve been to Saqquara! I didn’t trip over him 🙏🙏🙏👵🇦🇺

[Tadicuslegion]

And all the diseases, infections, war wounds, and physical exhaustion from nonstop war

[austin]

This is a much more interesting video than the title would lead you to believe

[Maccus]

Omg I love your videos I'm aiming to be a classical historian just like you. Thank you for sharing such precious knowledge about one of the greatest man in history

[jonerlandson]

do you have any idea how long that guy partied?....

[annwilliams]

From his extremes in the way he treated conquered peoples, as well as from the written record of his drinking, I think he was a serious alcoholic. His liver was probably trashed even by this stage, so any illness or lingering injury (even if not major) could have caused his liver to shut down.