Alexander the Great Essay -- essays research papers

Alexander was born in July 356 B.C. to Philip II and his third wife, Olympias. The parents were far from a happy couple, and Alexander was raised primarily under the influence of his mother. At the age of thirteen, he was sent to pick up with Aristotlean education that was for the most part formal. Aristotle promoted the belief that non-Greeks were naturally slaves, hence encouraging the princes thirst for conquest. Ultimately, however, Alexander would reject this belief, at least implicitly, as he attempted to cooperate with the Persians even as he subjugated them. reversive to Macedonia after three years, Alexander curtly had the opportunity to prove his potency in battle, as he subdued rebellions and contributed to his fathers famous victory over Athens and Thebes at Chaeronea. But when Philip divorced Olympias and married Cleopatra, Alexander began to panic that his father was looking for a new heir, and the father and son had a falling out. Their dispute was shortly reso lved, but both remained suspicious of the other. Indeed, Philip was soon assassinated by a guard who presumably had a individualized grievance, though Alexander and his mother are traditionally thought to piddle played some kind of role in Philips death.Alexander thus succeeded to the throne and began the inevitable dynastic purging of enemies. At the same time, he had to force the other Greek city-states to acknowledge his authority as Hegemon of the definitive League, which Philip had established. In doing so,...