July 20 is the birthdate of Alexander the Great, king (“basileus”) of Macedon in northern ancient Greece. He was tutored by Aristotle until he was 16. By age 30, he had created one of the largest empires of the ancient world, ranging from Greece to Egypt to the Himalayas, and was undefeated in battle. He was short and stocky, with one green eye and one brown. He was dead at age 32. Pictured: detail of the stunning Alexander Mosaic (ca. 100 BC) from Pompeii, showing Alexander on his horse, Bucephalus, which he tamed at age 13.
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