Alexander (Greatness Implied)

Posted in Uncategorized on June 7th, 2009 by sasif109

      ^^^^^^^^ I should not have to continue after you viewing this picture ^^^^^^^^

This blog is dedicated to one of the most influential and greatest individuals in history, Alexandros Philippou Makedonon.  He was one the greatest military leaders that walked the Earth, conquering much of the civilized world at that time. His legacy alone has been identified in scared texts such as the Bible, Qur’an, and the Shahnameh of Ferdowsi (one of the oldest books written in modern Persia). His legacy is still evident in our society, containing 11, 600 hits on Youtube.com and 39, 400, 000 hits on the site Google.com under the query entry “Alexander the great”.  Not many other historical figures are on the same plateau.

Not many compelling and genuine historical figures can claim that they have:

  • Opened a new era in World History that historians call the Hellenistic Age.
  • At 16 becomes the Regent of Macedonia, and in the same year founded a city called Alexandropolis.
  • Created an Empire that was one of the largest empires at that time that would reign for three centuries.
  • Defeated the great Persian army, shattered the Achaemenid forces, extending the empire from the Meditteranian to India.

In honor of the great individual a movie, directed by Oliver Stone, was released in 2004 called “Alexander”. This movie, stars actors such as Colin Farrell, playing as Alexander(Greatness Implied), Angelina Jolie, playing as Queen Olympias, and Val Kilmer, playing as Hephaestion. This cast just embodies the makings of a great film.

A brief Synopsis of the film for those who have not yet watched the film:

                       ”ALEXANDER, Oliver Stone’s sweeping historical saga that charts the life and legend of one of the greatest figures in world history. The story is an epic that is as daring and ambitious as its subject, a relentless conqueror who by the age of 32 had amassed the greatest empire the world had ever seen. Past and present collide to form the puzzle of the protagonist, a tapestry of triumphs and tragedies in which childhood memories and Alexander’s rise to power unfold side by side with the later day expansion of his empire, and its ultimate downfall. From his youth, fueled by dreams of glory and adventure, to his lonely and mysterious death as a ruler of a vast state, from the tumultuous relationship with his parents-a powerful king and a queen determined to put her child on the throne at any cost-to the rousing brotherly bonds with his closest companions and vast army, as they fought from the sun-scorched battlefields of the Persian Empire across the snow-peaked mountains of India, the film chronicles Alexander’s journey to become a living legend, a man who embraced the ideal that power has a destiny. ”

All credits given to http://www.cinema.com/film/8022/alexander/synopsis.phtml

Many critics and the movie review site Rottentomatoes.com  gave this film a 4 out of 10. Frankly, many feel that this film does not do Alexander justice in his struggles in his achievements. Robert Travers, a critic from for Rolling Stone, said, “The film fails, crucially, in getting us inside the head of a man who models himself on myth”.                                                                           

 

 This Film may not due this great historical figure justice, but only a few historical figures can say that they had two movies, “Alexander the Great”(1956) and “Alexander”(2004). Not to mention a video game to follow their success!!!!

     

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Released in 1956, Directed by Robert Rossen.

 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Alexander the video Game. Released on PC in 2004. An RTS(Real Time Strategy) game in where the gamer experiences the epic scope of Alexander’s conquests via historical campaigns, each with unique characteristics and resource management challenges, and featuring heroes from Alexander the Greats era. Players will fight real-time battles using formations, combat and authentic military tactics, while commanding vast armies in foreign lands.

 Alexander also received a song in his honor performed by Iron Maiden, which can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y89vfNpxbW0.

 

 Alexander’s Life…….

Alexander III of Macedonian was born at Pella, Macedonian in 356 B.C.E. His parents were King Phillip, father, and Olympias, mother. Alexander was a descendant of Achilles and Hercules, as told by his mother.

When Alexander was 13 he went under the wing and teachings of the wise Aristotle, a Greek philosopher. Aristotle sparked many interests of reading and learning, philosophy, science, and medicine.

At the age of 16, Alexander received one of his first true accomplishments. While his father was away, Alexander was called to Macedonia to put down a Thracian rebellion. In that event, Alexander did just that, he put down the rebellion and renamed the rebel’s stronghold after himself, Alexandropoulos.

In 336 B.C.E., Alexander took the throne as the King of Macedonia after his father was assassinated. By the age of 22 he had an army of 30,000 foot soldiers and 5,000 cavalrymen under his command. At this age, many men would be lucky to own a piece of land or some sort of ownership.

Alexander’s first engagement was against the Persians at the Granicus River in modern day Turkey. He defeated the Persian’s vast army. The next Autumn the second major encounter against the Persians took place at Issus, in the south eastern corner of Asia Minor. Persian King Darius III had amassed an army of about half a million to wipe out the Greek threat. But the vicious and tactically superb attack mounted by Alexander routed the Persians, despite being outnumbered about 13 to 1. How can this individual become even more impressive you may ask?

            After an eight year campaign Alexander was now ruler of a massive empire. He was keen to push further west but his men were weary and intent on returning to their families. Reluctantly he complied with their wishes. Alexander was a caring military leader. He would visit his men after the battle, examining their wounds and praising them for their valiant efforts. What a nice guy! He would also arrange extravagant funerals for the fallen. He would arrange games and contests for his men. The affection for their leader was what galvanized his troops.

Returning to Babylon Alexander assumed the role he had coveted for so long – The great Conqueror. Eventually, however, he gave way to a immoral lifestyle of excessive drinking. He also gave way to fits of rage and paranoid suspicion. One night he even murdered his closest associate, Clitus, in a fit of rage. Every great Greek individual has their slight downfall though. This act was to haunt for the remainder of his short life.

In June, 332 B.C.E Alexander fell victim to malarial fever. He never recovered. The man who no man could defeat died on June 13, 323 B.C.E. He was just 32 years and 8 months old. “A tomb now suffices him for whom the whole world was not sufficient.” ~ Alexander

          

 Why was he Great?

I will summarize this part for readers in points:

  • By the age of 22 was crowned a Pharaoh, and to the Egyptians was considered a god.
  • Was the son of King Phillip, another great conqueror.
  • For three years was under the teachings of Aristotle.
  • He was always on the front line directing the attacks.
  • He was undefeated on the battle field.
  • Every time he defeated an army and captured a city, he would eventually set them free, and if they practiced a different religion he would let them continue doing so freely.
  • Was a fair leader who could have easily sat around and ruled 1 or 2 cities, but instead attempted in conquering the world.
  • Facilitated an enormous change in our world. 

In conclusion, Alexander’s legacy leaves behind many important lessons in life. It is important to set goals in your life, but you must take the proper steps to ensure the achievement of those goals. Do not put any limits on your abilities. When times get rough and it seems like there is no way that you can make it, be strong, challenge yourself, and don’t give up! Once you begin to achieve your goals, make sure that you respect everyone you come across. It’s better to have people on your side–it makes things easier. And above all be confident in yourself. Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young. You can be a leader no matter how old you are. Alexander began working toward his goals at a young age. With hard work, respect for people, and a drive to succeed, you can meet any goal you put your mind to!

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