Alexander's beauty, strength and defiance were apparent from birth, but his boyh
ood honed those gifts into the makings of a king. His mother, Olympias, and his
father, King Philip of Macedon, fought each other for their son's loyalty, teach
ing Alexander politics and vengeance from the cradle. His love for the youth Hep
haistion taught him trust, while Aristotle's tutoring provoked his mind and Home
r's Iliad fuelled his aspirations.
