Having an heir is one of the keys to ruling a successful empire in ancient times, all great legacies are carried on by the heirs of great kings and queens.  Alexander father (Philip II), and his Grandfather (Amyntas IV) were both kings of Macedonia. An heir was the top priority of new ruling king, kings would go to extreme lengths to have an heir to carry on the family legacy and rule for all time. Macedonia was no different, an heir was important to Alexander the Great however many historians believe that it wasn’t the top priority on his list. When Alexander took over as king of Macedonia, his father was killed as a result of an assassination. An assassination was bad news for Alexander because he was one of many that wanted to assume control of the kingdom. Thanks to his experience as the leader of the cavalry since he was 17, he automatically had the support of the men he fought with. He quickly suppressed all other claims to the throne by killing the leader of the assassination, and then having his mother kill his half-sister. This course of events leads to alexander having a conquering mood to his reign. Once he consolidated power he was always on the move, he was constantly conquering small areas at a time starting with places surrounding Macedonia in Greece and across the black sea.