Alexander the Great Post - Ella Jane

Ella Jane Duncan

Block C

Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great was indeed an incomparable ruler. He was a gallant, strong, intelligent leader that lead his empire to many victories and new possibilities that changed the way people think of history today. He was a beloved, greatly appreciated man who was memorialized through his great character and ability to withhold and prosper over his father's legacy throughout history.

One of Alexander’s greater established character traits was how he was very wise. Alexander always had new proposals and ways of looking upon difficulties even as a young child. Before he was born, he was concluded of “his nature to be bold and lion like” (Plutarch-Life of Alexander). These expectations were filled by Alexander being fearless and educated at a young age by the bright philosopher Aristotle. As a result of this education Alexander soon began to ponder and critic his father's ways of ruling, and how he would be able to improve his actions. When he was believed to be around the age of thirteen, he watched the failed efforts of his father's trainers inability to train the robust horse Bucephalus. As Alexander continued to protest that he would be able to succeed and convoy the horse, after constant imploring, his father soon let him prove his durability and let him attempt to train. After Alexander took time to pay attention to detail, he noticed how the horse always had his back to the sun and was moving away from his shadow. Alexander then turned the animal's head so the intimidating shadow was behind it, leading the horse to mount and complete the course. Amazed, Philip treasured his son and presented the horse to him. Visitors were amazed by his courageous acts such as this, along with the prestigious questions he would ask regarding world and government. This lead all peers to believe Alexander would have a great future and prosper through his days of ruling.

This is an image (or mosaic) of Alexander the Great and his self trained horse Bucephalus.

http://www.ancient.eu/image/132/

Alexander the Great was a tenacious ruler. Many areas around Greece feared this super historic figure knowing of his strengths and immense accomplishments. Even after his father's death, Alexander was able to successfully rule the empire with advanced concepts that lead him and his people to many victories. Some believe that after Phillip, Alexander  changed the way his nation  was ruled for the better. Because of Alexander’s  “astonishing mature questions and methods of government, the public predicted a great future for the so unusually intelligent young prince” (Alexander the Great and His Time). He abetted the empire greater accomplishments  with unique concepts which improved well known parts in his land such as his father's famously known army by contributing new allied forces, weapons, and engineers. Ideas like these made his empire invisible. They were able to take over and conquer important areas such as Macedonia, Greece, east to Asia, and the Persian Empire. Because of all of these successful victories, his soldiers and people thought of him as a considerable ruler whose new perfected military style was portrayed favorably.

This is an image of a map that shows the different areas Alexander the Great had has his empire or was able to take over.

http://nsms6thgradesocialstudies.weebly.com/alexander-the-great.html

Not only was Alexander an intelligent military leader, he also had a minding character that made sure to always support the people of his nation. Alexander believed that all people were created equal, even women, which was not something that was very common in that time. He forbid soldiers to violate captured women, and others that were to do so were immediately killed. This shows wide respect from his part. He would even make special laws created for his people in order to believed that he has kept them safe. Examples of which are as follows; “Command’s were sent out saying that women were not to be touched. Alexander took precautions that young girls should be safeguarded from troops; women relatives of enemy chiefs fallen in battle were retained under good supervision.” (Alexander the Great and His Time). His appreciation for women confused many, because that was not something that was common in this time, but it shows what a caring ruler Alexander was. Alexander also showed compassion to the sick and suffering. This was yet another trait that that people of his empire greatly appreciated about him. In this time, caring about those certain regards was considered “unmanly” by many subjects, but this didn't seem to bother Alexander. Alexander was always the one to put his nation's needs before his own. These selfless acts were just more reasons for his people to believe that he was great.

Shown through Alexander’s brilliance, broad ideas, and loving nature, he was indeed a great ruler and deserved his name. Even after his brilliant father, Phillip Ⅱ’s death, he was able to carry his empire to many victories and live up to the high standards his father left behind. Unlike any other ruler, Alexander the Great was able to create new ideas and possibilities that lead his empire to success and victory. He cared not only about the foundation of his nation, but also the people within it. Only one great leader would be able to profitably do all of these things. This ruler is Alexander the Great.

Works Cited

Czegledy, K. "The Syriac Legend concerning Alexander the Great." jstor.org, Akamiai Kiado, 1957, www.jstor.org/stable/23682632?seq=2#page_scan_tab_contents. Accessed 28 Sept. 2016.

Plutarch. "The Life of Alexander." Plutarch-Life of Alexander, Loeb Classical Library, 1919, penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Plutarch/Lives/Alexander*/3.html. Accessed 28 Sept. 2016.

Savile, Agnes. Alexander the Great and His Time. Barnes and Noble, Inc.

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