The Fascination and Relevance of Alexander the Great in the Contemporary World

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There is no one description of Alexander the Great, he has become for modern and ancient writers an astonishing man from Macedon, who was a controversial, yet admirable ruler of the largest empire of the known ancient world. The fascination and relevance of Alexander in the contemporary world have proven to be a reflection of his extraordinary successes, which has led to a strong debate on whether Alexander’s epithet as “The Great” is at all an indication of his achievements. Alexander’s ability to expand his empire through military measures connecting the East and the West of the known world; a feat that had never been achieved prior to Alexander, or in fact achieved again after his death has been greatly admired by many ancient and modern historians. A number of historians, including Cantor believes that Alexander was and still is a symbol of conquest; due to his extraordinary success rate in regards to conquering lands; his unrivalled strategic tactics redefining warfare and in the process becoming an exemplar for future military commanders such as; Julius Caesar and General Norman Schwarzkoph. Caesar born in the midst of unrest and civil war in Rome; growing up in a society driven by warfare, where you were judged on your military ability above all; would explain his goal to emulate, if not surpass Alexander’s success. Caesar’s deep admiration for Alexander and his military tactics demonstrated through his own military conquests which as mentioned by Cantor had included the use of his own infantry in a similar way to Alexander’s to conquer the world. Alexander’s everlasting influence due to his military success is still relevant today, Schwarzkoph, raised in a military family, to eventually leading the American army into co... ... middle of paper ... ...Schwarzkopf." The Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/military-obituaries/army-obituaries/9769376/General-Norman-Schwarzkopf.html (accessed May 12, 2014). "Alexander the Great – the greatest leader of all time?." Military History Monthly. http://www.military-history.org/intel/alexander-the-great.htm (accessed May 12, 2014). Ansari, Ali. "Alexander the not so Great." BBC News. http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-18803290 (accessed May 12, 2014). "The Historical Influence of Alexander the Great." Polari Magazine RSS2. http://www.polarimagazine.com/features/historical-influence-alexander-great/ (accessed May 12, 2014). Upbin, Bruce , James Romm, and Paul A. Cartledge. "Two Great Historians On Alexander the Great, Part One." Forbes. http://www.forbes.com/sites/booked/2010/12/12/two-great-historians-on-alexander-the-great-part-one/ (accessed May 12, 2014).

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