“Remember upon the conduct of each depends the fate of all.” These are the words of Alexander the Great. These words spoken so truly to reflect his passion of Greek culture, Alexander the Great expressed these words throughout his entire being. This famous man, who to some, was like a god, accomplished many impossible tasks to any ordinary person while spreading his love of Greek culture around the world.
On July 20, 356 BC, a legend was born to King Philip II and Queen Olympia. Alexander the Great was recognized early that he could change the world. He studied under an astonishing, Greek philosopher, Aristotle where he learned literature, exceptional writing skills and knowledge that broaden Alexander III into horizons that not many could imagine. Alexander had an obsession for knowledge which showed throughout his battles in his later years. He had very skilled military tactics and which he combined his vast knowledge to conquer all that he put his mind to. At the age of 18, Alexander took charge of the Companion Cavalry and helped his father in defeating the Athenian and Theban armies of Chaeronea. Learning from past warriors, from their feats to their fails, he was able to figure out how to achieve his own goals on the battle field along with skilled decision making.
Alexander the Great wanted to continue the expansion of Macedonia in which is father, King Philip was doing when Alexander was younger. After the death of his father, the Macedonian army supported Alexander the Great. When Alexander expanded Macedonia, he decided to go further and his acts were one of the most phenomenal expansions in history. He controlled the majority of Eastern Europe continents. After gaining this control, the economy of Macedonia and Eastern European continents flourished greatly. The trade route was astonishing and was strategically routed out by Alexander and his army. Their routes reached uncharted areas which gave it the power to be beyond exception with allowing exotic merchandise flowing throughout different lands and reaching the Macedonian people. This is exactly what Alexander the Great wanted to see.
Alexander the Great had the ability not only rule, but actually make his subjects feel just as important as he was. He was able to grant them freedoms in return for their loyalty in which was very successful for Alexander. He wanted diversity to his population in Macedonia, so he allowed different cultures to integrate. Alexander was a leader that didn’t put his subjects below him, but in a sense treated them as equals.
Alexander was a very motivated person and was driven by glory. He wanted to become a god and was inspired by a heroic Greek warrior, Achilles. Alexander modeled himself after Achilles and tried to reach beyond his potential. When Alexander felt that he was at the level of his hero, he wanted to cast revenge of Persia because of their invasion 150 years before Alexander the Great. He succeeded doing this with his army of 40,000 expanding his kingdom out all the way to the border of India. This was one of his best accomplishments through his reign.
Alexander’s military genius is undeniable. He enhanced the fine army inherited from his father, Philip II, by adding on forces from his allies; he strengthened his army, utilized his resources to weapons, and employed a group of engineers; he was invincible in warfare. His movements were shown by speed; his logistical, intelligence, and communications operations were perfection; and his ability to improvise was unchallenged. He was very strategic and thoughtful: rather than strike deep into Asia immediately, he spent nearly two years securing the coastal areas of Asia Minor and the Levant in order to ensure that Persian naval forces would not interdict his lines to Europe (History.com).
“There is nothing impossible to him who will try.” All of Alexander the Greats accomplishments were mostly done under the age of 30. His last battle with Persia and Egypt was when he was 30 and he died of malaria a couple of years later at the age of 32 in June 323 BC. His ability to conquer and complete so much at a young age is what separate Alexander the Great from the rest of the heroes made in history. Alexander the Great was ruthless and showed some of the most amazing leadership skills in history. He appeared to be fair to those who stood beside him and saw his people as what they are, people, not slaves as many leaders before and after Alexander had. His achievements were part of his own ambition and set to make a grand adventure that will continue to inspire many.