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'''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.  

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>

==Life==

==Life==

Alexander was born in 356 BC to [[Philip II of Macedon]]. While growing up, Alexander was tutored by [[Aristotle]] from whom he learned philosophy and geography among other subjects.  Alexander's father was a warrior and unified Greece under his overall rule after defeating them militarily.  A young Alexander successfully led a cavalry regiment during this campaign in the decisive [[Battle of Chaeronea]].  Phillip planned to conquer [[Persia]] next, but was assassinated in 336. It is generally agreed that Alexander was not part of the plot, although his mother who was estranged from Phillip might have been.  

Alexander was born in 356 BC to [[Philip II of Macedon]]. While growing up, Alexander was tutored by [[Aristotle]] from whom he learned philosophy and geography among other subjects.  Alexander's father was a warrior and unified Greece under his overall rule after defeating them militarily.  A young Alexander successfully led a cavalry regiment during this campaign in the decisive [[Battle of Chaeronea]].  Phillip planned to conquer [[Persia]] next, but was assassinated in 336. It is generally agreed that Alexander was not part of the plot, although his mother who was estranged from Phillip might have been.  

* Bosworth, B. and ynham, eds. ''Alexander the Great in Fact and Fiction'' (2000).  

* Bosworth, B. and ynham, eds. ''Alexander the Great in Fact and Fiction'' (2000).  

* Cartledge, P. ''Alexander the Great'' (2004). scholarly biography

* Cartledge, P. ''Alexander the Great'' (2004). scholarly biography

* Flower, Michael A. "Not Great Man History: Reconceptualizing a Course on Alexander the Great," ''Classical World'', Volume 100, Number 4, Summer 2007, pp. 417-423 in [[Project MUSE]]

* Flower, Michael A. "Not Great Man History: Reconceptualizing a Course on Alexander the Great," ''Classical World'', Volume 100, Number 4, Summer 2007, pp.&nbsp;417–423 in [[Project MUSE]]

* Hamilton, J. R. ''Alexander the Great'' (1973), very good short biography

* Hamilton, J. R. ''Alexander the Great'' (1973), very good short biography

* Heckel, Waldemar. ''The Wars of Alexander the Great, 336-323'' (2003) [http://www.questia.com/read/108332151?title=The%20Wars%20of%20Alexander%20the%20Great%2c%20336-323%20B.C online edition]

* Heckel, Waldemar. ''The Wars of Alexander the Great, 336-323'' (2003) [http://www.questia.com/read/108332151?title=The%20Wars%20of%20Alexander%20the%20Great%2c%20336-323%20B.C online edition]

* Stoneman, Richard. ''Alexander the Great'' (2004) [http://www.questia.com/read/108250548?title=Alexander%20the%20Great online edition]. 126pp

* Stoneman, Richard. ''Alexander the Great'' (2004) [http://www.questia.com/read/108250548?title=Alexander%20the%20Great online edition]. 126pp

== See Also ==

== See also ==

*[[The Diadochi]]

*[[The Diadochi]]

* [[List of military strategies and concepts]]

* [[List of military strategies and concepts]]

* [http://cdl.library.cornell.edu/cgi-bin/moa/moa-cgi?notisid=ABP2287-0057-71 Benjamin Ide Wheeler, "Alexander the Great. The Invasion of Asia and the Battle of the Granicus" (1899)]

* [http://cdl.library.cornell.edu/cgi-bin/moa/moa-cgi?notisid=ABP2287-0057-71 Benjamin Ide Wheeler, "Alexander the Great. The Invasion of Asia and the Battle of the Granicus" (1899)]

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====References====

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[[Category:Military History]]

[[Category:Military History]]