research paper on alexander the great

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In This Article Expand or collapse the "in this article" section Alexander the Great

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Alexander the Great by Joseph Roisman LAST REVIEWED: 25 February 2016 LAST MODIFIED: 25 February 2016 DOI: 10.1093/obo/9780195389661-0114

It has been said about Alexander the Great (b. 356–d. 323  BCE ) that his name marked the end of an old world epoch and the beginning of a new one. Alexander’s empire that stretched from the Danube to India indeed ushered in the Hellenistic age, when Greek culture expanded and merged with Asian and African cultures in the territories he conquered and even beyond. While Alexander’s military record has gained him lasting fame, views of his character, his treatment of compatriots and subjects, and even the merits of his accomplishments have varied greatly since Antiquity. The continuing interest in Alexander has produced numerous works of scholarship and fiction that this article does not presume to cover. Instead, preference is given to recent scholarly works, in which older studies are cited, as well as to works deemed influential, innovating, or useful, although the decision about their significance is bound to be controversial. The article is arranged by topics, with less consideration to the chronology of the campaign. It also does not include works on ancient Macedonia and the Achaemenid Empire. All dates in this entry are BCE unless noted otherwise. Lists of common abbreviations of authors and works used by scholars can be found in the Oxford Classical Dictionary or the bibliographical journal L’Année Philologique .

General Overviews and Monographs

Johann Gustav Droysen’s idealized portrait of Alexander in his History of Alexander the Great , first published in 1833 ( Geschichte Alexanders des Großen [Hamburg: F. Perthes]), has exerted influence on scholars and laypersons up until today. Not everyone, however, felt similar admiration for the Macedonian king, and especially not Karl Julius Beloch. This German historian depicted Alexander in his “Greek history” ( Griechische Geschichte , 2d new ed. 4 vols. [Strassburg: Trübner, 1912–1917]) as a tyrant who allowed the Orient to conquer him in a way that paved the road to Byzantium. Droysen and Beloch represent the two polar views of Alexander, with the former picking sources that favored the king and the latter taking a much harsher and more critical approach. Indeed, the diversity of opinions of Alexander goes back to the sources about him that informed their modern interpreters. Individual Alexander historians can be placed anywhere on the continuum between Droysen and Beloch. Often, and as was the case with Droysen and Beloch, the experience and historical circumstances of historians affected to some degree their interpretations of Alexander. Of the citations listed in this section, Tarn 1948 , Hammond 1989 , Lane Fox 1973 , and Martin and Blackwell 2012 hold a high opinion of the king, while Bosworth 1988 , Schachermeyer 1973 , and to a lesser extent Green 1992 are much more critical. The opinions of Cartledge 2004 , Briant 2010 , Anson 2013 , and Worthington 2014 are mixed. Since Bosworth published his history of Alexander in 1988, no other monograph has surpassed it. See also Worthington 2004 , cited under Alexander’s Youth and Philip II .

Anson, Edward M. 2013. Alexander the Great: Themes and issues . London: Bloomsbury Academic.

As opposed to a biography of the king, the book discusses the main issues of his career and its Greco-Macedonian background. Succinct summaries of scholarly opinions and the author’s suggested solutions to problems related to the history of Alexander makes it a useful work.

Bosworth, Albert Brian. 1988. Conquest and empire: The reign of Alexander the Great . Cambridge, UK: Cambridge Univ. Press.

Written by the leading expert on the topic, this book is arguably the best account of Alexander’s history to date. In addition to describing the Asian expedition, the book examines key aspects of Alexander’s reign and campaign.

Briant, Pierre. 2010. Alexander the Great and his empire: A short introduction . Translated by Amelie Kuhrt. Princeton, NJ: Princeton Univ. Press.

The book is an updated and revised version of the author’s 2002 Alexandre le Grand (Paris: Presses Universitaires de France). It deals with the campaign thematically and with subjects such as Alexander’s motives, administration, the Persian response, numismatic and Near Eastern evidence, and his death. Briant’s Alexander is essentially a rational, pragmatic king.

