Alexander III of Macedon 356 323 BCE Russian version Alexander III of Macedon 356 323 BCE Alexander was the son of King Philip II of Macedon The Macedonians claimed descent from the hero Heracles son of Zeus They considered themselves Hellenes Philip who came to the throne in 360 BCE did much to promote Macedon s stature He patronised the arts stimulated the economy and organised an unprecedented strong professional army In his reign Macedon became the greatest power in the region He united the whole of Greece and he placed the previously autonomous Greek city states under his rule in the Pan Hellenic League He married a series of princesses from the defeated territories for political motives seeking to assure himself of their allegiance Alexander s mother Princess Olympias of Epirus was the fourth of Philip s seven wives