Answer :
Final answer:
Alexander the Great, the son of Philip II, was the Greek ruler who defeated the Persians and spread Hellenism throughout the ancient world. His victories at the battles of Issus and Gaugamela led to the control of the Persian throne and the Hellenistic cultural expansion.
Explanation:
The ruler of the Greeks who defeated the Persians and has been credited with spreading Hellenism throughout the world was Alexander the Great. Succeeding his father Philip II, Alexander wasted no time in implementing his father's plans to wage war against Persia. He scored decisive victories in the battles of Issus (333 BCE) and Gaugamela (330 BCE). After the assassination of the Persian king Darius III, Alexander not only claimed the Persian throne but also continued his conquests deeper into central Asia and India, which contributed to the spread of Greek culture during the Hellenistic Era.
Following Alexander's death in 323 BCE, his empire was divided among his generals, a period marked by the exchange and interaction between Greek and local cultures across the extensive territories that had previously been part of the Persian Empire. This cultural blending resulted in a distinct 'Greek-like', or Hellenistic, society. Therefore, the correct answer to the student's question is B. Alexander the Great.
