Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines “great” as markedly superior in character or quality; remarkably skilled or marked by enthusiasm. Alexander the Great was the king of Macedon and is well-deserving the title "great". Alexander was considered one of the greatest military geniuses of all times. He was a brilliant king, general, and conqueror. During his thirteen-year rule he conquered almost all of the known world and gave a new direction to history. He had established an empire built on strength and dominance which helped many people live their lives, by improving the actual quality of life.
Alexander the Great was born in Pella, the ancient capital of Macedon . He was the son of Philip II, king of Macedon, and Olympias, princess of Epirus. Alexander had many interests in military strategies. When Alexander was about seven years old, a group of Persian diplomats came to Macedon to see Philip. Philip was with his army fighting neighboring tribes so the diplomats stayed and talked with Alexander. They didn't expect Alexander to ask questions about the size of the Persian army and the length of the journey to Susa, an important city in Persia. Philip decided to buy Alexander a racehorse when Alexander was ten or eleven years old. The horse was named Bucephalas. Bucephalas' behavior did not please Philip, so he ordered the horse's owner to take the horse away, but Alexander declared that he could tame the horse. Everyone applauded when they saw Alexander ride the horse. It is said that his father wept for joy, then kissed the then dismounted Alexander and said “My boy, you must find a kingdom big enough for your ambitions. Macedon is too small for you”. Alexander needed more than horsemanship and self-confidence to be an extraordinary king; he needed discipline. Philip worried that Olympias spoiled the boy too much. For Alexander to learn those things, Philip hired a stern and a tough tutor to teach Alexander; Leonidas, a relative of Olympias, was the choice. Leonidas instilled in Alexander his ascetic nature for which he became famous during his future campaigns; he lived simply, in a Spartan way, eating and sleeping together with his troops. Although Leonidas taught him well, Philip knew that Alexander needed more training. Philip sent for a teacher who was known as the wisest man in all of Greece, Aristotle. Aristotle was a Greek philosopher and scientist, now considered one of the most famous of the ancient thinkers. Philip invited Aristotle to teach his thirteen-year-old son Alexander. Aristotle's main love was philosophy. Alexander and Aristotle's discussion about philosophy laid the foundation for Alexander's ideas of what it meant to be a soldier and a king. Alexander learned from Aristotle the principles of zoology and botany. Alexander enjoyed literature most out of all the lessons Aristotle taught. Aristotle introduced the boy to the best poets and writers. Alexander loved the work of Homer and knew both the Illiad and Odyssey by heart, although the Illiad was Alexander's favorite. The tales of adventure, love, bravery, and loyalty excited Alexander. Aristotle gave Alexander a copy of the poem, which Alexander carried everywhere and even put it under his pillow while he slept. Alexander sometimes declared that he loved Aristotle as much as his father. It is said that Alexander remarked "The one had given me life, but the Philosopher had shown me how to live well". After three years of teaching, Philip needed Alexander. Philip knew that if his son were to follow him as a general and ruler, he would have to train for battle. When Alexander was seventeen years old he experienced his first battle. Philip and Alexander fought together against some peoples in Athens and Thebes, and thousands of Athenians and Thebans were slaughtered. Philip's confidence in his son paid off, for Alexander not only survived the battle, but also impressed soldiers who were more experienced. When Philip was assassinated, Alexander declared himself as King of Macedon, being only twenty years old. He wanted to fulfill his father wish of conquering Persia. The Persian king, Darius III, and Alexander met at the Granicus River. Alexander defeated Darius, only to meet him again at Issus. Persian king Darius III had amassed an army of about half a million to wipe out the Greek threat. But the vicious and tactically superb attack mounted by Alexander routed the Persians, despite being outnumbered about 13 to 1. With the victory at Issus, Alexander controlled Asia Minor. Alexander now turned south, marching along the Mediterranean coast. His only resistance came from the island city of Tyre. Alexander began a siege that would last for seven months. Finally Tyre was completely destroyed in July, 332 B.C., after which Alexander marched into Egypt. The Egyptians did not like the Persian rule, so they welcomed Alexander and his army. They treated Alexander as their pharaoh. He founded Alexandria, a city, at the mouth of the Nile. Alexandria became the literary, scientific, and commercial center of the Greek world. Alexandria produced many achievements; they had museums, libraries, and built many royal palaces. One of these was an enormous stone lighthouse called the Pharos, a tomb that would later hold Alexander’s body. After leaving Egypt, Alexander went to face Darius and his army, and clashed at Gaugamela. Again, Darius fled. With the victory in Gaugamela, the Persian rule was over. Alexander was proclaimed the king of Persia. Alexander's army then advanced to India. Alexander led his army toward Porus' kingdom. When he met Porus' army, Alexander was surprised at the overwhelming size of his military. When Alexander attacked, he told the cavalries to stay behind the infantries. Porus' elephants were attacking the infantries while archers attack the elephants. Once the elephants were forced back, Alexander's army attacked. Alexander was a caring military leader. He would visit his men after the battle, examining their wounds and praising them for their valiant efforts. He would also arrange extravagant funerals for the fallen. He would arrange games and contests for his men. The affection for their leader was what galvanized his troops. Returning to Macedon, Alexander assumed the role he had coveted for so long, The great conqueror. Eventually, however, he gave way to a lush lifestyle of excessive drinking, as well as fits of rage and paranoia. One night he murdered his closest associate, Clitus, in a fit of rage. This act was to haunt for the remainder of his short life. In June, 332 B.C. Alexander fell victim to malarial fever. He never recovered. The man whom no man could defeat died on June 13, 323 B.C.; he was just 32 years old. Alexander founded many cities; most of them were named Alexandria. These cities were located in many places, so the Greek culture and language was widely known. Greek veterans from his army often settled in them, along with young men, traders, merchants, and scholars. After Alexander's death, the period was called the Hellenistic Age. The Hellenistic Age was a mixed idea of cosmopolitan form of social and cultural life combining Greek traditions with original tradition emerged in the eastern Mediterranean region in the result of Alexander's conquests. With the lands that Alexander conquered the Greek culture was widely spread. Three of Alexander's most powerful commanders took of his empire. Antigonus took over in Macedon and Greece, Seleucus took over Persia, and Ptolemy took over Egypt. The richest, most powerful, and longest lasting of these kingdoms was Ptolemy's. Ptolemy established the world's first scholarly research institute. Its massive library had the goal of collecting all the books in the world. Although Alexander created a new empire, he wasn't there to see it flourish. Alexander won many respects of many people and other kings. He was a great ruler and general. He had conquered most of the land explored in a short number of years. The Hellenistic Age was an important time after Alexander's reign. Alexander's empire improved ways of life in Greece in many ways. Alexander created one of the best empires ever built. 
Bibliography ..must give credit where credit is due... Alexander........ visited on 11/26/03 Alexander........ visited on 11/28/03 Alexander........ visited on 11/28/03 Alexander........ visited on 12/03/03 Alexander........ visited on 12/06/03 Alexander........ visited on 12/06/03 Done by Cortney Lawrence for Ms. King's World Cultures Class |
