Alexander the Great is one of the most famous figures in history. Today our guest, Edmund Richardson, takes us back to see him in the year 331 BCE – the remarkable year when Alexander's story transformed from the impressive into the truly spectacular.

At the beginning of 331, many of those in Alexander's army might have supposed that it was time to return to Macedon after a successful campaign on the coast of the Mediterranean. Instead, Alexander founded a city in his own name on the northern coast of Egypt, struck out to consult the oracle at Amun, then turned back to meet his great enemy, King Darius of Persia, in one of the greatest battles in history. Gaugamela. 

The scenes, characters and storylines in this episode of Travels Through Time all feature in Edmund Richardson's book, Alexander: God, King, Man.

Scene One: The foundation of Alexandria in Egypt. 

Scene Two: Alexander journeys to the oracle of Amun.

Scene Three: Alexander's defeat of Darius at Gaugamela.

Memento: The Iliad of the Casket.

Presenter: Peter Moore 

Guest: Edmund Richardson

Producer: Maria Nolan

Theme music: Firelight by Minka

Partner: ACE Cultural Tours.