Was Alexander the Great Murdered? 7 Shocking Theories on His 323 BC Death

The Babylon Banquet: When a God Fell Ill

In June of 323 BC, Alexander the Great—king of Macedonia, conqueror of Persia, pharaoh

of Egypt, and self-proclaimed son of Zeus—died at the age of 32 in the ancient city of

Babylon. Just days before his death, he had celebrated one of his many victories with a

lavish banquet. The next morning, he awoke with a fever and soon found himself bedridden,

unable to speak or move. After 12 agonizing days, the greatest general the ancient world

had ever seen was dead.

But what truly killed him? More than 2,000 years later, the answer remains shrouded in

mystery.

The Unfading Corpse: A Sign from the Gods?

One of the strangest facts surrounding Alexander’s death was the state of his body.

According to historical sources like Plutarch and Diodorus, Alexander's body showed no

signs of decomposition for nearly a week after his death. His followers believed it was proof

of his divinity. However, modern scholars propose something else entirely: that Alexander

may not have been dead at all.

Some believe he had a rare neurological condition like Guillain-Barré Syndrome, which could

have left him paralyzed and unable to speak while still alive. Ancient doctors, lacking modern

tools, might have mistakenly declared him dead.

Poison Plot: Was It an Inside Job?

Poison has long been a favorite theory among those suspicious of Alexander's sudden

illness. It was whispered even during his lifetime that he had too many enemies close by.

The leading suspect? Antipater, the regent of Macedonia. His son Cassander would later

become king after eliminating Alexander's heirs. Some historians suggest they feared

Alexander’s growing favor toward Persian customs and wanted to restore Greek dominance.

If poison was used, it might have been hellebore, a plant known in antiquity for its

slow-acting, deadly effects. It would explain why Alexander remained sick for days rather

than dying immediately.

Typhoid Fever: The Most Likely Culprit?

Dr. David Oldach and his team of medical historians believe Alexander died of typhoid fever,

which was common in Babylon at the time. The symptoms match: high fever, abdominal

pain, and delirium.

Typhoid also causes gut perforation and sepsis, conditions that could last days before killing

the patient. This theory gains weight from records stating Alexander drank large amounts of

wine, had intense abdominal pain, and gradually lost consciousness.

West Nile Virus or Malaria?

Other modern scholars argue Alexander may have been struck down by malaria or the West

Nile Virus. Babylon was marshy and filled with mosquitoes—the perfect breeding ground for

disease.

In 2003, Dr. Paul Marr suggested Alexander may have caught the West Nile virus, which can

lead to paralysis, fever, and death. Like typhoid and Guillain-Barré, it would explain both the

neurological and physical symptoms described in ancient texts.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome: A Living Death

New Zealand pathologist Dr. Katherine Hall made headlines in 2018 when she proposed that

Alexander had Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a rare autoimmune disorder. It causes muscle

weakness, paralysis, and eventually shuts down the lungs and heart.

She suggests that Alexander was not dead when declared so, but trapped inside a

paralyzed body. This would also explain why his corpse did not decompose

immediately—because he was still alive for several days.

Alcohol, Pancreatitis & Sudden Collapse

Another theory suggests Alexander died from acute pancreatitis, triggered by excessive

alcohol consumption. He was known for heavy drinking and frequent feasts. One account

tells of him downing a massive bowl of wine, followed by a sharp cry and immediate pain.

Pancreatitis could cause a slow, excruciating death with fever, abdominal pain, and eventual

organ failure. It remains one of the more medically consistent explanations, though it's often

overlooked.

Power Vacuum: Who Benefited from His Death?

Regardless of the cause, Alexander’s death created a massive political vacuum. Within

days, his generals (the Diadochi) began dividing the empire. Wars broke out. His wife

Roxana and their son were eventually murdered. Cassander, the same man suspected in

the poisoning, seized power.

Whether by illness, poison, or divine fate, Alexander’s death marked the fall of an empire

built on charisma, conquest, and ambition.

The Mystery Endures: Another Chapter in Hidden History

The question remains: how does a man who conquered the known world die in silence,

without a clear cause?

Just as Genghis Khan’s tomb remains hidden and guarded by legend (see Episode 1: The

Secret Burial of Genghis Khan), Alexander’s death continues to captivate and confuse. It

may never be solved, but its echoes still shape how we view history, mortality, and power.

Curious about another buried mystery? Read Episode 1: The Secret Burial of Genghis Khan.