Does Alexander the Great Deserve his Title?
By: Ava Bryant
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| This map shows the extent of Alexander's empire in purple. |
Alexander is great for many reasons. As soon as his father died, Alexander continued his successful conquest of the Persian Empire. Alexander’s soldiers were both Macedonian and Greek. “...indeed I will go further than the mere satisfaction of our ambitions: the utmost hopes of riches or power which each one of you cherishes will be far surpassed, and whoever wishes to return home will be allowed to go, either with me or without me.” (Arrian: Speech of Alexander the Great, from The Campaigns of Alexander). This quote shows that he was kind to his soldiers and offered them freedom. He also cared about them and told them that they were not being forced to serve him, and that they could leave if they wished to. One of the things he is well-known for is perfecting the phalanx, a military strategy and formation that helped his army win many battles against other civilizations. Because of this impeccable military plan, Alexander and his triumphant army never lost a battle while he was alive. His troops marched for twelve years, and never stopped subduing other civilizations until the fall of Alexander. Alexander the Great used his military victories to become one of the most powerful people to exist, and he left a legacy that will always be remembered by generations to come. 
Alexander also spread Hellenistic culture across Europe. Hellenistic culture combined Greek, Egyptian, Persian, and Indian culture into the daily life. The spreading of this culture inevitably changed the future of many European countries forever. People who followed Hellenistic culture spoke the language Koine (the greek word for common). The definition of this word proves that Alexander affected civilization so much that the language he spoke was one of the most common languages in that area at the time. “I observe, gentlemen, that when I would lead you on a new venture you no longer follow me with your old spirit. I have asked you to meet me that we may come to a decision together: are we, upon my advice, to go forward, or, upon yours, to turn back?” (“Arrian: Speech of Alexander the Great, from The Campaigns of Alexander”). Alexander not only cared about the citizens of the land he conquered, but he also truly valued the opinions of his soldiers and did not disregard their opinions.
Alexander left an impact on the world that has persuaded many people to believe that he is great. Based on research and evidence, most people also believe that he is great because of his title and legacy. When people hear about someone with a title like his, they automatically believe that he or she is great! Generations after generations of people have learned about how powerful Alexander the Great was, and this will continue happening in the future.
Alexander was great because he was an iconic military genius and an admirable leader! He rightfully ruled his people while using his power to conquer other nations at the same time. “The rewards are for us all.” (“Arrian: Speech of Alexander the Great, from The Campaigns of Alexander”) Alexander was a just leader and made sure that all of his rewards would be passed on to his people. He conquered several thousand miles of land in the 12 years that he was in power. Alexander created one of the most successful and prosperous empires in the world. He went above and beyond anything that any other ruler did in the ancient world, and this is why he is seen separately from other leaders. Alexander will be always be remembered as one of the greatest people to ever exist because of his many accomplishments.
Works Cited
“Alexander the Great.” ABC-CLIO, ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/575648?terms=alexander+the+great&sType=quick. Accessed 13 Sept. 2016.
“Alexander the Great and the Creation of an Empire, Part I.” History Today, E. Badian, www.historytoday.com/e-badian/alexander-great-and-creation-empire-part-i. Accessed 28 Sept. 2016.
Arkenberg, J. S., editor. “Arrian: Speech of Alexander the Great, from the Campaigns of Alexander.” Fordham University, sourcebooks.fordham.edu/ancient/arrian-alexander1.asp. Accessed 28 Sept. 2016.
---, editor. “Arrian: Speech of Alexander the Great, from the Campaigns of Alexander.” Fordham University, sourcebooks.fordham.edu/ancient/arrian-alexander1.asp. Accessed 28 Sept. 2016.
“The Life of Alexander.” University of Chicago, penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Plutarch/Lives/Alexander*/3.html. Accessed 28 Sept. 2016.
“Who Killed Alexander the Great?” History Today, www.historytoday.com/james-romm/who-killed-alexander-great. Accessed 20 Sept. 2016.
I thought it was interesting how you went so in depth talking about Alexander’s military achievements. I loved how I got to learn more about the phalanx, it helped me understand it better.
ReplyDeleteMost of our research was the same, and we talked about very similar topics and beliefs in our posts. The only thing different is you focused very in depth, while I focused on more broad topics.
I wish you would of mentioned more about the topic of how the population has seen him for the past generations. You almost made up for it though, because you were very detailed with everything else.
1. I really liked how you talked more about the military strategies that he used. It really helped create an image for why Alexander’s army was really successful.
ReplyDelete2. We both had similar research, the only thing I would mention is how he ruled his people while he was conquering other nations. While he was conquering more land, he was not actually ruling his people, he had other government officials rule the people.
3. I wish you talked more on the public opinion, and some of his flaws, because many people did think that he was not great.
I thought it was interesting how you talk a lot about the military strategies and ways they would fight in battle, also the picture showing one of them.
ReplyDeleteIn your research you talked more about military strategies and i talked more about battles that they won.
I wish that you would have mentioned more about some of the battles that they won because its very detailed about strategies.
ReplyDelete1.I found it really interesting that Alexander incorporated people form the different lands he conquered into his military.
2.My research showed the same information as your research did. Except your research showed more about Alexander's relationship with his father.
3.Your paper is really good and very educational. I wish you would have quoted other sources except the one.
1. I like how you are very thorough and have very clear points with evidence.
ReplyDelete2. Our research is the same
3. I wish you stated your points in different wordings because in the introduction and the conclusion, they state the same points with almost the same wording. Also, you put a picture of the Phalanx, but didn’t describe what it was or even mention it.
1. Your stance on the subject was made clear right out the gate, and you stuck with it wholeheartedly throughout the post. The way you consistently bring it back to Alexander being great make the post as a whole very persuasive.
ReplyDelete2. Our research is very similar, however, you touch on the military formations more than I found.
3. Your fourth paragraph lacks any real points. I thought it was the conclusion until I realized there was another one. It's a very powerful paragraph, but it would be that much more powerful if it was backed by specific evidence.