Michelangelo - 'The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection.'

Michelangelo (1475-1564)

Michelangelo Buonarroti was born on 6th March 1475 in Caprese, Italy. A few weeks after his birth his family moved to Florence.

In 1488 he became an apprentice to the painter Domenico Ghirlandaio. He then lived in the household of Lorenzo de' Medici, the leading patron of the arts and ruler of Florence. In 1496, the Medici were expelled from Florence, Michelangelo then travelled to Bologna and then Rome.In 1497, he was able to make a name for himself after his 'Pieta'. He then returned to Florence. Here produced one of his most famous pieces, 'David' 1501-1504.

He was recalled to Rome in 1505 by Pope Julius II to design Julius' tomb. However, the project was never completed because of quarrels between Julius and Michelangelo, and other projects he had going on at the sametime. Michelangelo was later commissioned to do the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican (1508-1512).

The new Pope, Leo X, commissioned Michelangelo to rebuild the facade of the church of San Lorenzo in Florence. However, it was later abandoned, but it was the beginning of Michelangelo's activities as a architect. Michelangelo also designed monuments to Giuliano and Lorenzo de Medici in the Medici Chapel in San Lorenzo. 

Michelangelo making
'David' 1501-1504

In 1534, Michelangelo returned to Rome, he was then commissioned to paint 'The Last Judgement' on the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel (1537-1541). In 1546 he worked on the great church of St. Peter's.

He the died in Rome on 18th February 1564.

Alexander the Great "There is nothing impossible to him who tries."

Alexander the Great
(356-145 BCE)

Alexander was born in Pella, the Capital of Macedonia in July 356 BCE. His parents were Philip II of Macedon and Olympias. He was educated by the Philosopher Aristotle. 

His father was assassinated in 336 BCE and Alexander became Alexander III of Macedon. After Alexander dealt with the problems in Macedon and reasserted Macedonian power within Hellas (Greece). He set out to conquer the Persian Empire. 

Against the odds, he led his army to victories across Persian territories of Asia Minor, Syria and Egypt, without any defeat. In 331 BCE, the young Alexander was able to achieve being King of Macedonia, leader of Hellenes (Greeks), overlord of Asia Minor and Pharaoh of Egypt became 'Great King' of Persia at the age of 25.

There is nothing impossible
to him who tries.
- Alexander

Within the next 8 years, Alexander led his army a further 11,000 miles, discovering over 70 cities and creating an empire over 3 continents, which were linked by a international network of trade and commerce. All this was united under the Hellenes language and culture, while adapted within individual customs in order to rule millions.

However, Alexander died of a fever in Babylon on June 323 BCE. His death sparked a huge power struggle. Macedonia had a bloody civil war with those who wished for control of the Empire. Hellas rebelled against Macedonia and expelled them from Hellas. The Macedonian Empire was eventually split into main kingdoms and with the rise of Rome ended the Macedonian kingdom when both Macedonia and Hellas were conquered in 167/145 BCE.

Julius Caesar - "I Came, I Saw, I Conquered!"

"Veni, Vidi, Vici" - Caesar

Julius Caesar born in Rome 12th or 13th of July 100 BCE into the Julian clan. 

Caesar became a politician and general of the Late Roman Republic, who raised himself in the political system. Greatly expanding the Roman Empire in doing so.

Succeed in became a Quaestor in 69, Aedile in 65 and Praetor in 62. In 61-60 BCE he served as the governor of Spain. On his return to Rome in 60, Caesar, Pompey and Crassus joined together in a political pact, the Triumvirate.

Giving him the opportunity to gain the Consulship in 59 BCE. In the following year he was appointed as the governor of Gaul (France), staying for eight years. He reduced the possibility of a Gallic invasion and revolt. He also attempted two expeditions to Britain in 55 and 54 BCE.

He returned to Rome without disbanding his army and starting a civil war. After Caesar defeated the republican forces, Pompey, their leader, fled to Egypt where he was assassinated. 

Assassination of Caesar

Caesar then became the master of Rome and made himself consul and dictator. He used his newfound political powers to carry out some radical reforms. Although, a dictatorship is normally a temporary position. In 44 BCE, Caesar took it up for life, in doing so he alienated the Republican Senators. A group of the senate assassinated Caesar on the 15th March 44 BCE in the Theatre of Pompey. 

With his assassination, sparked another civil war that ends the Republic and started the imperial system with Caesar's nephew and adopted son Octavian, as Augustus on becoming the first Emperor of Roman Empire.