Is Alexander Great?  Alexander is Great. He was an amazing general, leader, and politician.  To understand Alexander's greatness we must consider unique circumstances he grew and thrived under.  He was a taught by none other than Aristotle on the fine arts such as reading, writing, and arithmetic.  He was taught in the art of war by his father, who had conquered Greece. By age sixteen Alexander the Great already played a major in the battle at Chaeronea. (World Military Leaders p 12) After his father was assassinated, Alexander the Great went on to destroy Persia and conquer the eastern Mediterranean sea board. He then conquered a large part of know Asia.  This progress was only hindered by three things;
1. was a mutiny at Asia's eastern frontier
2. a mutiny was caused by the integration of Asian troops into Alexander's army
3. he lost a large number of men in the Makran dessert.  
 In spite of all this Alexander never was defeated. 
Map of Alexanders Conquests

What can one learn about society  from its definition of greatness?  Greatness is the ability to rise above the average person, it is to be the best at something, and in some cases it is to be the best at everything. In the case Alexander the Great he was the best warrior, diplomat, and king.  He fought for thirteen years and was not defeated once. He treated the leaders and soldiers he captured with mercy. He even bowed down to other peoples gods to please the religious leaders.  In Napoleon's case he was the greatest french general to ever live. He was an amazing king, and a tenacious leader.  He captured all of Europe, parts of Africa, and even when he was forced to give up his crown his people still loved him.  Society is easily able to admit the greatness of  Alexander the Great and Napoleon.   Societies view of greatness is not always fair though.  Hitler is, by society's definition  great, he conquered all of Europe.  He rebuilt Germany from the ground up, and rebooted the worlds economy; yet he is remembered as the one the world worst tyrants.

Can time and distance change a persons reputation?   It can but not always for the best outcome.  In the case of Julius Caesar's was a tyrant and a murderer. but we are taught that he was a great leader since he implemented a few of the ideas we use in the American government.  Though he was actually a tyrant he is remembered, wrongfully, as a great leader.  There are also some cases in which the outcome is good.  In Alexanders case he was a leader, he cared for his people, and he was a political genius and military genius.  He was a true man by the definition of Macedonians.  He entertained the Persian diplomats and conversed at or above their level of thinking at age seventeen. He was and still is considered a great leader to day as he rightfully should be.

Citations: "Alexander the Great." Book/encyclopedia of the Ancient Greek World. N.p.: n.p., 2005. 14-18. Print.
Sienkewicz, Thomas J. "Alexander the Great." Encyclopedia of the Ancient World. Pasadena, CA: Salem, 2002. 228-29. Print.
Grossman, Mark. "Alexander the Great." N.p.: n.p., n.d. N. pag. Print.
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