Photo of Alexander the Great
The Walters Art Gallery has a wide range of arts ranging from different personalities of the world. An art gallery stores many things about the different cultures of people. The arts were very many and therefore I was able to settle on the above art of Alexander the Great. Alexander the Great was born in 356 BC in the city of Pella, Macedonia. He was the son of King Philip II and Queen Olympias. Alexander is still considered a military genius of all time in history. He possessed military qualities like those of Napoleon Bonaparte of France and Julius Caesar of Italy. During his childhood life, he closely watched his father as he transformed Macedonia to a great state. His father Philip was able to conquer many city states in Europe such as the Thrace, Greece. Alexander at the tender age of 12 years was able to show some character of bravery. He was able to tame Bucephalus that was considered an unruly horse. This horse could not be ridden by many people as it devoured the flesh of those who tried to ride on it. At the age of 13, his father King Philip hired Aristotle to tutor Alexander. He was taught literature and rhetoric which invoked the interest of studying science that later became of great impact to the life of Alexander. After the demise of his father, Alexander was made the king of Macedonia. He jointly worked with the army to suppress their enemies. He extended his military conquest to Egypt and Persian. Alexander died at the age of 32 after suffering from malaria (Bosworth 37). The essay will try to outline on the significance of Alexander the Great’s art and my personal reflections on the art.
The art of Alexander the Great is of great significance in the life of the modern society. The art makes Alexander to be recognized as a powerful military king. From this, people are able to connect what they read about him in the books of history. In the history of mankind, individuals have been inspired by this captivating art. His art is of great significance in education as it makes education livelier. A student can be able to connect the present from the past through this art. Alexander the Great portrayed the kind of rule that was considered as being god-like king who was worshipped (Freeman 78). This art, therefore, gives a connection to the kind of life that king Alexander lived during his reign. The art is used to portray what King Alexander was. He is considered to be a darling of arts during his leadership. Personally he liked artworks of his image to be made. From these arts, he was able to express the status of being a hero. This art is important in instilling brave character trait to the modern society (Freeman 91). A learner is able to learn useful lessons that can inspire and impact the learner positively in matters of education.
The art gives Alexander his real character as the art is made out of bronze. This medal gives him some excellence of valuing precious metal as he depicts to us. He was characterized as a god-like king who was worshipped by his subjects. This art is significant in explaining the kind of life that kings do enjoy even presently. Alexander’s arts still continue to appear in the society as a way of remembering him. People are able to know the prestigious life that Alexander the Great lived (Bosworth 33). The art equally recognizes how Alexander was a powerful leader in history which makes him to be recognized like other leaders like Caesar, Constantine and Napoleon Bonaparte. The image is equally important in keeping the history of the past which is passed to other generations (Freeman 56).
I personally find this art as being very essential particularly when one is studying about Alexander the Great. This art gives one an insight of how Alexander looked like in his time. Alexander portrayed heroic characters that should be copied in the modern society. He was able to help Macedonia to conquer many city-states. Although, he was young he was able to lead a large army of soldiers that helped to counter external and internal aggressions. This becomes a motivation to the youths to who will want to seek different leadership positions. They are made to understand that age is not an issue when it comes to leading people in the society. I totally agree that Alexander becomes more appealing to the youths. He was able to accomplish many things within a short time. This spirit of aggressiveness should be exhibited in the modern society to encourage the youths to work tirelessly.
I think it is important for a society to keep hold of heroes who have died. This kind of arts helps the society to accept and appreciate the fallen heroes. The art tries to preserve these heroes in this form. Alexander was a real hero who was able to accomplish a lot of things within a short time he lived. This art, therefore, helps people on the modern society to emulate the different heroes like Alexander. I think from this perspective, people in the modern society will be able to incorporate these heroism tendencies in different aspects of life like business, politics, human right activists, soldiers among other professions.
I equally agree that Alexander had a captivating reputation that enabled him to earn respect from his subjects. It is evident that he was worshipped by his subjects he ruled. This kind of reputation is a trend that should exist in our society. A good character is needed to enable one earn a lot of respect. I also agree that Alexander the Great was a good king who could earn a great following during his tenure in leadership. I think the kind of legacy he left is what makes his art to be kept in museums as a way of remembering him. A good reputation is essential in any leadership and control of subjects in the modern society. Arts like this help us to draw lessons that are educative in the lives of many people. This art, therefore, helps us to appreciate leaders in the modern society. Alexander the Great is among the leaders of all time in the modern society and draws a lot of relevance in education sector.
I think Alexander the Great was kind of leader who always wanted to do things the way they were initially done. Alexander always did like his father did during his reign. According to Heaney, he states clearly in his poem: "By God, the old man could handle a spade. Just like his old man". This is a clear indication that Alexander ruled his subjects like his father. I think the same should happen in the modern society. Some rulers who come into power normally forget their earlier leaders and introduce policies that are harsh to the subjects. A leader should be willing to take good care of his subjects. Despotic rule and corruption should not be allowed in the society (Bosworth 156). Alexander also tried to help his father King Philip to rule with a lot of ease. While his father was away, he could take control of the people and give them the best leadership. The poem "Digging" by Heaney states that between his fingers a pen rests and he will dig with it. This claim is true according to Alexander as here tried to help his father by exhibiting rare traits like being brave, unlike his subjects. For instance, he was able to tame Bucephalus which was considered as an unruly horse which could not be ridden by anyone as it devoured the flesh of those who tried to ride it.
Works Cited
Bosworth, A. B. Conquest and Empire: The Reign of Alexander the Great. London: Cambridge University Press, 2010.reprint
Freeman, Philip. Alexander the Great. New York: Simon and Schuste, 2011.reprint
