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Alexander III (The Great) 351-323 B.C. was the son of Philip II of Macedonia who conquered the Grecian States at Choeronea (Boeotia) in 338 B.C. While attempting to liberate Greek colonies from Persian rule in 336, he was assassinated at the age of 47 & his son Alexander took over.
Alexander had been a pupil of Aristotle at 13 years of age but the tutorship lasted only 3 years. He became king of Macedonia at 20 years of age. Aristotle was a friend & counselor of Alexander presumably until about 327 B.C.
Alexander undertook vast military campaigns throughout Asia Minor & as far east as India. Throughout this period he sent plants to the Lyceum. For this purpose on his conquests, he included root diggers on the expeditions. The properties of these plants probably were known to the root diggers prior to the beginning of scientific medicine.
Various rites were connected with plant collections & superstitions relative to their collection. The diggers gathered & tested roots, stems, leaves, flowers, & fruits while various schools of philosophy were devising theories as to their use.
Alexander died in 323 B.C. as a result of a fever in Babylon.
