Alexander the Great, Research Paper Example

Born in Macedon, Alexander III was the son of King Philip II and Queen Olympia. Alexander lived a short, but accomplished life from 356-323 B.C. This was a tumultuous time in history (Barksdale). Though there were many great philosophical awakenings during this period, there was still a strong basal, linear-logic that permeated society. In an effort to educate and introduce a level of sophistication to Alexander that was befitting his status as a prince, King Philip commissioned the great teachers and philosophical thinkers of the time to train his son.

Alexander was instructed by many remarkable minds, but his primary mentors during his pre-teen years were Lysimachus and Leonidas (“AmblesideOnline: Alexander the Great”). He enjoyed the process of learning, though he was reported to be a challenging pupil. Alexander was consumed with the idea of “greatness” and the feeling of winning. He loved to role-play as if he were the Greek god Achilles.

Alexander’s relationship with his father was tenuous. Alexander was greatly influenced by his mother. His father’s absenteeism due to battle and philandering ways, may have contributed to Alexander’s obvious resentment of King Philip II. The King however, did not share the bad blood; Philip saw greatness in his son. He knew the boy could be difficult to teach, especially as he approached his teenage years.

Alexander had confidence and self assurance, even at a young age. His bigger than life personality dictated his relationships. He could not be forced to do anything; persuasion would prove to be the most effective instruction method for the young prince. To solidify his son’s philosophical and educational foundation the King had to challenge and engage the prince. To accomplish this he brought in Aristotle to instruct the budding young student at age 13 (Rufus 11).

The pubescent prince was tutored by the great philosopher through his adolescence on into adulthood. Aristotle remained a trusted advisor to Alexander after he ascended to the throne (Barksdale). Under the great thinker’s tutelage, Alexander began his intellectual transformation from youth to manhood. His father was elated at the thought of his son having the good fortune to be born during a time in which he could enjoy the teachings of what would become one of the world’s greatest philosophical influences (Rufus 11).

Alexander embraced the wisdom of Aristotle. When Aristotle published his philosophical ideology Alexander was incensed. He did not want the truth imparted by the great teacher to be available to all (“AmblesideOnline: Alexander the Great”). He wrote to the academic and chastised him for divulging the information to the masses (Rufus 23).

Throughout his life Alexander was not afraid to challenge anyone. He had well publicized arguments with many philosophical and academic leaders of the time (Barksdale). His fearless confidence only grew with age, so that by the time of his father’s death he had achieved a sense of self that was beyond his years.

King Philip spent much of his life expanding his empire. This caused a rift between the king and his son. The queen further fueled the discord, creating palpable resentment toward the king on the part of Alexander. Alexander was close to his mother, which by some accounts, colored his view of King Philip. Inspired by the need to be revered above all others, it is no wonder that the young prince set his sights on expansion of the Macedonian empire.

Though he possessed wisdom beyond his years, he was consumed with acquiring the adulation that comes with victory. Alexander preferred to take over a country at war as opposed to presiding over a nation at peace. He lamented to friends that he thought there would be nothing left for him to conquer if his father continued to expand the Macedonian Empire (Rufus 16).

Alexander entered into the military one year after he finished his education. He was a teenager when he became a soldier and undertook his first military mission. At the time his father managed to achieve his goal of uniting all of the Greek States, creating the Corinthian League (Rufus 16).

In 336 B. C King Philip II met an untimely death that proved fortuitous for 19-year-old Alexander. Alexander seized the throne and eventually took leadership of the Corinthian League and command of the military advancement against the Persian Empire (Barksdale

King Alexander’s first order of business was to shore up the Macedonian borders. He would accomplish this by conquering the Thracian Triballians in 335(Barksdale). He then commenced the 12 years of victorious campaigns and historic strategic planning (Lonsdale 111).

His second order of business was to intimidate his opponents. He did this by invading the city-state of Thebes, massacring the inhabitants and burning the city to the ground. This heavy handed tactic proved effective. ). After defeating the Persians he forced 92 Macedonian elite to marry Persian women in an effort to unite the two cultures (Barksdale). Though he faced formidable opponents with substantial resources the confident, scrappy King managed to strategize and utilize his forces to emerge victorious even in the most difficult situations (Lonsdale 111).

Alexander would lead the Macedonian military without losing a single campaign. Along the way he would name over 70 cities after himself (Barksdale). He was known for his desire to be god-like and revered as such. He was not large in stature, but his intellect, confidence and swagger were overwhelming. Intellectually he possessed a well-trained superior mind that only seemed to expand with time and experience. His military strategy has influenced everyone from Napoleon to modern day leaders (Lonsdale 144).

According to David Lonsdale, author of, Alexander the Great: Lessons in Strategy, “With the exception of a few minor setbacks (such as Halicarnassus and the first assault at the Persian Gates), as a strategist Alexander has a record of constant success over a remarkable length of time. During twelve years of campaigning he proved himself capable of defeating a range of enemies in vastly different circumstances and environments. To all intents and purposes Alexander was never defeated and achieved most, if not all, of his objectives (145).”

Through the confluence of timing and intellectual development Alexander the Great would exceed the military exploits of his father. He would go into the history books as one of the greatest military strategists of his time. His narcissistic desire to be equated with the gods was part of the tenacious fortitude that led to his victorious battle record and his suspicious death. In 323 B.C. he developed a fever from which he never recovered. He died in the city of Babylon as a victorious King on June 13, 323 B.C.

Works Cited

“AmblesideOnline: Alexander the Great.” AmblesideOnline, 2015. Web. 10 Dec. 2015.

Barksdale, Nate. “8 Surprising Facts about Alexander the Great.” History.com. 13 May 2014.Web. 9 Dec. 2015.

Lonsdale, David J. Alexander the Great: Lessons in Strategy. New York: Routledge 2007. Print

Rufus, Quintus Curtius .The History of the Life and Reign of Alexander the Great .London: Samuel Bagster 1809. Print.