Alexander the Great

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Although Alexander the Great is not mentioned directly in the Bible, it is strongly believed that "the large horn that is between the eyes of the male goat" in Daniel 8:21, and the "mighty king" in the vision of Daniel 11:3-4, refer to him.

Alexander was the son of Philip II (King of Macedon) and founder of the Hellenistic (Greek) Empire.

He was born in 356 B.C. and ascended the Macedonian throne in 336 B.C. Advised by his teacher Aristotle that he could rule the world if he could make people adopt the Greek culture, Alexander extended his empire east from Greece, around the Mediterranean Sea to Egypt and then to the borders of India.

He died in Babylon in 323 B.C. at the age of 33. Because he did not leave an heir who could continue his reign, Alexander's three generals divided his kingdom.

Alexander encouraged Jews to settle in Alexandria, a city named after himself. He founded it after conquering Egypt. It was at Alexandria that a Greek translation of the Old Testament, known as the Septuagint was developed.

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