Becoming king of a small state at the age of twenty, Alexander the Great (356-323 BC) owned a great empire by the age of thirty. Convinced of his divine mission, he became a legend during his lifetime. The Macedonian conqueror paved the way for the birth of a unique cultural tradition that absorbed the achievements of three continents. The image of the invincible Alexander served as an example for subsequent creators of world history, and scientists are still scratching their heads over the mysteries of his enduring victories. From a young age, Alexander the Great competed in valor and power with the heroes of ancient Greek myths, and at the end of his life he was recognized as a living god on earth.