:Going back to Alexander the Great, though in a different capacity, I believe he exemplifies an interesting paradigm: a different mindset from that of most individuals today. ... These days it seems difficult to get people interested or motivated enough to do practically anything, much less achieve something spectacular. What is even more profound is Alexander’s primary reason for conquest: he wanted to see/discover the Pacific Ocean (I believe it was it was known in legend as the Eastern Sea, though I’m not positive). Due to his studies under Aristotle, Alexander believed that the earth was round, to the great dismay of many of his soldiers, and he wanted to look on, with his own two eyes, the body of water of which he knew must exist. This just occurs to me as a particularly fitting spark to the genius of one of the most influential historical figures ever, and is one of the foremost reasons why I enjoy studying history. The remarkable such inspiration and determination that drove a man to known as “the Great,” is nothing short of awe-inspiring. (Joe B.)