Alexander The Great

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Alexander the Great

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Question: How did Alexander the Great come into power?

Answer: Alexander is known as one of the greatest military leaders who expanded his empire to unprecedented geographical proportions. He was known for his ability to strategize things and to plan his armies in the manner which outnumbered the forces greater than his own army. Through his charismatic leadership, he always motivated his army to achieve victory and nothing less than that. Alexander's influence on Asian and Greek culture remained so immense, that the Greek ideals during his time were acknowledged throughout the world. Through his ideals many people in the world accepted Christianity. The political ideology, the linguistic attributes and the cultural boundaries created by Alexander remained much workable in influencing the large population at those times. Alexander's conquests helped in laying down a structure for Christianity to expand. His arrival in the power corridors was in many young ages. He embraced his father's kingdom and created his empire based on his leadership skills which included intelligence, courage, innovation, and strength.

About Alexander the Great

Many historical documents suggest that Alexander was born around the year 356 B.C in the Ancient Macedonian capital, known as Pella. He inherited the strength, the valor, and bravery from his father King Philip II, who was also a very highly influential leader during his times. His father had also conquered many areas during his reign. King Philip served as an influential character for his son Alexander. For instilling the ideals of love, courage, and bravery in Alexander, King Philip called one of the greatest philosophers of that time Aristotle to teach his son. Through the teachings of Aristotle, it is believed that Alexander grew his skills in logic, philosophy, sciences, and culture. Such knowledge helped Alexander in expanding the conquered lands and treating his subjects.

Despite such great attributes, Alexander was seen by many kings and rulers in the world as not a just leader but as a conqueror and one who has betrayed his people. Such attributes remained attached with the personality of Alexander but many still idealize him for his courage and bravery. There are two dominating views about the personality of Alexander, one view of the historians suggests that Alexander was a source of moderation in Ancient Macedonia, the other view suggests that Alexander had an uncontrollable wish to expand his territory throughout the world. Historians such as Clietarhus suggests that Alexander's was a just ruler, who just wished to expand his power but in a more mannerly way. Whereas, other historians such as Green’s accounts of history suggest that the motivation he inherited from his father was the reason that he was so eager to expand his territory more and more. Alexander earned the title of Great, because of his unprecedented military successes and because of the way he rules over his subjects.

Cultural Background and early life

Throughout the life of Alexander, his father played an important role in making Alexander as a great leader. He was so inspired through the victories of his father that in the age of sixteen, when King Phillip was away for an expedition, Alexander started fighting with the people of Macedonia. During this time he renamed a city on his own name known as Alexandroupolis. Many historians suggest that this event shows the interest of Alexander in conquering territories. The cultural history of Alexander suggests that his father King Philip II divorced her mother and banished her to Epirus. There are also some records which suggest that Alexander during his early ages remained much frightened from his father. In the 336 B.C, his father King Philip II was assassinated by a person who had some relations with the mother of Alexander. In his early life, Alexander remained busy in getting the education of philosophy, arts, science, and culture. King Philip II throughout the early ages of Alexander remained busy in conquering various lands. There are many less historical records which suggest that Alexander has spent time under his father’s custody.

Military Career and Political Achievements

There is a list of military achievement of Alexander. He defeated the Persian empires and captured the Kings of these lands. He declared himself the King of Persia in the year 333 B.C. during these years he also expanded to the north and the west of the Persian region. In the year 334 B.C, he conquered Gaza as well. Egypt offered very little resistance to Alexander, therefore he conquered that land too. In the same land of Egypt, he then founded the city of Alexandria. After Egypt, he moved toward Iran where after conquering the land, he built various Macedonian colonies. In the year 327 BC, he seized the fort of Ariamazes. In the year 328 B.C, Alexander's forces moved toward India, where he defeated the armies of King Pours. Alexander had to return back from the Ganges as his armies refused to move further ahead.

When Alexander was returning from India, he took advantage of the unrest in the Ares of Syria, Bactria, Egypt, and Mesopotamia. He opted not to conquer them and align their system with that of his own. In this way, he was able to form his own government in these areas too. Throughout the lands he conquered, he never forced anyone to change their religion and live as according to the ideals of Alexander, rather he just wanted people to obey his supremacy. In the years around 326 B.C, the armies of Alexander suffered many injuries, many of them died. After when Alexander fully recovered himself from the injuries, he had the plans to conquer Persia and Rome.

Death and Legacy left behind

The legacy Alexander left behind was more in the form of proliferation of Greek literature, art, and the Greek civilization. Since the historical expeditions suggest that he never forced the submissive populations to leave their way and style of life, rather aligned his own culture with theirs. He left the legacy of the expansion of Christianity as well. The Hellenistic Era, is specifically what is referred to his efforts for the expansion of Christianity. His expeditions changed the geographical history of the world too. Before he led the expeditions into the Babylon, Egypt and other various such areas, he managed to instill the values of Greek cultures in the populations of that area too. Alexander developed the system of currency by using the gold and such other important resources, which he captured during his expeditions of Syria. The most important legacy he left was the way the soldiers and the armies were treated. He was so truthful to his soldiers which in returned remained loyal to him too. During his reign, all beliefs, religions, and cultures were tolerated and were given respect to.

Regarding his death, the historical records suggest that after reaching Babylon, he was affected with Malaria. The disease got severe because of the presence of multiple injuries. This all resulted in his death in the year 323 BC. At the time of death Alexander’s age was just thirty-two. There are various myths attached to the death of Alexander, but the records suggest that his death was caused by Malaria r such a similar disease.

Conclusion

Alexander the Great had an impactful personality. His expeditions changed the course of history and a thorough analysis of his life suggest that within a very short span of time, Alexander lived the life of utmost bravery and success. The historians argue that before the arrival of Alexander, there was no such ruler who had led such great expeditions. Some also argue that since he started ruling the people in a very small age, therefore comparative to another ruler, it was easy for him to conquer the land as much as he wanted. Since he lived a very short life, he could not make ample changes in the system of governance and politics. But despite that he was successful in implementing the Greek ideals throughout the areas he conquered, the Greek system of governance lasted for too long and served as the guiding principles for many in the world.

Bibliography

Alexander the Great (Alexander of Macedon) Biography. Accessed April 01, 2019.  http://www.historyofmacedonia.org/AncientMacedonia/AlexandertheGreat.html.

Alexander the Great." Livius. Accessed May 20, 2019. 

https://www.livius.org/articles/person/alexander-the-great/.

Alexander the Great." Ushistory.org. Accessed May

19, 2019. http://www.ushistory.org/civ/5g.asp

Chugg, Andrew, and Andrew Chugg. "The Journal of Alexander the Great in Ancient History 

Bulletin, Vol 19.3-4, Pp.155-175." Ancient History Bulletin, Vol 19.3-4, Pp.155-175.  Accessed April 01, 2019.  https://www.academia.edu/6809239/The_Journal_of_Alexander_the_Great_in_Ancient_His tory_Bulletin_Vol_19.3-4_pp.155-175.

Green, Peter. 2007. Alexander the Great and the Hellenistic Age: a short history. 2nd. London: Phoenix.

Heckel, Waldemar. The Conquests of Alexander the

Great. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012.