Cartledge, Paul. 2004. Alexander the Great: The hunt for a new past . New York: Vintage.

A well-written and user-friendly account, which, although aiming at the nonspecialist, is well suited as an introduction to the subject.

Green, Peter. 1992. Alexander of Macedon, 356–323 B.C.: A historical biography . Berkeley: Univ. of California Press.

When first published in 1974 the book served as a welcomed antidote to the glorifying portrait of the king in Tarn 1948 . It is still valuable for its expansive panorama, insights, and balanced view of Alexander.

Hammond, Nicholas Geoffrey Lemprière. 1989. Alexander the Great: King, commander and statesman . 2d ed. Park Ridge, NJ: Noyes.

Written by a leading expert on ancient Macedonia, the book examines Alexander’s leadership qualities and especially his excellence as a general. The view is highly favorable, and the author refuses at times to acknowledge the value of sources other than Arrian’s Anabasis .

Lane Fox, Robin. 1973. Alexander the Great . London: Allen Lane.

This is one of the more popular books on Alexander and has been translated into a number of languages. The style is engaging, and the king resembles a Homeric hero more in line with Droysen than with Beloch or Bosworth. The notes are inconveniently grouped at the end of the book but are exhaustive, especially about the ancient evidence.

Martin, Thomas R., and Christopher Blackwell. 2012. Alexander the Great: The story of an ancient life . Cambridge, UK: Cambridge Univ. Press.

DOI: 10.1017/CBO9781139049498

An accessible book that offers a highly positive, at times even admiring, portrait of the king in contrast to the critical approach more common in current scholarship.

Schachermeyer, Fritz. 1973. Alexander der Grosse: Das Problem seiner Persönlichkeit und seines Wirkens . Sitzungsberichte der philosophisch-historischen Klasse 285. Vienna: Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften.

This hefty book is a reprint with occasional updates and modifications of the author’s 1949 monograph Alexander der Grosse: Ingenium und Macht (Graz, Austria: A. Pustet). There is much to learn from the erudite analysis, but the irritating rhetorical style, the excessive infusing of psychology, and the impact of the Nazi experience on the interpretation detract from the book’s value. The author’s paying tribute to Nazi ideology in previous publications should not be ignored.

Tarn, William Woodthorpe. 1948. Alexander the Great . 2 vols. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge Univ. Press.

Much inspired by Droysen’s Geschichte Alexanders des Großen , Tarn’s Alexander is a flawless leader who dreamt of the unity of mankind under his benevolent rule. The thesis was demolished especially by Ernest Badian’s works (see Badian 2012 and Badian 1976 , cited under Collections of Papers , and Badian 1958 , cited under Alexander’s Aims and Plans ). Yet a number of individual investigations in the second volume are still useful.

Worthington, Ian. 2014. By the spear: Philip II, Alexander the Great, and the rise and fall of the Macedonian Empire . Oxford: Oxford Univ. Press.

The book describes the reigns of Philip II and Alexander and compares and contrasts the challenges they faced as well as their roles as empire- and nation- builders, with Philip getting the higher marks.

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World history

Course: world history   >   unit 2.

• Philip of Macedon unifies Greece
• Alexander the Great takes power
• Alexander the Great conquers Persia
• Diadochi and the Hellenistic Period

Alexander the Great

• Alexander the Great was famous for his military power and is a legendary figure in history.
• Much of what we know about Alexander the Great is unreliable and steeped in myth; a lot of these mythologies were used by Alexander’s successors.

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ENCYCLOPEDIC ENTRY

Alexander the great.

Alexander the Great, a Macedonian king, conquered the eastern Mediterranean, Egypt, the Middle East, and parts of Asia in a remarkably short period of time. His empire ushered in significant cultural changes in the lands he conquered and changed the course of the region’s history.

Geography, Human Geography, Social Studies, Ancient Civilizations

Photo of a marble bust of a man.

Photograph by Kenneth Garrett, National Geographic

Alexander the Great , also known as Alexander III or Alexander of Macedonia is known as one of the greatest generals in all history.

