Alexander's Michael Post

Alexander the Great

Among the most successful military leaders of all time is Alexander the Great. He utilized flawless battle strategy and Macedonia’s unrivaled cavalry to decimate his enemies. Macedonia never lost a battle under Alexander’s rule. Alexander rose to power at the young age of twenty after his father, Phillip II, was assassinated, and used the army his father left him to conquer all of Egypt and Asia Minor and defeat the Persians and Greeks. Alexander the Great is very deserving of his title because of this, and the general public agrees wholeheartedly.

Aristotle

Alexander was tutored by Aristotle, where he was taught literature, science, and geography. He developed a love for art and culture, and he carried books with him to read on his campaigns. According to the Joshua J. Mark, “The two men remained in contact through letters, and Aristotle's influence on the conqueror can be seen in the latter's skillful and diplomatic handling of difficult political problems throughout his career”(Aristotle). Alexander was taught how to command troops, use weapons, and ride horses at a young age, preparing him to lead an army. He was taught war strategy and to be intelligent, logistical, and quick with his decisions. Many of his battles were improvised, which put his skills to the test. He used these techniques to conquer a considerable amount of land.

Alexander Defeats the Persians

After conquering Greece, Philip II planned to attack Persia. However, he was assassinated before he got the chance. That’s when Alexander rose to power, and took 35,000 soldiers to Persia. Persia met them at Granicus River with 40,000 men, but Alexander crushed them. The Persian king raised an army between 50,000 and 75,000 men to contest Alexander, but Alexander used his superior battle tactics to win. He cut a weak point in the Persian defenses and rushed at the king, forcing him to flee. History.com says, “Alexander’s conquests created a legend that would provide the standard by which other leaders measured their careers"(Alexander the Great). It was this sort of battle strategy and flawless improvisation that made Alexander an outstanding leader.

Terracotta Draped Woman

In his wake, Alexander founded cities and brought in Greek citizens to populate them. Along with the Greeks came their culture, which mixed with the other Asian cultures. This blend was known as the Hellenistic Age. Many subjects thrived from the merge of cultures including medicine and engineering, and, to preserve ancient writings, great libraries were constructed. The normal art form was completely changed from abstract to a more realistic look. "The migration of Greek settlers and the creation of Greek ruling classes resulted in a more cosmopolitan and international worldview than any that had come before"(Watts). This blending of culture is credited to Alexander the Great, furthering his diverse influence on the ancient world.

            "Why do you hesitate to extend the power of Macedon—your power—to the Hyphasis and the tribes on the other side?"(Alexander the Great). Alexander was a great and inspiring leader that strove to conquer as much as his army would allow. His first-rate strategies allowed him to conquer extensive amounts of land and even create an entire culture. He is viewed as an exemplary leader, and is world-renowned even today. Alexander's influence simply cannot go unnoticed, which landed him a well-deserved spot among the Greats.

Works Cited

Cartledge, Paul. “Alexander the Great: Hunting for a New Past?” History Today, 7 July 2004, www.historytoday.com/paul-cartledge/alexander-great-hunting-new-past. Accessed 29 Sept. 2016.

History.com Staff. “Alexander the Great.” History.com, A+E Networks, 2009, www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/alexander-the-great. Accessed 28 Sept. 2016.

Mark, Joshua J. “Aristotle.” Ancient History Encyclopedia, 2 Sept. 2009, www.ancient.eu/aristotle/.

“To This Empire There Will Be No Boundaries.” Ancient and Medieval History Online, Facts On File, online.infobase.com/Auth/Index?aid=180518&itemid=WE49&primarySourceId=6406. Accessed 29 Sept. 2016.

Watts, T. J. (2004). The Hellenistic Age. In World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras. Retrieved from https://ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/Topics/Display/15