What relation was Olympias to Alexander the Great?

Olympias was the mother of Alexander the Great, playing a significant role in his early life and education. She was a member of the royal family of Epirus and was married to King Philip II of Macedon. Her influence on Alexander was profound, as she instilled in him a strong sense of destiny and ambition. Olympias claimed descent from Achilles, which likely contributed to Alexander’s own aspirations to become a great leader and conqueror. Her fierce and often controversial nature also shaped Alexander's personality and approach to leadership, making her an essential figure in his life and legacy.