Alexander was born in 356 B.C.E. in Pella, Macedonia, to King Philip II. As a young boy, Alexander was taught to read, write, and play the lyre. He developed a life-long love of reading and music. When Alexander was a teenager, his father hired Aristotle to be his private tutor. He studied with Aristotle for three years and from Aristotle ’s teachings, Alexander developed a love of science, particularly of medicine and botany . Alexander included  botanists and scientists in his army to study the lands he conquered .

In 336 B.C.E., at age 20, Alexander became king of Macedonia when a political rival assassinated his father. Alexander began his reign by subduing rivals in the Greek and Macedonian regions. At a council of the League of Corinth, he was chosen as the commander of a military invasion of Asia. King Alexander began his invasion of the Middle East in 334 B.C.E. He spent most of his reign on a military campaign through northeast Africa and southwestern Asia.

Alexander built many new cities in the lands he conquered , including Alexandria in Egypt. He went on to conquer the lands of the Persian Empire, establishing more cities, and like Alexandria, often naming them after himself. His conquest continued through Asia until he reached the shores of the Ganga (Ganges) River in India. At this point, his army refused to continue further into India, exhausted and discouraged by heavy rains.

Alexander was 32 when he died in 323 B.C.E.

During his 13-year reign as the king of Macedonia, Alexander created one of the largest empires of the ancient world, stretching from Greece to northwestern India.

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Alexander the Great: A Very Short Introduction

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Alexander the Great: A Very Short Introduction demonstrates the profound influence the legends of Alexander's life have had on our historical understanding of him by focusing on the evidence from his own time. Aged just 20, Alexander the Great became king of Macedon in 336 bc ; he died aged 32. During his reign, he conquered the Achaemenid Persian Empire, the largest empire that had ever existed, leading his army from Greece to Pakistan, and from the Libyan desert to the steppes of Central Asia. He had a profound effect on the world he moved through and his achievements became legendary both in his lifetime and in the centuries that followed.

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72 Alexander The Great Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best alexander the great topic ideas & essay examples, ⭐ good research topics about alexander the great, 🧐 interesting topics to write about alexander the great, ❓ alexander the great essay questions.

