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Explain the legacy of Alexander the Great
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Alexander the Great will forever be remembered in history as one of the greatest conquerors of all time. There are many historians that agree with the contention that Alexander’s success can be greatly attributed the legacy left to him by his father, Philip II of Macedon. Philip’s accomplishments enabled Alexander to begin his reign with a large powerful army, an established throne, a vast empire, domination over Greece and a people with a great sense of nationalistic pride (Worthington 2003, 95). Had it not been for aforementioned inheritance it is doubted that Alexander would have been able to accomplish even half of what he did during his reign, for the Macedon that Alexander inherited was the making of his father (Bosworth 1998, 6). However, …show more content…
The land was mountainous, which made communication and travel difficult and prevented the Macedonians from utilising the rich resources that were available to them such as silver, gold and copper (Worthington 2003, 70-71). From the very beginning of his reign Philip set out to transform his nation. Philip united Upper and Lower Macedon, and through a series of battles, maintained power over many Greek city-states (Worthington 2003, 76). Philip recognised the need to ensure a stable economy and continued development in Macedon, using imperialistic policy as means to accomplish this, a realisation and lesson passed on to his son. Philip reorganised his army, introducing a key element known as the sarrissa (long spear) (Worthington 2003, 72) and utilised the development in siege machinery; both of which proved to be fundamental to many of Alexander’s successes. Over the course of Philip’s reign, Alexander realised the importance of continually campaigning the army as a way to unite them, as well as a means to prevent economic decline (Worthington 2003, 95) thus even long after Persia was defeated, Alexander kept his army on the move. This strategy was employed by Alexander in an effort to maintain control, and thus contributed to Alexander’s continual imperialistic ventures. It was only after the army mutinied in India that Alexander ceased his military policy …show more content…
Many of Philip’s accomplishments enabled Alexander’s success and fuelled his desire for expansion. However, there was also a subtle aspect of Philip’s influence, for Alexander regarded his father as “the best measure by which to judge himself” (Doherty 2004, 17). It said about Alexander that when he was young he complained that if his father were to continue conquering then there would be nothing left for him (Harris 1974, 115). Tarn (as cited by Harris 1974, 116-7) claims that Alexander's advance to the east was quite logical, as it was inevitable granted Philip’s success in battle that Alexander to try and prove himself to be greater. Nearchus (as cited by Ehrenberg 1974, 97) describes Alexander as always trying to “accomplish some new and unusual deed.” Doherty asserts that Philip had wished to dominate, but not conquer Greece as he was already changing the focus of his direction towards the east (Doherty 2004, 19) perhaps it can be said that Alexander’s ventures were an act to prove himself more capable than his father in achieving his
Alexander adopted Persian governing practices, but he had little use for Persian culture. According to his Greek biographer Plutarch, he considered himself "a governor from God and a reconciler of the world." He hoped that Greek culture would, through his actions, permeate all of Asia, inspiring its peoples to pursue virtue, excellence, and truth. This heroic idealism blended with practicality in his plan to develop the Tigris, Euphrates, and Indus rivers as commercial waterways linking all of Asia These undertakings promised to be long and difficult, however, and Alexander was an impatient man. His soldiers' unwillingness to proceed past the Indus was a great disappointment to him, for which he compensated by throwing his own festivals and celebrations. Alexander showed early leadership qualities. When King Phillip invaded Thrace, he left Alexander in charge of Macedonia at the age of 16. During his father's absence, one of the Thracian tribes, the Maedi, rebelled. Alexander was able to mobilize an army and put down the rebellion. In 336 B.C, Alexander's father was assassinated, putting Alexander on the throne at the age of 20. Shortly after this, Alexander left Macedonia with his armies to put down rebellions in the countries of Illyria, Thrace and Greece, all of which had previously been conquered by King Phillip. Alexander then moved his armies into Asia Minor and began to conquer the peoples there. Among the countries conquered by Alexander were Syria, Phoenicia and
Alexander the Great has been considered for centuries as a military genius and influenced conquerors such as Hannibal the Carthaginian, the Romans Pompey, Caesar and Napoleon. Although, he inherited a strong kingdom and an experienced army, Alexander was capable to display his leadership and military capabilities. In 338 B.C., his father, King Phillip II, gave Alexander a commanding post among the senior generals as the Ma...
