Final answer:
Alexander the Great established control over a vast empire through a mix of military conquest, cultural integration, and political alliances. He led from the front in battles and incorporated Persian customs, expanding his empire beyond the borders of Persia. Alexanders's untimely death led to a power vacuum and subsequent wars among his generals.
Step-by-step explanation:
Alexander the Great ruled his expanding empire with a combination of military strategy, political savvy, and cultural assimilation. By 334 BCE, he had secured control over Greece and set forth on his father's mission to conquer Persia with a formidable yet smaller army compared to the Persians. He was known for leading his cavalry into battle, which inspired loyalty among his men.
Upon his conquest, Alexander practiced a policy of integrating cultures, adopting Persian customs, and offering concessions to those who surrendered, eventually declaring Babylon as his capital. His ambition, however, was never fully satisfied, as he continued to conquer lands beyond the existing borders of his empire. In doing so, Alexander created a hybrid culture, combining Greek and local elements, evident in the establishment of cities like Alexandria in Egypt.
Alexander's empire spanned from Greece to India, but after reaching the Indus River valley, his troops, worn out from long campaigns and laden with riches, refused to continue. His return to Babylon was arduous, and he died shortly after in 323 BCE at the age of thirty-three. Alexander's death led to a struggle for power amongst his generals, as he left no clear successor.