Boston - It was not poison or malaria that killed Alexander the Great. The man whose ancient empire ranged from Egypt to India probably died of typhoid fever, according to a report by a research team in the New England Journal of Medicine.
The death of Alexander the Great at the age of 33 has long been shrouded in mystery. Various historical versions agree that the Macedonian king who conquered much of the ancient known world died after returning to Babylon where he attended several banquets and drank a great deal of wine.
The disease that seems to fit best is typhoid fever, which comes from contaminated food or drinking water, or is spread by poor hygiene, according to researchers from University of Maryland School of Medicine, working with historians.