[hbshizzles]

• people of history: roxana

Roxana was believed to have been born before 343 BC, but the year has still yet to be determined. Her father was a minor Bactrian baron named Oxyartes of Balkh in Bactria (around modern day Balkh province of Afghanistan). 

At the age of 16 in 327 BC, Roxana married Alexander the Great after he visited the fortress of Sogdian Rock despite the strong disapproval from his generals and companions. 

In 323 BC after Alexander’s sudden death in Babylon, she gave birth to a son named Alexander IV Aegus. 

After Alexander’s sudden death as well, Roxana murdered Alexander’s other wife, Stateira II and her sister Drypetis (wife of Alexander’s most trusted general and friend, as well as possible lover, Hephaestion)  or Parysatis II (his third wife). 

Roxana, along with her son, were protected by Alexander’s mother, Olympias, in Macedonia. Olympias’ assassination in 316 BC allowed Cassander, one of Alexander’s generals, to seek kingship of Macedonia. 

Alexander IV Aegus being the legitimate son and heir to Alexander’s empire, Cassander ordered for him and Roxana to be assassinated in 310 BC.