Alexander the Great 356BC-323BC
Without doubt one of the greatest military leaders of history. Not only did Alexander of Macedon conquer enormous areas of the known world but also he demonstrated dynamic leadership and masterful strategy on a large scale and tactics on the battlefield. During his campaigns, which stretched from ancient Greece to India, he fought in many conditions and waged many types of warfare from formal battles to counterinsurgency and sieges. The son of King Phillip II of Macedon, Alexander was educated by the philosopher Aristotle and first led troops at age 18. Many rumours persist about his rise to power, some legends say that his mother consorted with demons and that he murdered his father. Certainly Alexander has been worshipped as a god in some of the countries he ruled an idea he probably not only encouraged but enjoyed. He had a huge impact on world history spreading the seeds of western culture and philosophy across the the world and has legends about him in over 80 languages. He was head strong, violent and when drunk psychotic and without doubt bisexual but he was also extremely brave, politically cunning, loved by his men and a gifted leader of men. His organisational skills rate with those of Napoleon and his tactical skills with those of Wellington. He died at the age of 33 after a heavy drinking session, some claim poisoned but considering his live fast, die young lifestyle it is quite likely he died of a drink induced coma or stroke.
How to cite this article: Dugdale-Pointon, Tristan (18 November 2005) Alexander the Great, articles/people_alexander.html