Alexander The Great and his dog Peritas

Alexander The Great, born 356 BCE in the tiny nation of Macedon, led its small army on an epic mission of global conquest, forging the largest empire the world had yet seen before dying at the age of 32.

His greatest accomplishment was subduing the Persian Empire, the ancient world's only superpower. At the battle of Gaugamela, Alexander routed the Persians by personally leading a cavalry charge into their ranks, straight at their king Darius. This extremely risky move won him eternal glory- though it could have easily cost him his life. It is said that at one point of this battle, a war elephant charged at Alexander and almost trampled him. But at the last moment, Alexander's dog Peritas, charged at the elephant, jumped up, and bit the elephant's lower lip. Peritas hung onto the lip for as long as he could. His dog's attack, gave Alexander just enough time to escape.

Peritas didn't survive the battle. When it was over, the Macedonians recovered his body and gave Peritas a state funeral. Alexander later named a city after his dog.