Most people know Alexander as “Alexander the Great” but what did he accomplish? Why is he great? Does he deserve to be called “great”? Is he intelligent? Evil? I believe that Alexander the Great should still be called “great.” He used incredible war strategies. He influenced the Ancient World. He accomplished great achievements.
When Alexander was younger, he was a scholar learning from Aristotle, one of the famous philosophers. Aristotle taught Alexander about public speaking, science, and philosophy. Most importantly, Aristotle taught Alexander about the Greek culture. When Alexander’s father, King Philip II was assassinated, Alexander inherited his father’s power at age 20.
A few years later… After killing King Darius, the Persian King, Alexander was crowned king. Though he was now king, he still wanted more of the Ancient World. He was stopped by his army, because they didn’t want to go on more. There was a battle at the Hydaspes river in India in 326 BCE. There, Alexander and his troops pitched camp beside the river. Across the river, a prince named Porus had his army on the other side, waiting to attack. Porus’s army had people riding elephants! How was Alexander's army going to defeat them? Alexander noticing the elephants, decided to place his troops in all different places. When a battle cry filled the air, Alexander’s troops boxed in the eleplants!1 Alexander used his intelligence to outsmart Porus’s elephant army.1
Alexander influenced the whole Ancient World. After conquering almost all of the Ancient World, Alexander change the cultures and helping them learn the Greek way. How did he do this? Alexander made 11 towns, all called Alexandria.2 There, in the cities, he planted many missionaries, libraries, and cultural festivals. That’s how the Hindu Kush’s culture today is similar to the Grecians music, dances, and their worshiping gods.3 Alexander united all of his empire by putting out many missionaries and thinking about others.
Alexander also accomplished his dream: to control the Ancient World. He did it by beating the Persian Empire that was HUGE at the time. Being able to defeat a huge empire is amazing!The Persian Empire was the greatest Empire at the time. Starting out small, and then becoming huge is really amazing. And don’t forget that Alexander was the leader at age 20. He had 11 cities, where he conquested. All of them were called Alexandria.4
Therefore, Alexander the Great should be called great because he was very intelligent, he influence the ancient world, and he accomplished great achievements. I think Alexander the Great is great for accomplishing those goals, and being the person he is. You need them to become a good leader. What do you think?
1 From Alexander’s Battle Against Porus
2 From Alexander’s Empire (map)
3 From Alexander and Modern-Day Asia
4 From Alexander’s Empire (map)
