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[[Image:Alexander_the_Great_2.jpg|thumb|150px|Alexander the Great]]

[[Image:Alexander_the_Great_2.jpg|thumb|150px|Alexander the Great]]

'''Alexander the Great''' (356 BC - 323 BC) was the outstanding military leader of the ancient world, leading Greek forces to the conquest of much of the Middle East, including Persia.  

'''Alexander the Great''' (356 BC - 323 BC) was the outstanding military leader of the ancient world, leading Greek forces to the conquest of much of the Middle East, including Persia, around the time of Jesus' birth<ref>[http://www.lessgovisthebestgov.com/from-Caesars-death-to-Jesus-birth.html From Caesar’s Death to Jesus’ Birth]</ref>.  

As is commonly the case with great conquerors, historians vary greatly in their opinions of Alexander. On the one hand he is seen as a civilizer who unified much of Europe and Asia, bringing advanced Hellenistic culture which flourished for centuries. The Roman historian Plutarch saw him as a philosopher-king with a universal vision of a harmonious world. The Romans admired him greatly for setting the stage for their own Empire, which in many ways was a continuation of his. Others saw Alexander as a ruthless, blood-thirsty tyrant, so self-centered that his only goal was to feed his insatiable need for power and lust for battle.<ref> On the debate see Professor Ian Worthington "How 'Great' was Alexander?" ''The Ancient History Bulletin'' [http://www.utexas.edu/courses/citylife/readings/great1.html v.13 #2 (1999) online]</ref>

As is commonly the case with great conquerors, historians vary greatly in their opinions of Alexander. On the one hand he is seen as a civilizer who unified much of Europe and Asia, bringing advanced Hellenistic culture which flourished for centuries. The Roman historian Plutarch saw him as a philosopher-king with a universal vision of a harmonious world. The Romans admired him greatly for setting the stage for their own Empire, which in many ways was a continuation of his. Others saw Alexander as a ruthless, blood-thirsty tyrant, so self-centered that his only goal was to feed his insatiable need for power and lust for battle.<ref> On the debate see Professor Ian Worthington "How 'Great' was Alexander?" ''The Ancient History Bulletin'' [http://www.utexas.edu/courses/citylife/readings/great1.html v.13 #2 (1999) online]</ref>