Do you know someone who conquered the world, spread Greek culture and ideas, helped people unite adopted foreign ways, used religion and customs, set up many settlements, and spread equality before the age 33?
The answer is Alexander the Great.
This man conquered 2,000,000 square miles, practically the entire ancient world! 1 While doing so, he managed to spread Greek culture and ideas. He created Greek cities with marketplaces, temples, theaters, and cities flourishing with laws, art, and literature. The text History Alive! The Ancient World explicitly states, “Alexandria (a city) was one of the most important centers for trade and learning,” (292). This city included a marketplace, university, gymnasium, theater, library, law courts, and a temple honoring Poseidon! Because of Alexander, Greek ideas spread to Egypt, the East, and beyond.
Alexander the Great united Greece by ending the Peloponnesian wars and got Greece and Macedonia to defeat the Persian empire. He also adopts foreign ways and methods. He used the Persian government, style of clothing, and way of greeting. He also married a Persian princess, to show he was one with Persian, Greek, and Macedonian cultures. This man would never give up to help the world.
This king set up 70 cities in his empire! 2 He helped those who accepted his rule by helping recreate damaged and destroyed cities. He was also equal to everyone. The story “The Legend of the Helmet” by Lucius Flavius Arrianus is the perfect example of when he was equal. He was quenching for thirst like everyone else in the army. When they found a small amount of water,
they immediately gave it to Alexander.
Alexander poured the water on the ground to symbolize that
he was as equal as everyone else.
After 300 years, Julius Caesar was crying when he saw Alexander’s statue because he had such a big impact around the world.
I have proved to you that Alexander was great because he conquered the world, spread Greek culture and ideas, helped people unite adopted foreign ways, used religion and customs, set up many settlements, and spread equality in his 13 years of ruling!
You can now agree with me, Alexander the Great!!
1: Chart of Alexander’s Legacy ~ Created from Various Sources
2: A map of Alexander’s Empire ~ Created from Various Sources
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