• Political and Cultural Impact of Alexander the Great’s Conquests Due to many territories that he conquered, the dominion that Alexander the Great had was regarded as one of the greatest in the history of the world.
• Alexander the Great and the Hellenistic Legacy In the background of this pressure Alexander took up his campaign to Persia, conquering the people of the country and then taking their wealth and the surviving soldiers to his empire.
• Alexander the Great (1956) by Robert Rossen The classic film, Alexander the Great, follows the life of Alexander the Great, a successful military commander of all time who had conquered most of the known world by the time of his death at […]
• What if Alexander the Great Has Lived Longer And all of this by the time he died at the age of 32, raising the question of what Alexander could have accomplished if he had lived longer.
• Alexander the Great: A Pioneer of Western Civilization Alexander the Great used the Roman Empire to spread Greek civilization to Europe and the rest of the world. The Greek Macedonian Empire that was established by Alexander the Great extended to many parts of […]
• Alexander the Great and Stoicism Just like his father he proved to be a great warrior and led his army to conquer the whole world, at least the world known to the Greeks.
• Alexander the Great: Western Civilization The spread of the Greek language to other parts of the world was due to the introduction of the Macedonian culture to the Persian Empire.
• Image of Sculpture of Alexander the Great The image provided is identified as the sculpture of Alexander the Great. It was made out of marble during the reign of Alexander the Great and was initially found in Greece.
• Alexander the Great: The First Superhero of Western Civilization Thus, despite the irrefutable victories of Alexander the Great, it is difficult to call him the first true superhero of Western civilization because of the methods to which he resorted.
• The Genius of Alexander the Great The sight of the assassination of his father is said to have possibly haunted him for the rest of his life, both as a king and during his private life.
• Alexander the Great, Military Intellectual When Olympia was pregnant, the god’s are said to have communicated to her and the husband in a dream on the nature of the child to be born.
• Alexander the Great’s Conquest of Persian Empire The death of Alexander the Great shook the empire, beginning the process of the division and undoing of his legacy as many of the conquered regions saw opportunities to relinquish the Hellenistic rule.
• Alexander the Great – the King of Macedonia Alexander, the king of Macedonia or more commonly, Alexander the Great is thought to be the most significant military leader of the ancient world.
• Alexander the Great’s Reign Alexander the Great is often considered the best leader in his times because he introduced a new order in the world by uniting the east with the west.
• Alexander the Great: The Blending of Cultures The evidence of his greatness is revealed by the massive conquests he made. He was assassinated in the process, and Alexander took over the throne.
• King’s Life: Alexander the Great Alexander and his father Philip the king had a conflict, when the king decided to marry Cleopatra Eurydice who was a relative to one of kings general.
• Comparison of the Leadership Style of Solon and Alexander the Great
• Alexander the Great and Caesar – Two Prominent World Rulers
• Alexander the Great: His Influence on Future Military Leadership and Tactics
• Alexander the Great: His Relationship with his Father. How he came to Power?
• One Of The Greatest Military Intellectual Of All Times
• Alexander the Great’s Success was a Combination of Genius, Bold Thinking, and Pure Luck
• Alexander the Great: Strenghts and Weaknesses as a Person, Statesman and Leader
• Alexander the Great vs Napoleon Bonaparte, What I Got so Far?
• Analysis of the Mysteries Surrounding the Death of Alexander the Great, the Basileus of Macedon, Hegemon of the Hellenic League, Shahanshah of Persia, Pharaoh of Egypt and Lord of Asia
• Analysis of the Painting, Alexander the Great Receiving the Family of Darius III by Francois-Xavier Fabre
• Comparing Alec D’Urberville and Alexander
• Confucius, Alexander the Great & Socrates
• Does Alexander the Great Deserve His Reputation?
• How Did Alexander The Great Manage To Conquer So Much Territory In So Quickly?
• Biography and Life Work of Alexander the Great, a Macedonian General
• Alexander the Great a Military Genius Born in Macedonia
• Alexander The Great And His Works Impact On The World Well
• King of Macedonia and Ancient Greece
• Alexander The Great: Establishing The Supremacy Of Western Thought
• Evaluation of the Leadership Strategy of Alexander the Great vs. Near Eastern Imperial Rule
• Logistics And Sieges Of Alexander The Great
• Methodology of Machiavelli and Alexander The Great
• Neo-Freudian Psychoanalytical Theory Paper on Alexander the Great
• The Fascination and Relevance of Alexander the Great in the Contemporary World
• Who Was Alexander the Great?
• What Did Alexander Learn From Aristotle?
• How Did Alexander the Great’s Conquest Impact the Greek People?
• What Was the Significance of the Victory at Issus for Alexander the Great and the Defeat for Darius?
• Does Alexander the Great Deserve His Title “The Great?”
• What Were Alexander’s Strengths as a Politician?
• How Did Alcohol Affect Alexander the Great?
• Does Alexander the Great Merit His Exalted Historical Reputation?
• How Did Alexander the Great Manage to Conquer So Much Territory So Quickly?
• Was Alexander the Great Greek?
• How Great Was Alexander the Great?
• What Legacy Did Alexander the Great Leave Behind?
• What Were the Achievements of Alexander the Great in Macedonia?
• Why Alexander the Great Was a Great Military Leader?
• What Were Alexander’s Strengths as a Military Leader?
• How Did Philip and Olympias Individually Influence Alexander’s Development?
• What Was the Leadership Strategy of Alexander the Great?
• Why Was Alexander Anxious About His Succession?
• Was Alexander Inconsistent in His Treatment of Conquered Cities? If So or if Not, How and Why?
• How Did Alexander the Great Change a History?
• Is Alexander the Great One of the Greatest Military Leaders of the Time?
• How Did Alexander Die?
• What Was Alexander’s Hope for Greek Culture?
• Who Was Alexander’s Hero? How Do You Think Having a Hero Impacted Alexander?
• How Far Did Alexander’s Empire Spread?
• What Was Alexander’s Goal to Unite the People of His New Empire?
• How Did Alexander Deal With Enemies and Potential Opponents?
• Was Alexander the Great an Idealistic Visionary Who Wanted to Create a New Society by Combining the Best of Greek and Persian Culture?
• How Do the Elements of Greek Culture Affect the Plot of Alexander the Great?
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Home — Essay Samples — History — Ancient Greece — Alexander The Great

