Major's Alexander Blog Post

Alexander the Great has raised lots of skepticism on if he is deserving of the word Great or not. Murders of associates, and problems with alcoholism, are some reasons people may think he is not fit to be given the claim “great”. Alexander does deserve the term in his name, and with help from many ancient figures, he can also be proven to be one of the most renown leader of all ancient history. Figures such as Arrian, Plutarch, and Alexander himself show his care for the successful military he fought with, his compassion to citizens and desire to develop conquered cities, and love for learning, health, and education.

Alexander the Great was a great military leader, not only due to his success and brilliance, but also his affection for those who risked to fight with him. At only sixteen years old, Alexander faced his first opportunity to prove his training and development. Appointed administrator while his father was on an excursion, he was able to defeat the Thracians, increasing his respect within the Macedonian community greatly. At age 18, he fought alongside his father, King Philip II in the battle at Chaeronea, where the Macedonians conquered the Greeks. After his father was murdered at his sister’s wedding, Alexander was unanimously made king. Alexander earned more respect after reigning over the rest of rear Europe, by killing six thousand Athenians and making the rest slaves, during a revolt. His desire to represent all of Greece in the panhellenic union came with the city-state Corinth being the first support, and the Oracle at Delphi being his first sponsor. After declaring himself governor of Greece, he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps, and conquer Persia. Using military brilliance, including a phalanx, and a strong navy, Alexander was able to defeat Persian armies on multiple occasions, even when outnumbered severely. Conquering Darius’ army a final time, at the Battle of Gaugamela, the army was outnumbered 123,000 to 47,000. Darius again fled in battle against Alexander, due to attack flaws, and was assassinated a year later. Alexander had the man who assassinated Darius hunted down and killed as well. When suffering many losses from the battle, Alexander showed how much he cared. In a speech to his army who desired to return home, Alexander said, “I could not blame you for being the first to lose heart if I, your commander, had not shared your exhausting marches and your perilous campaigns; it would have been natural if you had done all the work merely for others to reap the reward” (To This Empire There Will Be No Boundaries). The speech he gave proves that he understands what the army is experiencing, and is trying to show them the bright side of continuing their march. Another point that shows how Alexander cared about who he was fighting with and didn’t care about his authority, was when he went and helped those who were wounded, and also volunteered with those who needed support. According to Arrian, a historian from circa 100 AD who studied Alexander, Alexander spoke eulogies for all who perished, recognized any gallant deeds done during battle, along with giving money to whoever gave him exploits on enemies. The military success lead to Alexander wanting to develop a similar relationship with those who respected him and his thoughts, including several cities he came across.

Many people believe Alexander was an alcoholic who was power hungry and loved to kill. It is true that he did kill, lots of people actually. But when he came across cities that respected him, he took them as people understood the unification process. According to Ellen Bialo of ABC-CLIO, Alexander had wanted for Greek cities who had been conquered by Persia a sense of restoration in that the original democracy was brought back. Under the rule of Alexander, in many Persian and Egyptian cities, there were Macedonian and Greek administrators. This shows how Alexander didn’t solely care for the conquering of all of ancient Europe, he cared about the similarity and unification of cities. From the time of Alexandria being the biggest port, to the development of military engineering, the Hellenistic period highlight why Alexander was able to develop such an advanced and unified culture. According to James B. Tschen-Emmons, a college professor, medicine and astronomy are more important figures of the studying and innovations that occurred. The study of anatomy increased, along with theories of what the Earth was like. From the historian Arrian, “...pointing out the place where the agora was to be constructed, where the temples were to be built, stating how many there were to be, and to what Grecian gods they were to be dedicated” (The Anabasis of Alexander). All of these examples support the claim of Alexander's trust in citizens, respect to gods, even though people claim he thought he was one, and his care for the increase in culture and studies. Alexander developed the Hellenistic science and studying so much, mostly due to his younger childhood, where it was the shaping for his future.

Being able to receive the best education he could, Alexander was tutored by Aristotle, and others such as Leonidas. According to Joshua J. Mark, earlier influences are what helped Alexander impact the development of culture in civilizations. When taught topics such as mathematics and arithmetic, Alexander incorporated this into the astronomy aspect of Hellenistic culture. This shows how Alexander once again was not always thinking about. He wanted to take time to develop and unify lands. Keeping high expectations of Alexander, Aristotle shaped Alexander into a young man who also had high expectations of cities. In a moment to Alexander, Aristotle said “For my part, I assure you, I had rather excel others in the knowledge of what is excellent, than in the extent of my power and dominion” (Life of Alexander). The telling shows Aristotle being eager to teach what he can, in hopes Alexander comprehends it well. He did comprehend it, shown through the cities that accepted Hellenistic culture, and also those who didn’t.

In conclusion, Alexander the Great does deserve his name. Through his military genius, coordinated development of cities, and civilized government amongst the people, Alexander kept his accomplishments almost hidden. Never losing a battle, and keeping control over what he shouldn’t have been able to, shows Alexander’s integrity and wit. He deserves his name, and should forever keep it. It is unimaginable what it would have continued to be, had he not died so young.


Works Cited 

Alexander's Conquest. 325 BCE, Museum, Naples


Arrian. "Alexander the Great's Treatment of the Family of Darius." ABC-CLIO 
     eBook Collection, ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/ 
     1835817?webSiteCode=SLN_HANC&returnToPage=%2fSearch%2fDisplay%2f1835817&token=F9F 
     6ECC1F95A6BCA931B9CC1890D2814&casError=False. Accessed 29 Sept. 2016. 
     Letter


Bialo, Ellen. "Career of Alexander the Great." ABC-ClIO. ABC-CLIO eBook 
     Collection, ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/ 
     1185181?terms=Government%20Alexander%20the%20Great&webSiteCode=SLN_HANC&returnToP 
     age=%2fSearch%2fDisplay%2f1185181%3fterms%3dGovernment+Alexander+the+Great&sType= 
     quick&token=0FE3FB03C1D7DD81B5751B4E26E331F8&casError=False. Accessed 29 
     Sept. 2016


Great, Alexander. "To This Empire There Will Be No Boundaries." 326 BCE. 
     Facts on File, online.infobase.com/HRC/Search/ 
     PrimarySourceDetails?primarySourceId=6406&q=Alexander%20the%20great. 
     Accessed 29 Sept. 201

Livius, editor. "Alexander and Aristotle." Livius, www.livius.org/aj-al/ 
     alexander/alexander_t04.html. Accessed 29 Sept. 2016


Mark, Joshua J. "Alexander the Great." Ancient History Encyclopedia, 14 Nov. 
     2013, www.ancient.eu/Alexander_the_Great/. Accessed 29 Sept. 2016


Silicus, Diodorus. "Alexander the Great's Siege of Tyre." 60. ABC-CLIO eBook 
     Collection, ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/1837044. 
     Accessed 29 Sept. 2016. Letter