By the time of his death in Babylon on June 10, 323 BC, Alexander the Great had conquered more than two million square miles and was only thirty-two years of age. He was an intrepid Macedonian warrior, superb strategist and masterful diplomat. He accepted and respected other peoples, cultures, treated women with respect, and was exceptionally considerate of the disabled. He loved animals, large and small, domesticated and wild. His legacy is felt all over the world. This slim volume serves as an introduction to Alexander, hoping to whet your appetite and lure you into a more extensive and deeper investigation of the questions that still resonate from his meteoric rise and mysterious demise. What follows is a lyrical biography -- the first poem covering his life from birth to death since the nineteenth century. The poem is simple and unadorned, readable and rooted in historical research. It was written for curious teenagers as well as lifelong learners.

Christine O'Brien earned an honors degree in classical civilization from Boston College. This epic poem constitutes her literary debut.