Teen idols.

Today's teen idols are movie stars who fill the pages of celebrity magazines. But many modern-day film icons are famous for playing teen idols whose real-life exploits made history. Times change, but the public's insatiable appetite for gossip about the rich and famous seems constant. Read On for true tales of teens whose stories have intrigued us for centuries. They were the rock stars, royals, and celebrities of their day.

He's a Hero--And a God!

Alexander the Great (356-323 B.C.)

He can tame a wild stallion and bring his enemies to their knees. No wonder the world calls him Alexander the Great. "I would rather live a short life of glory than a long one of obscurity," says Alexander. He's off to a glorious start. He inherited his father's kingdom at 20, but as his father observed, "Macedonia is too little for thee." Sure enough, at 25, Alexander is not only the leader of the Greeks but overlord of Asia Minor, the pharaoh of Egypt, and the king of Persia as well. Now he wants people to worship him as a god, and the idea is being hotly debated within the Greek government. As usual Alexander seems to be getting his way. "Since Alexander desires to be a god," says Damis the Spartan, "let him be a god!"

Princess Of Peace

Pocahontas (circa 1595-1617)

Roll out the red carpet for Native American princess Pocahontas! As daughter of the powerful Algonquin chief Powhatan, Pocahontas received a royal welcome from Britain's Queen Anne. Sources say that Capt. John Smith wrote to the queen asking her to treat the girl kindly. He credits Pocahontas with saving the Virginia colony "from death, famine, and utter confusion." Smith even claims the young princess saved his life, twice, when he might have died at the hands of the Algonquin. Of course, Smith's letter has fueled endless speculation about his relationship with the girl. Was Smith her first love? Pocahontas has no comment. She arrived from the Virginia colonies with her new husband, colonist John Rolfe. Settlers say their wedding helped bring about peace with the Algonquin. As with young love, the question is: Can it last?

A Royal Wedding

Marie Antoinette (1755-1793) and Louis XVI (1754-1793)

"Let them eat cake!" Wedding cake, that is. The French court is abuzz with plans for a royal wedding. The beautiful 15-year-old Austrian princess Marie Antoinette has arrived to marry Louis XVI, the crown prince of France. Of course, the alliance of the teens will join two powerful royal houses when they ascend to the French throne. But will it be a love match? There's no denying that Marie Antoinette is glamorous. She's a fashion trendsetter for high society with exquisite (read: expensive) taste in clothes--and a love of diamonds that could be costly. As queen she will live in the public eye. Her disdain for the formalities and etiquette of court life could lead to gossip. Inside sources say they worry that the monarchy won't survive a scandal. Court watchers hope an extravagant lifestyle doesn't cause the young couple to lose their heads!

Rock Me, Amadeus!

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)

Is former A-list celebrity Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart destined to die on the B-list? As a child star, he wowed royalty all over Europe. Thrust into the spotlight at the age of 6, the boy was promoted as a piano prodigy by his father. "We are already being talked of everywhere," the eider Mozart gushed after his son's first European tour. "Everyone is amazed ... and everyone says his genius is incomprehensible." Now older, Mozart has become a musical rebel. He's written scores of piano sonatas, string quartets, and operas, including The Marriage of Figaro and The Magic Flute. Still, he struggles to make a living as a composer. Although the empress of Austria adored the boy wonder, Emperor Joseph II recently panned one of Mozart's operas, saying it had "too many notes." Mozart may be a genius--but will his career ever hit a high note again?

Iron Maiden!

Joan of Arc (circa 1412-1431)

On the battlefield, she dresses as a man. But beneath the armor, Joan of Arc is a teenage girl on a mission. As a child, she had visions of angels urging her to live a good life. As a teen, she says she receives messages from God commanding her to fight for her native France against England. It took some persuasion, but King Charles VII of France has finally agreed to let the devout peasant girl command troops against the English. Joan has a message for the enemy: "My lord commands you to go back to your own land," she warns, "or else I will cause such a disaster for you." Those sound like fighting words!

The King of Bling

Tutankhamen (circa 1370-1352 B.C.)

Who says you can't take it with you? Although Tutankhamen's life was cut tragically short, the king is sure to shine in the afterlife. The treasures in his tomb are stunning! The young pharaoh took Egypt's throne at the age of 9. During his brief reign, he restored the old religion--ensuring himself a place among the gods! Naturally, his untimely death at age 18 has raised suspicions of foul play. Was Tutankhamen murdered? Inside sources say both his minister of state, Ay, and the military commander, Horemheb, stand to gain now that the boy king is dead. So far, however, King Tut's death has proved to be as mysterious as his life. Some people say that Tutankhamen's hidden gold will be unearthed before the truth comes out!