Essays on Alexander The Great

Alexander the Great was one of the most influential leaders in history, and writing an essay about him can be a valuable exercise in understanding the impact of his conquests and legacy. Here are some reasons why writing an essay on Alexander the Great is important:

• Historical significance: Alexander the Great's conquests and the spread of Hellenistic culture had a profound impact on the ancient world. Understanding his achievements and the historical context in which he lived is essential for gaining insights into the development of Western civilization.
• Leadership and military strategy: Alexander the Great was a brilliant military leader who achieved remarkable success in battle. Studying his leadership style and military strategies can provide valuable lessons in leadership and management.
• Cultural influence: Alexander's conquests led to the spread of Greek culture and ideas across the ancient world. Exploring the cultural impact of his conquests can shed light on the interconnectedness of different civilizations and the exchange of ideas in the ancient world.

Writing Tips:

• Research extensively: Before writing your essay, make sure to research Alexander the Great's life, conquests, and legacy thoroughly. Use reputable sources such as academic journals, history books, and scholarly articles to gather information.
• Organize your thoughts: Create an outline for your essay to organize your thoughts and ensure a logical flow of ideas. Consider dividing your essay into sections such as early life, conquests, and legacy to structure your writing.
• Analyze and interpret: Instead of simply recounting the events of Alexander's life, strive to analyze and interpret the significance of his actions. Consider the motivations behind his conquests, the impact of his rule on different regions, and the long-term effects of his legacy.
• Use primary sources: Incorporating primary sources such as historical texts, letters, and speeches from the time of Alexander the Great can add depth and authenticity to your essay. Analyzing primary sources can provide insights into the perspectives of people from the ancient world.
• Edit and revise: After completing your essay, take the time to edit and revise your work. Check for grammatical errors, clarity of expression, and coherence of arguments. Consider seeking feedback from peers or instructors to improve the quality of your writing.

What Makes a Good Alexander The Great essay topic

When tasked with writing an essay about Alexander The Great, it's important to choose a topic that is not only interesting but also allows for in-depth exploration and analysis. To brainstorm and choose an essay topic, consider the aspects of Alexander's life and legacy that intrigue you the most. Think about the impact of his conquests, his leadership style, or his influence on future leaders. A good essay topic should be focused, specific, and allow for critical thinking and argumentation. Consider the historical significance, controversies, or lesser-known aspects of Alexander's life for a unique and engaging essay topic.

Best Alexander The Great Essay Topics

• The Legacy of Alexander The Great's Conquests
• The Influence of Alexander The Great on Hellenistic Culture
• Leadership Style of Alexander The Great
• The Impact of Alexander The Great on Military Strategy
• The Mythologizing of Alexander The Great
• Alexander The Great's Relationships with His Generals
• The Role of Women in Alexander The Great's Empire
• Alexander The Great's Influence on Eastern and Western Cultures
• The Religious Policies of Alexander The Great
• The Death of Alexander The Great: Mystery and Controversy
• The Cultural Exchange in the Hellenistic World
• The Architectural Legacy of Alexander The Great
• Alexander The Great's Influence on Modern Military Leaders
• The Psychological Profile of Alexander The Great
• Alexander The Great's Impact on Literature and Philosophy
• The Economic Policies of Alexander The Great
• The Role of Propaganda in Alexander The Great's Reign
• The Environmental Impact of Alexander The Great's Conquests
• The Legacy of Alexander The Great in Art and Sculpture
• The Educational Reforms of Alexander The Great

Alexander The Great Essay Topics Prompts

• If Alexander The Great had not died at a young age, how might the course of history have been different?
• Explore the portrayal of Alexander The Great in popular culture and its accuracy compared to historical records.
• Investigate the role of women in Alexander The Great's empire and their influence on politics and society.
• Compare the leadership styles of Alexander The Great and other historical conquerors.
• Analyze the psychological motivations behind Alexander The Great's conquests and their impact on his decision-making.