One of the reasons for Alexander’s military success is because he was brought up by a great military leader. Alexander’s father was King Phillip II of Macedonia, a great military leader himself. When Alexander was a young man, around 16, his father realized his potential and pulled him out of school and put him out on the field to learn (McGill). He also got him a tutor, one of the best in all of history, Aristotle. Alexander’s young life will prove to be one of the largest reasons for his...
...here are few people in history that can claim the military prowess, uncanny political maneuvering, and the overall lasting effect of the dissemination of a particular culture such as Alexander. Alexander’s exploits led to the spread of the Greek culture throughout Asia and Africa. They even went so far as to impact the Romans who dominated Hellenistic Egypt. He left in his wake and expansion of territory and commerce, with expanded trading ports and the exportation of the Greek political system. Christianity emerged with the Hellenization of the Jews and spread throughout Hellenized gentile communities. It seems impossible to catalogue every impact of Alexander’s empire. In the end, I have to conclude that Alexander does ‘fully deserve’ the title of “the Great.”
Alexander’s first battle came when he was only sixteen. Philip, his father had gone away on a campaign and left Macedonia u...
Alexander the Great was only 20 years when his father Philip of Macedon died. Even though he was a young man, he had an unusual talent for politics and military tactics. After his father’s death, Alexander moved to continue Philip’s invasion of Persia. In the ten years of his war campaigns, Alexander conquered a large portion of the then-known world. (Judge & Langdon, 2012.)
Although Alexander the Great of Macedonia’s actions as a conqueror mark him as a great leader to many, they are marred by an arrogance which is what gives him the label of a bad leader. This cocksure behavior increased as the years went on and led to the intolerable pride Alexander carried marking him as an unsatisfactory leader from the present perspective. Alexander acted brashly just to earn glory and did not consider the consequences of if he had been injured. In The Battle of Gaugamela it mentions Alexander leading his army “with Alexander himself at the head of them, vigorously pressed the assault” (Arrian, The Battle of Gaugamela). This action of his is a cry for glory, not for Macedonia, but just for Alexander.
Throughout history, Alexander the Great was known to be one of the world most successful conqueror of his time. To describe his conquests and legacy we will be answering (3) questions.
There are a plethora of historical figures in history, but some of these figures are more acknowledged and discussed about than others. One of these prominent historical figures include Alexander the III, also known as Alexander the Great. There is no question that Alexander is famous for his undefeated streak during his military campaigns. However, many historians are in constant debate over whether or not Alexander was truly a military leader that deserved to be a highly prominent figure in history. They dispute over whether or not he is entitled to his nick name of Alexander the Great. Some historians argue that Alexander’s constant victories on the battle field provide more than enough reason for Alexander to be deemed great. The opposing
Alexander the Great (July 356BC – June 323BC) was King of the ancient Greek Kingdom of Macedon. By the age of thirty he had created one of the largest empires of the ancient world. He remained undefeated in battle and is considered one of history’s most successful Military commanders. Historians’ have offered theories which could explain Alexander’s motivation to conquer so much of the known world. Some suggest that Alexander was an idealistic visionary who sought to unite the world, whereas others argued that he was a fascist whose hunger for power drove him. The Ancient Greeks were driven by love of honour (philotimaea) and their desire for greatness. They were competitive, always striving to better one another.
