This is a mosaic picture of Alexander the Great going into war.
Alexander the Great was a powerful conqueror. Alexander was the son of a powerful King, Philip II and Queen Olympia of Macedonia. "Alexander III of Macedon, known as Alexander the Great (21 July 356 BCE – 10 or 11 June 323 BCE), was the son of King Philip II of Macedon" (ancient.eu). He became king at a young age and under his father’s vast inheritance he reigned and controlled many nations. True to his own desires his army conquered many lands. Alexander the Great was viewed as a hero and a grand leader during his era. He spread culture and new ideas throughout many lands.
A map of Alexander the Great’s conquest.http://www.ancient.eu/Alexander_the_Great/
Alexander the Great became king after his father’s death. King Philip II reigned over Macedonia and Greece. Alexander the Great inherited these lands as a young adult. He was a well prepared leader who had studied under a great teacher Aristotle. King Philip II left a great inheritance for Alexander and he was well equipped to take on the role. His father and mother Queen Olympia of Macedonia tried to provide him with the tools he would need to lead the great emperors Macedonia and Greece. His father would later instruct Alexandar that upon his kingship Macedonia and Greece would not be large enough. Those words followed Alexander the Great to his death.
“I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion.” - Alexander the Great
Knowing that he wanted to conquer empires beyond his father’s lands, he left at a young age to command his first battle. Alexander the Great was born in a time when kings and rulers were not allowed to be true to themselves but to the aristocrats. He earned his title as Alexander the Great through his military leadership. Alexander the Great stayed only a few years in his palace life before setting out on his own conquests. Alexander was always true to himself, he was his own person who wanted to conquer and be on the battlefield. His abrasive leadership was known throughout his armies. He lead his military with an iron hand. He did not allow any room in his army for men who were not loyal. His rage would go deep into his military strategies. “Alexander should be venerated as the "invincible god"(Livius). He spread war against nations as far as he had ever traveled. His ultimate goal was to conquer lands east as far as the edge of the Asian continent. Defeating great nations like Persia his armies would march through uninhabited terrain like deserts and mountains only to conquer another land. They were unstoppable. Finally his military was stopped by only exhaustion and homesickness. They would then march back through horrible conditions to finally reach home. Alexander was said to be disappointed but without any other choice.
http://www.ancient.eu/Alexander_the_Great/
He spread his own culture and ideology of Macedonia throughout his conquest. Alexander established democracy over the lands he conquered. Following traditions of Greece he implored Democratic views. Alexander also influenced culture in the new countries he conquered. “Though he had conquered Egypt, Alexander was not interested in imposing his own ideas of truth, religion, or behavior upon the people as long as they willingly kept the supply lines open to feed and equip his troops” (ancient.eu). He married a Persian. Alexander shared his Persian customs with other Eastern customs. Clothing and leisure trended with blends of Greek and Persian influence. Most of Alexander the Great’s empire adapted to new traditions and customs due to his influence. Immigrants and soldiers alike emerged under his reign and also adopted the new style. Greece culture had now been shared with most of the civilized world on the Eastern side of the continent.
“There is nothing impossible to him who will try.” - Alexander the Great
Though mostly known for his conquest and great military invasions, Alexander the Great earned his name. During his time he faced a very powerful and invasive military of Persia. He became known as a great liberator to nations who were being persecuted. Giving democratic relief he employed his customs and ideology throughout southwest Asia and other lands north and east. "But Alexander, as it would seem, considering the mastery of himself a more kingly thing than the conquest of his enemies" (Plutarch). History says that, Alexander was a great military leader, a strong king, and a mighty conqueror." He created one of the greatest empires ever ruled by a single leader. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary the definition of great is, “remarkably skilled, marked by enthusiasm”. Alexander the Great deserves to be called great and should still be called great today.
Worked Cited
Plutarch. “The Life of Alexander.” Plutarch-Life of Alexander, Loeb Classical Library, 1919, penelope.uchigago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Plutarch/Lives/Alexander/.html. Accessed 25 Sept. 2016
Snyder, Becky. “Alexander the Great.” ABC Clio, ABC Clio Inc., 3 Apr. 1999, ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display
Donald L. Wasson. “Battle of Issus,” Ancient History Encyclopedia. Last
modified November 24, 2011. http://www.ancient.eu/Battle_of_Issus/.
Joshua J. Mark. “Alexander the Great,” Ancient History Encyclopedia. Lastmodified November 14, 2013. http://www.ancient.eu/Alexander_the_Great/.
Lendering, Johna. "Alexander the Great (oriental)." Livius,penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Diodorus_Siculus/17B*.html.Accessed 30 July 2016.
I thought the quote, “I am not afraid … led by a lion,” provided interesting insight into the mind of Alexander. I also found it interesting that you cited his volatile personality as a contributing factor of his greatness. I wish you would have touched on accounts that say he regretted many of his military conquests later in life.
ReplyDeleteI thought the quote, “I am not afraid … led by a lion,” provided interesting insight into the mind of Alexander. I also found it interesting that you cited his volatile personality as a contributing factor of his greatness. I wish you would have touched on accounts that say he regretted many of his military conquests later in life.
ReplyDeleteThe point you made about how Alexander would let the conquered civilizations to keep their culture as long as the fed his troops, really stuck out to me.
ReplyDeleteMy research almost entirely complements yours, your points on how he left the palace at a young age was a different subject that I enjoyed.
I wish you would’ve mentioned the taming of the horse Bucephalus and how he used his wits to accomplish the taming.
1. It was interesting how the lion quote was interesting to Alexander.
ReplyDelete2. My research showed that Alexander was more of a ruthless king than a good one.
3. I wish you mentioned how people were inspired by Alexander and that you put more specific examples into the blog.