Alexander The Great: a Rhetorical Analysis

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The Life of Conquest is The Life of Alexander The Great

Alexander the great: life, empire and legacy, alexander the great as one of the greatest military leaders of the time, an attempt to expose the image of alexander the great, the life and reign of alexander the great and charlemagne, the era of alexander and the start of the hellenistic period, the story of legendary alexander iii of macedonia, the military achievements and personal life of alexender the great, wars of alexander the great: battle of the hydaspes river, comparison between alexander the great and julius caesar, consequences of the hellenistic period, achievements of alexander the great.

20 or 21 July 356 BC

10 or 11 June 323 BC (aged 32)

Philip II of Macedon

The ancient kingdom of Macedonia

Alexander III, Alexander of Macedonia

Alexander was the son of Philip II of Macedonia and Olympias. He was taught by the Greek philosopher Aristotle from the age of 13 to 16. Aristotle inspired young Alexander's interests in philosophy, medicine, and scientific investigation.

Alexander the Great was a king of ancient Macedonia and changed the course of history. He established the largest empire the ancient world had ever seen that stretched from Macedonia to Egypt and from Greece to part of India. Alexander III was one of the greatest military leader of antiquity.

His death is still a mystery. Alexander the Great died in Babylon, he became ill after a prolonged banquet. The most popular theories claim that he was poisoned or that he died of environmental causes such as malaria, lung infection.

“I am indebted to my father for living, but to my teacher for living well." “There is nothing impossible to him who will try.” “I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion.” “When we give someone our time, we actually give a portion of our life that we will never take back.”

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Alexander The Great - List of Free Essay Examples And Topic Ideas

Alexander the Great was a historical figure known for his military prowess and the creation of one of the largest empires in ancient history. Essays on Alexander the Great could explore his life, campaigns, and strategies, his impact on the cultures and regions he conquered, and his lasting legacy. Discussions might also include assessments of his leadership and analyses of historical and contemporary interpretations of his actions and achievements. A substantial compilation of free essay instances related to Alexander The Great you can find in Papersowl database. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

Was Alexander the Great Really “Great”?

Alexander the great once said, “I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion.” This quote from Alexander shows his leadership knowledge. He knew what it took to be a great leader who lead his army on the front line afraid of nothing. Although Alexander the great caused over 100,000 people to die and was very greedy but, he is still one of the […]

Alexander the Great, a Great General but not so Great of and Administrator

Many have argued that Alexander III of Macedon (356 BC-323 BC) commonly known as Alexander the Great, that the collapse of his empire was caused primarily by his death, however the primary cause of collapse of his empire was his failure to lead and administer the state. For it is this which is the most notable result of Alexander's life and work; for all his military prowess, he was one of the world's greatest failures""and that failure spelt misery and […]

Alexander III of Macedon

Alexander III of Macedon made a impact on his people. Alexander the great earned his title as the great. He achieved many things in his life. A lot of people still remember him after he passed. He did a lot for his people. He was king of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon. He was born in Pella in 356 BC. He was smart and great opportunities being a prince to learn from the best smartest people. He showed that […]

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Alexander the Great – King of Macedonia and Ancient Greece

Who is Alexander the Great? Alexander the Great is was the king of Macedonia and Ancient Greece. He may be known as the greatest military commander in history. Alexander the Great was born July 20, 356 BC. Alexander died at a very young age at 32. At a young age he accomplished a lot of things in his short life. Alexander's accomplishments was to do so much in his lifetime even thought it was such a lasting affect to him. […]

Alexander the Great Biography

Born on September 20, 356 B.C. and tutored by the one and only Aristotle at a young age. Alexander took control over nearly all of the eastern Mediterranean countries within 11 years of his life. Before his father's death in 338 B.C., he and his father conducted the Companion Cavalry and helped him demolish the Athenian and Theban Forces of Chaeronea. With such history of crumbling empires from his father Phillip, Alexander continued his fathers deeds with skills off and […]