Throughout history, many great empires have risen up and gained extraordinary amounts of power. These empires gain power through the expansion and the conquest of land and expanding territory. However, in history, it is clear that not all great empires last. The Persian Empire is one of the great empires, which rise to power and then decline gradually over time. The Persian Empire fell due to a number of reasons such as bad leadership and poor military tactics; however, the drastic one of all was caused by one man, Alexander the Great. Alexander the Great was the king of Macedonia and the Greek army after his father Philip II died. His accomplishments at such a young age sets him apart from every other king
In the countries who believed Alexander was the son of the devil or the devil himself, will say he is not ‘great’ but a demon who did evil. The countries who were on his side would say he was the greatest conqueror to live. He began as a Macedonian cavalry commander at eighteen, king of Macedonia at twenty, conqueror of Persia at twenty-six and explorer of India at thirty [Foner and Garraty]. The amount of large scale accomplishments he managed to finish in a span of six years is astonishing. Alexander’s tomb was the largest tourist attraction in the ancient world. The tomb was even visited by Julius Caesar, Pompey, Caligula, and Augustus. Alexander the Great’s accomplishments set a bar in which provided a standard that all other leaders would match their careers too. Many leaders after Alexander could not reach the standard left by him [Foner and
Alexander the Great is hailed, by most historians, as “The Great Conqueror” of the world in the days of ancient Mesopotamia. “Alexander III of Macedon, better known as Alexander the Great, single-handedly changed the nature of the ancient world in little more than a decade. Alexander was born in Pella, the ancient capital of Macedonia in July 356 BCE. His parents were Philip II of Macedon and his wife Olympias. Philip was assassinated in 336 BCE and Alexander inherited a powerful yet volatile kingdom. He quickly dealt with his enemies at home and reasserted Macedonian power within Greece. He then set out to conquer the massive Persian Empire” (Web, BBC History). It is important to note, which will maybe explain his brutal actions, that Alexander was only twenty years old when he became the king of Macedonia. “When he was 13, Philip hired the Greek philosopher Aristotle to be Alexander’s personal tutor. During the next three years Aristotle gave Alexander training in rhetoric and literature and stimulated his interest in science, medicine, and philosophy, all of which became of importance in Alexander’s later life” (Web, Project of History of Macedonia). “In, 340, when Philip assembled a large Macedonian army and invaded Thrace, he left his 16 years old son with the power to rule Macedonia in his absence as regent, but as the Macedonian army advanced deep into Thrace, the Thracian tribe of Maedi bordering north-eastern Macedonia rebelled and posed a danger to the country. Alexander assembled an army, led it against the rebels, and with swift action defeated the Maedi, captured their stronghold, and renamed it after himself to Alexandropolis. Two years later in 338 BC, Philip gave his son a commanding post among the senior gener...
Alexander was very loyal to his country and parents. When he was still a young teenager, his father gave him the task of ruling the small region of Pella. This allowed Alexander to prove to his father that he could be a competent ruler. When Alexander and his father, Philip, fought Macedonia, Philip was surrounded. Alexander bravely jumped in and saved his father from sure death. Alexander demonstrated loyalty to his mother by staying with her through her exile from Philip. This showed how much pulling and tugging went on to win Alexander’ favor that enviably killed Phillip by not knowing who to be loyal to. Upon their return three years later, Alexander’s mother requested to be allowed to rule with him, once Alexander became king. She knew that would be the only way she could regain power. When Alexander turned twenty, his father was brutally murdered by Alexander’s friend. This demonstrated once again how loyal Alexander was to his father, and how difficult a decision it was to pick sides between his father and mother.
Have you ever wondered why Alexander from Macedonia is called Alexander the Great. According to history, it is because he is the most glorious general in the history who conquered Persia, Greece, Egypt and Babylon in a very inexperienced age. He became the commander of Macedonian armies at age eighteen and the king of Macedonia at age twenty. After six years of preparation, he conquered the great Persian empire. Unfortunately, he died at age thirty-three. He would have conquered many lands if he hadn’t died at a such young age. He was a legend and an icon for great kings like Charlemagne, Julius Caesar, and Pompey. World’s most famous generals tried to compete with him but they couldn’t accomplish. After years, his tomb