ALEXANDER THE GREAT

Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great

Introduction

The world history is full of writers, philosophers, teachers and kings. All of them form a major part of the nation's past. One such an important person of history is Alexander the Great. He was such a personality who is still being studied about by people. Alexander was a Greek king, a student of the well-known philosopher, Aristotle. He had succeeded his father, Philip II to the throne in 336 BC. From him, Alexander had inherited an experienced army, mighty kingdom, and a firmly established authority. During his reign, Alexander faced many problems regarding invasions and managing the empire, but because of his wits and support from the teachings of his tutor, Aristotle, he finally managed to retain his emperor ship for long. This paper elaborates on the merits and greatness of the famous king, Alexander the Great. It puts forward questions and arguments in response to the details presented. The evidences in support of the details will also be given.

Discussion & Analysis

Early History

Alexander was the son of Philip II, king of Macedonia, who united the city-states of Greece for the purpose of making war with the Persians. In 338 BCE Philip II, through a complex and efficient defence system, along with a knack for diplomacy, organized the Greek city-states into a union, the Corinthian League. The league's states were to be independent and self-governing with Philip as their commander-in-chief. Philip's concept of conquering through unity would later be perfected by his son and heir, Alexander. Aristotle, the star pupil of Greek philosopher Plato, employed as tutor to Alexander (Bosworth, 1988).

Hunting was a passion Alexander often pursued, as the Macedonian countryside contained an abundance of deer and foxes, with bears and lions still roaming the highlands. At 16, while his father was laying siege to Byzantium, Alexander was left as regent in Macedonia. During this time, Alexander thwarted a Thracian rebellion. He overtook a city in Thrace and renamed it Alexandropolis, after himself. In 336, BCE, at the age of 20, Alexander ascended to the Macedonian throne after Philip II was murdered by Pausanias, a king's guard and friend to Alexander. After the death of his father, Alexander quickly won the allegiance of the Macedonian army and its generals. A revolt in the two cities of Athens and Thebes soon erupted, conveniently while Alexander was away once again securing Macedonia's northern frontier in Thrace.

Alexander's Conquest

Alexander marched 250 miles (402 km) south in a fortnight. In 334, BCE, Alexander began his eastward march toward Asia Minor to confront the Persian Empire. His army numbered nearly 40,000 men, with 12,000 reinforcements available within the alliance. The Companion cavalry, a 2,000-strong legion of highly trained, heavily armed cavalrymen formed the key to the Macedonian military machine. The Companion cavalry, joined by light troops and the flexible phalanx, a group of highly effective armored foot soldiers who carried short swords along with long spears projecting several feet from the line. The phalanx advanced as a group before the enemy ...