Alexander: Brave and Successful Leader

By the time Alexander was thirty-two, he ruled the largest western empire of the ancient world. He once said ""toil and risk are the prices of glory, but it is a lovely thing to live with courage and die leaving an everlasting fame"". Alexander was a very brave and successful leader whose strategies were skillful and imaginative. His use of cavalry was so effective that he rarely had to fall back upon his infantry to deliver the crushing below. He […]

Alexander the Great was One of the Greatest Leaders

In this paper I will be covering his early life, what he did while he was ruling and what happened to Rome after he died. Alexander the Great was born in the Pella Region, located in Macedonia, on July 20, 356 B.C. to parents King Phillip II and Queen Olympia. Alexander and his sister were raised in Pella's royal court. Alexander's father was not a big part of his life, King Phillip spent most of his time in military campaigns. […]

Alexander the Great the Gleaming Pearl of Ancient Greece

In the history of the ancient world, there are outstanding leaders with strategic minds and the ability to defeat all enemies. Among the most talented kings in the world, the most important one is probably Alexander the Great. Alexander the Great (356 - 323 BC) was the emperor who crushed the mighty Persian Empire and built the Greek Empire. He was a natural military genius and also considered to be a great contributor to the development of the history of […]

Who is Alexander the Great?

Alexander the Great accumulated the largest empire in the ancient world in about thirteen years. His empire was over 3000 miles wide. In the end of his conquest his empire spanned from Macedonia all the way to India and the Indus River Valley. (""Alexander the Great."") Alexander the Great was born in 356 BC. to his father Philip II, king of Macedonia. As he grew up he watched his father turn Macedonia into a strong military power. When Alexander was […]

Macedonia: Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great was born in 356 B.C, and was the son of King Philip II of Macedonia. He was born in the city of Pella. According to legend, Alexander's real father was Zeus. Philip was often away at war, so Alexander rarely saw his father. His mother, Olympias, may also have instilled in him a resentment of his father. By the age of twelve, Alexander had tamed a wild horse named Bucephalus. For the majority of Alexander's life, the […]

Conquests of Alexander the Great

Alexander was set up to succeed his dad Philip II through watchful direction. When his dad kicked the bucket, he had mentored him from multiple points of view and he had additionally set the ground for his successes. Alexander acquired a urbanized people, an efficient military, and philosophical and military training and he used his insight to vanquish Persia and different parts of Asia. His heritage comprised of his despotic governments and utilization of military power as a major aspect […]

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Free Research Paper On Alexander The Great

Type of paper: Research Paper

Topic: Leadership , History , London , World , Parents , Life , Middle East , Family

Words: 1000

Published: 01/06/2020

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Alexander the Great was born in 356 B.C in an era of substantial changes. One of the famous people of these changes was his father Philip II, which gave Alexander the Great a Hellenic Leagues to rule over. As a matter of fact, Alexander became a king at an early age to not only Macedon, but also the mainland Greece. Alexander the Great was known as Alexander III of Macedon. Certainly, Alexander was born in Pella, where he underwent tutorials until he was sixteen, under the guidance of Aristotle. Perhaps, by thirty years of age, Alexander the Great had founded the largest ancient empires in the globe. On the battlefield, he was undefeated, making him one of the successful commanders in history. The leadership of Alexander the Great began in the year 336 BC when he succeeded his father, Philip II of Macedon. His father was assassinated, and his assassination led to various rebellions and conquest. Additionally, Alexander became the heir of the Persian invasion, and idea that Philip II of Macedonia had dreamed of conquering (Beddall, 2008).

Conversely, in the year 366 BC Alexander defeated Persians this ended the enmity among Persia, Macedonia and Greece. In fact, this legacy brought about by Alexander left tremendous impacts in the western world; This included, building styles, democracy, mathematics, science, medicine, love of literature and theater, philosophy, as well as the valuing of physical beauty (Cawthorne, 2004). The strength and leadership traits of Alexander are attributed to his strong parents, as well as outstanding teachers. In his entire life, Alexander had a lot of passion for hunting, music, literature and animals.

