Alexander the Great: Conqueror with an Indomitable Spirit

Authors

  • Changhao Sheng

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61173/bd0hpj54

Keywords:

Alexander the Great, Hellenistic civilization, Persian Empire, Battle of Gaugamela, Macedonian army, religious syncretism

Abstract

This essay explores the remarkable life and indomitable spirit of Alexander the Great, one of history’s most renowned military leaders. Through a comprehensive examination of his conquests, strategic brilliance, and unyielding determination, this paper aims to shed light on how the faith of Alexander the Great contributed to making him a true conqueror. Beginning with an overview of Alexander’s upbringing under the tutelage of the great philosopher Aristotle, this essay delves into the formation of his ambitious character and insatiable thirst for knowledge, specifically his visit to the Oracles of Delphi and Amun. From an early age, Alexander demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and an unshakable belief in his divine destiny to conquer the known world. Moreover, this paper explores Alexander’s challenges during his conquests, including the arduous journeys, devastating battles, and managing diverse cultures under his rule. Despite these obstacles, his religion-fueled, indomitable spirit enabled him to overcome adversity and emerge victorious time and again. The essay then examines the idea of religious syncretism in the ruling philosophy of Alexander the Great as he expanded his empire to encompass a diverse population and culture. Ultimately, this essay seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of Alexander the Great, delving beyond his military exploits to reveal a man whose ambition and character were shaped by his religious experiences.

References

[1] BIOGRAPHY of Alexander the Great, Frank W. Walbank, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alexander-the-Great/ Evaluation

[2] The Dramatic Assassination of Philip II of Macedon, Jule Romans, https://owlcation.com/humanities/Assassination-Philip- II-Macedon

[3] Alexander the Great and Aristotle, Ion Soteropoulos, https:// totallyhistory.com/alexander-the-great-and-aristotle/

[4] Merlan, P.(1954). Socrates, Aristotle, and Alexander the Great. Historia: Zeitschrift fur Alte Geschichte, (H. 1),60-81 Dean&Francis

[5] Arrian(Lucius Flavius Arrianus ‘Xenophon’), Anabasis Alexandri,1.11. 6–16.7

[6] Ernst Fredricks meyer, Chapter Ten: Alexander’s Religion and Divinity, Brill’s Companion to Alexander the Great, 253- 278, 2003

[7] BIOGRAPHY of Alexander the Great, Frank W. Walbank, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alexander-the-Great/ Evaluation

[8] Klaus P Kuhlmann Ancient History Resources for Teachers 18 (2), 65, 1988

[9] Robert C. L. Holmes, MA Ancient & Medieval History, BA Archaeology. http://ancientheroes.net/blog/alexander-the-greatzeus-ammon

[10] Strabo, Geography,17.1.43

[11] Jennifer Finn,Alexander the Great and Egypt: History, Art, Tradition, Journal of the American Oriental Society 136 (2), 450-452, 2016

[12] Eugene N Borza, The royal Macedonian tombs and the paraphernalia of Alexander the Great, Phoenix 41 (2), 105-121,

[13] J Montero(2020) -Environment, Social Justice, and the Media in the Age of the Anthropocene - The Global and Utopian Empire of Alexander the Great

[14] Feeling an affinity with Alexander the Great, Akbar commissioned a special manuscript on his life,Ursula Sims Wiliams. https://scroll.in/article/1044229/feeling-an-affinitywith-alexander-the-great-akbar-commissioned-a-specialmanuscript-on-his-life

[15] Waldemar Heckel, Parmenion, The Encyclopedia of Ancient History, 2013

[16] David Golan, The fate of a court historian, Callisthenes, Athenaeum 66, 99, 1988

[17] Plutarch, Parallel Lives, book XIV

[18] Ernst Fredricksmeyer, Chapter Ten: Alexander’s Religion and Divinity, Brill’s Companion to Alexander the Great, 253- 278, 2003

[19] Michèle Smith, The Failure of Alexander’s Conquest and Administration of Bactria-Sogdiana Hindu 101, 64-71, 1981

[20] Stanley M Burstein, The tomb of Philip II and the succession of Alexander the Great, Echos du monde classique: Classical views 26 (2), 141-163, 1982

[21] R Develin,The murder of Philip II, Antichthon 15, 86-99,

[22] E Alexander Fredricksmeyer, Alexander and Philip: Emulation and resentment, The Classical Journal 85 (4), 300- 315, 1990

Downloads

Published

2024-02-19