As the son of King Philip II of Macedon, Alexander received a rigorous education under the guidance of the renowned philosopher Aristotle. Aristotle instilled in Alexander a love for learning, philosophy, and the arts. He also fostered a sense of ambition and encouraged his pupil to seek greatness.

Furthermore, Alexander grew up in a time when the Greek city-states were engaged in constant conflict and rivalry. He witnessed the military achievements of his father and became familiar with the concept of empire-building and expanding the influence of Macedon.

After the assassination of his father in 336 BCE, Alexander ascended to the throne at the age of 20. He immediately embarked on a campaign to secure his position and assert his authority. It is believed that his desire for conquest was driven by a combination of personal ambition, the desire to emulate his heroes such as Achilles and Heracles, and a vision of uniting the known world under Greek culture and civilization.

Throughout his military campaigns, Alexander demonstrated exceptional leadership, strategic brilliance, and a talent for inspiring loyalty among his troops. His conquests expanded the Macedonian Empire to its greatest extent, encompassing much of the known world at that time.

While there were instances where Alexander employed psychological tactics to motivate and inspire his soldiers, such as leading by example and sharing in their hardships, there is no evidence to support the claim that he was brainwashed or manipulated to become a conqueror. His actions and accomplishments were the result of his own ambition, strategic acumen, and the circumstances of his time.