Aristotle in his teachings promoted non-Greek belief, in that they were slaves by nature, this encouraged the prince to conquer. However, Alexander rejected this belief, and tried to be friendly to the Persians. In Macedon, Alexander had a chance to prove his power and strength in various battlefields. In fact, he contributed to the success of his father in conquering Thebes and Athens at Chaeronea. In his life, Alexander took up advanced and the gradual conquest of various territories (Langley, 1997). In the process of conquest, Darius who was the King of Persia decided to face Alexander by himself. One of the significant and key battles that Alexander emerged victorious includes Gaugamela and Issus. Moreover, Alexander conquered Babylon, Phoenicia, as well as Egypt which proved his strength and valuable acquisition of empires (Cummings, 2004).

Alexander ascended to the throne of Macedonian and displaced many of his domestic leaders through execution. In this case, he eliminated all the potential rivals; for example, Alexander ordered the execution of his cousin Anmyntas IV, and Lyncestes (Burgan, et al, 2006). Perdiccas, who was Alexander’s general attacked the city and broke the gates, whereby, Alexander and his army prevented Thebans reaction. The Macedonians entered the city of Thebans and killed many people and those who survived were sold as slaves. Before crossing the Asian region, Alexander the Great, safeguarded the northern borders through the Balkan campaign. He conquered Amphipolis and Thracian. In his entire campaign, Alexander utilizes his creativity, intelligence, knowledge, as well as strength (Cawthorne, 2004).

Alexander used various strategies in conquering states; his tactics included fights, leaves for his army, reduction of taxes, and the creation of the new month. Perhaps, in his way Alexander destroyed the Troy the home of Achilles, and arrived in Gordium through skills and cheat. The legendary knot in Gordium made Alexander the Asia undisputed ruler. Alexander made advances in the conquest and defeated one of the Darius’s murderers, the Bessus. In his mind, he understood that he will receive a lot of fame and credit by punishing one of the Kings killers. It was discovered that there was a plan to kill Alexander; the plot was carried out by Philotas and General Parmenion (Beddall, 2008).

Thereafter, Alexander conquered Sogdiana and married Roxane, the daughter of Sogdians leader. Alexander then entered India, where he received minimal resistance from the Porus, who he defeated based on good luck and witty tactics. Perhaps, Alexander was ready to conquer the Eastern region of the Ocean, whereby they believed was the end of the world. Alexander faced the resistance of his soldiers who complained of homesick and being tired and could not continue with the conquest (Cummings, 2004). Alexander was frustrated at the fact that he could not conquer other kings and kingdoms. Alexander had no option but to go back home, conquering tribes along the Arabian Sea. Many of the soldiers died, but this did not deter Alexander from punishing disloyal governors and generals. Alexander died in the year 323 BC in Nebuchadnezzar II palace (Burgan, et al, 2006).

In general perspective, Alexander is one of the greatest rulers in the globe. Among the Greeks, religion was very important part of their life. Alexander was also a believer of the god Ammon and spread it eastwards. Moreover, Alexander was a much respected ruler, since he was sensitive to religion and cultural issues (Cummings, 2004). As a matter of fact, Alexander’s conquest and route to power is one of the revolutionary history, this is because he used various strategies in conquering states. He employed military tactics, mental and physical determination, and ruthless political tactics. In the entire globe, Alexander still remains an inspirational leader, and his history remains one of the popular.

Beddall, F. (2008). Alexander the Great. London: Pearson Education Limited

Burgan, M., Carney, E & Kesselring, S. (2006). Alexander the Great. World Conqueror. Minneapolis: Compass Cawthorne, N. (2004). Alexander the Great. London: Haus Cummings, L. (2004). Alexander the Great. New York: Grove Press Langley, A. (1997). Alexander the Great: The Greatest Ruler of the Ancient World. Oxford: Oxford University press

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