Alexander III of Macedon, also known as Alexander the Great who became king upon his father's death in 336 BC and subsequently conquered most of the known world of his time. He was known as 'great' both for his military genius and his diplomatic skills in handling the various populations in the areas he conquered. He is also credited with starting the Hellenistic era from Greece throughout Asia Minor, Egypt and to India. He died of unknown causes in 323 BC without naming a successor, and the.