Aristotle, Alexander the Great, and Augustus

1) Introduction

The three most important people that have been covered in HIST 1409 so far are Aristotle, Alexander the Great, and Augustus. These three are the most important people that have been covered in the class so far, as they are some of history’s best examples of their respective professions. Aristotle was arguably history’s greatest mind, and had ideas that were far ahead of his time. Alexander the Great was one of the best military commanders in history, as he spread his empire until his own troops tired of fighting. Augustus is the measuring stick for modern rulers, as he led Rome to prosper under his autocratic rule.

2) Aristotle

Aristotle, who lived from 384-322 BCE, was a student of another famous Greek thinker, Plato, and was himself a philosopher who studied everything from psychology to drama. Aristotle, born in the small Greek town of Stagira, went to Athens in 367 BCE and studied at Plato’s academy until his death in 347. Aristotle later tutored a young Alexander the Great from circa 342-339, and founded his own school, the Lyceum, in 335. Two of Aristotle’s well known works are Nicomachean Ethics and Politics, where he asserts that, “the study of the good life for the individual and the good life for the state, are inseparable” (Patterns, 145). Aristotle also didn’t believe with his mentor Plato on everything, preferring to base his views on empiricism, rather than metaphysics.

3) Aristotle Contemporary Influence

The influence of Aristotle can be seen in almost every era of history that followed his death over 2300 years ago. In the Middle Ages thinkers used Aristotle’s work as a sort of “final authority on all sorts of issues” (Patterns, 141). In the 16th and 17th centuries philosophers had to first tackle...

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...eat was a great military mind who spread Greek culture throughout the modern day Middle East. Augustus was one of history’s greatest leaders and took the Roman Empire from a period of civil war to an era of prosperity. All three left lasting impacts that extend throughout history to the modern day, and are worthy to be studied for years to come.

Works Cited

Trulove, Sarah Chappell. Patterns in Western Civilization. Boston, MA: Pearson Custom

Pub., 2007. Print.

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Augustus by Augustus. Web. 14 Feb. 2014.

"Aristotle's Influence." Stanford University. Stanford University, Web. 13 Feb. 2014.

"Aristotle (384-322 B.C.E.)." UCMP Berkeley. Web. 14 Feb. 2014.

"Alexander the Great." ChangingMinds.org. Web. 14 Feb. 2014.

"Alexander the Great." Princeton University. Web. 14 Feb. 2014.