HERO OR VILLIAN
Was Alexander Great?
Lots of people have been called great throughout history but one person continues to
hold the title and he is Alexander the Great. What made him so Great? Does he have flaws that
make him less great than history perceives him? Alexander had many titles besides great; he
has also been called a king, a pharaoh, a tyrant, and a conqueror.
Looking at Alexander the Greats resume is remarkable. His accomplishments and
conquests dwarf most leaders and conquerors in history.
Alexander the Great took control of the kingdom of Macedonia at age 20 when his
father was assassinated. The death of Alexander’s father left him with a powerful army that
was preparing to invade the Persian Empire. Alexander first unified Greece by burning
Thebes to the ground and taking control of the other city-states around Greece. He then
invaded Egypt and met no resistance. The Egyptians crowned Alexander King or Pharaoh. He
then set up a new city called Alexandria named after himself.
Alexander also conquered the Persian Empire that was the most powerful empire in
the ancient world. The Persians had an Army of 200,000 and Alexander had an army of a
mere 47,000. Although Alexander was outnumbered over four to one his daring military
move of charging straight up the middle and splitting the Persian army led to victory.
Thousands of Greeks and Persians were killed but Alexander had defeated King Darius III and
went on to destroy the Persian capital. Alexander was then named the unquestionable king of
the Persian Empire. While ruling the Persian Empire Alexander appointed many Persians to
high government posts and allowed the Persians to continue to practice their customs and
religion.
In 326 BC. Alexander moved to conquer India. He spent three years conquering various
Indian tribes, battling war elephants for the first time and both Alexander’s army and the
Indian tribes suffered great losses. After a huge victory at the battle of Hydaspes fighting war
elephants Alexander was impressed that the Indian tribe leader Porus refused to surrender.
“As in the case of Porus, Alexander would respect and pardon a brave enemy. He always
made sure that collaboration was presented as a much more attractive proposition than
resistance. Most often, capitulation of an enemy force was rewarded with kindness;
revolts, however, were suppressed ruthlessly. It was a well-calculated strategy designed
to minimize battlefield losses. Adversaries were more inclined to submit to Alexander
knowing that they would be pardoned and included in his empire (the alternative was
extremely unattractive)”
In fact the deal was so good for Porus that it actually expanded the territory he would
govern under Alexander’s empire. After conquering India Alexander decides to move his
army home after 12 years of war. His army had grown rich and tired of war. Alexander
expected a hero’s welcome when he returned home, but never made it falling ill and passing
away before he and his army returned home.
Alexander died at the age of 32 but in those 12 years he conquered much of the known
world and never lost a battle.
HERO OR VILLIAN
Was Alexander Great?
Things Inherited by Alexander after his Father was Assassinated
1.
2.
3.
4.
The Greek treasury was full of money.
Greek culture was flourishing, and the people were well educated.
The Persian Empire was growing weaker.
His father had already prepared to attack the Persians before he was
assassinated.
5. The Greeks had a professional army that was well trained.
6. His father Philip II had created the Phalanx, which at the time was an
unbeatable military tactic.
Things Accomplished by Alexander
1. Alexander marched and fought to expand his empire for 12 years and
covered over 22,000 miles.
2. His army was very loyal.
3. Alexander spread Greek ideas and culture to over a 22 million
square mile area.
4. He developed siege weapons like the catapult.
5. Set up a common system of currency in his empire.
6. Built several cities named after him.
7. Adopted other cultures merging them together.
8. Brought scientists and others from all over his empire to educate his
people.
Fun facts about Alexander the Great
1. He never lost a battle.
2. He named over 70 cites and towns after himself.
3. Alexander began dressing like a Persian after defeating them.
4. Alexander had his infant brother assassinated to ensure he got the
throne.
5. On the march home after 12 years of war Alexander lost 15,000 men.
More than all those he lost in battle because he marched his army
through the Gedrosan Desert.
6. Alexander’s body was preserved in a vat of honey after his death.