After Alexander's father, King Philip of Macedon, is assassinated, Alexander become king of Macedon and a troubled empire. He must first solidify his Greek base and get control of his impetuous mother, Queen Olympias. He then begins one of the greatest epic journeys of military conquest in the history of western civilization. He campaign takes him to the mighty Persian Empire, where he encounters Great King Darius. However, Alexander's greatest enemy is himself. He is haunted by his father's death and his spiritual lineage. Uncut red wine, consumed in monumental drinking bouts, eventually alters his youthful appearance and erodes his character.