Sources for Alexander the Great:
Spodek, Howard. The World's History. Prentice Hall, NJ, 2000(Calmann and King Ltd.). pg. 150-155.
The legacy of Alexander III is evident even in his title, Alexander the Great. He was a great man who achieved many great feats that we are still in awe of to this very day. The expansion Alexander was responsible for is one of his most impressive accomplishments. His father, Phillip of Macedonia controlled only the region of Macedonia. In his short 33 year life, Alexander expanded this empire so that it consumed the eastern Mediterranean, stretching eastward to India and through most of eastern Europe and central Asia. He is also remembered for the Cultural expansion he inspired. He made Greek language and culture dominant throughout vast expanses of highly intellectual and commercial areas, ranging from the Mediterranean, to India, to Egypt. Greek dialect, Koine, became the language of educated people throughout the West. This culture spread by followers of Alexander consisting of Greek administrators, business men, and soldiers. The Hellenic culture they brought with them mingled with the existing custom
s of the area and the simple Hellenic culture developed into "a more complex, elaborate, and cosmopolitan Hellenistic culture of Alexander". This was called Hellenistic ecumene. Alexander the Great was also built numerous establishments and assisted greatly in trade. He built roads, canals, and new cities, to facilitate travel, commerce, conquest, and administration. As a result trade became extensive and traversed the entire empire. Throughout his conquests, Alexander Created over 16 cities named Alexandria. The most famous of which is the metropolis in Egypt, a glorious city that became the leading city of itís day and the place where Alexander eventually died. Not only did he build cities but he reserved existing indigenous structures and used those along with new buildings and monuments of Hellenistic culture. Alexander the Great has many impressive accomplishments to his name. His expansion alone is worthy of significant recognition, but his legacy goes far beyond this. He was the creator of a culture a
nd builder of numerous cities and establishments as well. He constructed an empire and a culture so great they will be remembered forever.
http://wso.williams.edu/~junterek/divine.htm.
Alexander the Great is often remembered as being, "Alexander the Divine." Not only did he believe himself to be a god, but many people of that time thought his power and ability to be beyond mortal means. He and his mother claimed that he was a divine being, and Philip was not his true father, instead he was the son of a God (who impregnated Olympias, his mother, in serpent form). "Alexander sought to rival Perseus and Hercules, as he was descended from them both; and in addition, he himself traced his birth in part to (Zeus) Ammon, just as the legends traced [the births] of Hercules and Perseus to Zeus." He would try to associate himself with Hercules in an attempt to portray himself as a godlike figure. He wanted the people to recognize that they were both mortal men born of Zeus who became gods (as he thought himself to be). He would do this by minting coins of himself, and coins of Hercules, with many obvious similarities. Alexander the Great's legacy is often marked by his divinity. Many people remember him as a talented and immortal hero. People have this impression of him because this is the impression he strove for, and clearly, he succeeded.
http://www.mdk12.org/instruction/ success_mspap/social_studies/alexander.html.
Alexander the Great was known for being conceded and cruel. He bragged that he had been victorious simply for his own good. With his many victories he became increasingly meaner towards "friends". He became so conceded he eventually would only be "worshipped as a god" and refused to be addressed as a mortal. His "behavior and extravagant life-style...(were) causing intense disgust". He possessed many luxuries, and adopted the Persian way of dress(royal Persian headdress). Both of these adaptations left a vain impression on many people, lessening the glory of his previous accomplishments. However, amongst his many character flaws his success is still inevitable. He founded the Macedonian Empire and controlled all the Peloponnese. He installed his laws and administration within Persia, easing many problems there. Known as, "Oppressor of the world", Alexander the Great was a talented and terrible man. No one can argue that his successes were not tremendous and only capable of being achieved by the most mighty
of individuals. However the honor and glory of his deeds are lost in the terrible name he left for himself. Instead he is remembered as a vain, selfish, and cruel leader, to whom many people felt extreme hate. The impressive legacy of Alexander the Great is dampened by the horrible personality he bore, and the pain he inflicted on the people of his time. (Hint- maybe he would try to change the negative aspects of his legacy).
Additional sources for Alexander the Great:
http://www.mdk12.org/instruction/success_mspap/social_ studies/alexander.html.
http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/worldhistory/alexanderthegreatlegacy1.htm.
Sources for Genghis Khan:
Spodek, Howard. The World's History. Prentice Hall, NJ, 2000(Calmann and King Ltd.). pg. 383, 349.
The legacy of Genghis Khan is as extreme and powerfu
as the man himself. A number of his accomplishments still remembered to this day. He established the "Largest land-based empire in history". A goal of his had always been to unite the mongols just like his ancestor Kabul Khan had done a short while before. He ended internal problems and established a new legal code for Mongolia. Then with a unified confederation of Mongol and Turkish people, he defeated all the surrounding land and people. Successfully, he conquered China, Korea, a large segment of Southeast Asia, the Kara- Khitai empire, and Khwarizm. From China he developed the weapons: the mangonel and the trebuchet. Another large portion of Genghisí legacy resides in his ruling style. He promoted his warriors by merit. Also, he was said to be the “Universal leader”, marked by his brutality and brilliance. His brilliance contributed to his numerous military accomplishments, however his brutality is what marks him as a leader. He was relentless and he
tortured many people. Muslims felt extreme infliction from him as did many other groups. When he conquered the Tartars +he "killed all surviving males taller then a cart axle.” The torture he inflicted upon the Taichi'ut after their defeat consisted of boiling all their chiefs alive. Genghis Khan is remembered for his astounding achievements, primarily creating the largest land based empire. However what characterizes him is the way he accomplished this. He was an exceptionally talented man who used pain and fear as the primary tools for his accomplishments.
http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/mongols/figu_geng_legacy.htm.
Genghis Khan is remembered by his four prominent legacies. First of all, he exercised religious tolerance. He provided tax relief to Buddhist monasteries and other religious institutions. He also expressed genuine interest in other religions, especially Daoism, although he continued practicing Mongolian shamansim. Secondly, he is remembered for his impact on written language. In the year 1204 he was responsible for the development of the first Mongol written language, based on the existing Uyghur script. Thirdly, he significantly influenced the trade and crafts of his time. Because he understood the vitality of trade and and crafts for economic survival, he actively supported all artisans and merchants. Finally, he established a legal code called the Jasagh, and has been remembered for his contribution in that area. These are the four most important legacies of Genghis Khan because they had the biggest impact on the people of that time. He introduced and impacted many discoveries that changed the standard way of life forever. His innovative ways and intelligent thinking led him to practice policies and ways unique to that time. Evidently everything he did and contributed led to remarkable adv
ances, all of which are remembered as the influential legacy of Genghis Khan.
Additional Sources for Genghis Khan:
http://web2.infotrac.galegroup.com/itw/infomark/711/855/36825187w2/purl=rc1_GRGM_0_A84150552&dyn=4!xrn_1_0_A84150552?sw_aep=mlin_m_noble
http://faculty.cua.edu/Pennington/his211/LectureEight/MongolsGhengis 1227.htm
