Men come and go. It is only a few who leave behind a legacy for the future to ponder and act. They live a valuable exemplary life worth remembering throughout the human civilization for what they achieved against what they had. Alexander was one such king who left behind a legacy, which reflects human achievements in a scale never accomplished before. Alexander is an ideal inspiration for the contemporary youth leaders of today. His life proves the importance of knowledge in diverse spheres, character, planning and management and what the combination of all these could achieve. Today history records Alexander’s feats as incomparable. He is therefore universally accepted as ‘Alexander the Great’.
Alexander also known as Alexander III the Great was born in 356 B.C, at a time his father Philip was establishing himself as the ruler of Macedonia. His mother Olympia, a princess of the nearby kingdom of Epirus, was also a woman with passion and personality. Philip arranged Aristotle as Alexander’s teacher. Aristotle was a most noted philosopher who instilled many interests and skills in Alexander, including an interest for medicine. Alexander respected Aristotle and his influences upon him. He used to say that it was because of his father that he lived, and it was because of his teacher that he lived nobly.
The courage and brilliance of Alexander was remarkable even in his youth. Once a horse dealer Philonicus brought a horse to sell to Phillip. The horse was however too wild to be handled and would not permit any of his attendants to ride him. Philips ordered the horse to be taken away as it was too wild. At that Alexander got up from the crowd, “What a fine horse they are losing, only because they are cowardly of handling him”. When Philips challenged him, Alexander ran to the horse and grabbed the rein. Alexander noticed that the horse was scarred by its own shadow darting before him. He managed to turn the horse a little, then quickly mounted him and rode gracefully. His father seeing him was proud and kissing him on his head said, “Son, find a kingdom to match you. Macedonia cannot contain you”. Philip had also observed that Alexander was stubborn by nature and would resist any coercion and that only reason could persuade him than commanding him.
Even at the age of sixteen Alexander saw his first victory. Due to his father’s absence, he led an army to conquer the revolting Thracian tribe, and named the captured capital as Alexandropolis after himself. Two years later he established Philip’s rule over Greece through the battle of Chaeronea. After securing the throne in Macedonia he headed south where there was a rebellion. After reinforcing the Greek alliance formed by Philip and making himself accepted as its leader, he turned northwards and forced Thrace and Illyria into submission. Alexander deployed an effective combination of the shield bearers, cavalry and pikeman in this battle even though he was only 18 years.
After he was firmly established in Greece, Alexander set out on a grand and remarkable invasion of the Persian Empire. The invasion spree continued with successful guerrilla campaign in Afghanistan and Northern Iran, and fighting against war elephants in India. In the next eight years, as a king and commander, with the attributes of a politician, scholar and explorer, Alexander led his army into one of the biggest invasions in recorded human history leading his army on an 11,000 mile epic invasion. Alexander created an empire across three continents, extending across two million square miles. His empire stretched from Greece in the west, Danube in the north, Egypt in the south and Indian Punjab in the east.
In all battles Alexander led from the front, directing the attack. He fought in the thick of the battle despite broken bones and vital wounds. He had a specific goal of conquering the entire world and believed in himself despite all obstacles and distractions. While he maintained a self respect for himself, he also respected anyone he came in contact with. This included his own army and the people of the cities he conquered. This respect was important for people trusting him and enemies fearing him.
Without a single defeat, Alexander led his army even against the overwhelming odds. The young King of Macedonia, was soon the leader of the Greeks, overlord of the Asia Minor and the Pharaoh of Egypt. With a troop that occasionally exceeded 40,000, Alexander strengthened his troops by inducting conquered cultures into his army. This strategy was later adopted by the Roman and the British. Alexander founded over 70 cities in the course of his eight year invasion which played a large a role in the spread of Hellenic culture and language across the empire.
His moral standing, particularly among his enemies is evident from his confrontation with the Persian forces. During the Battle of Issus, in November 333 B.C, between Darius and Alexander, the eunuch who guarded Darius’ wife ran to Darius to meet him. Darius enquired if his mother, wife and children were alive. He replied that they were all alive and also held their royal titles like before. Darius next asked whether his wife was faithful to him and whether Alexander had violated her by force. To this the eunuch replied that his wife was just as he had left her and that Alexander was “the most noble and restrained of all men”. To this Darius prayed to his God Zeus Basileus, “If you think I should no longer be a king, then hand over rule to none but Alexander”. Thus Alexander’s self restraint won admiration even from his enemies.
Alexander’s superhuman perspective is not a modern phenomenon. He was treated with a God-like reverence throughout his life. His genius for integrating logistics in every aspect of military strategy and tactics enabled him to become a world conqueror. He received strategic instructions and tactics from his father apart from private tutoring by Aristotle. Philip and Aristotle had an incredible hatred of the Persians whom they referred to as barbarians. But Alexander rose above the negative legacy handed to him by his father and mentor by displaying courtesy and liberty to conquered people which included the Persians. This aspect of his policy provided the vital logistics support across the vast empire under his control. Alexander considered the logistics associated with every aspects of battle including planning of route. After defeating the Persians at the Gracicus River, he headed to Sardis. But as the direct route had a mountainous domain, Alexander opted for a more roundabout route. This approach was due to logistics requirements and its effect on the fighting ability of the army.
Alexander’s philosophy was not of revenge or destructive conquest, but control and ownership based conquest. It is therefore no surprise that the conquered people preferred to live under the rule of Alexander than some other conqueror. The organization of his army was a legacy model developed by Philip. Apart from secretariat, the second in command, he also had keepers of the diary, keepers of the King’s plans, historians and surveyors. His staff also included specialists and scientists who were available to counsel. These special talents in the army truly made it a formidable force.
In 325 BC his soldiers refused to go any further for the first time in 13 years which reflected the loyalty he inspired, Alexander had his will enforced upon the army and planned to move further. He however died of fever in Babylon in June 323 BC, even when he was only 32. Today Alexander is considered one of the greatest military geniuses of all times. He remained a source of inspiration for the later conquerors like Hannibal the Carthaginian and Caesar and Napoleon.
Alexander leaves behind a legacy of important life lessons. It reminds one of the needs to set goals and work towards achieving them. Alexander’s life and conquests also show how personal characteristics and qualities can make a big impact around an individual. Courage with the ability to judge better, despite the teaching you receive is an indication that you have transcended your elders. Above all, success is not age dependent and victory and glory can reach even the young who have what it takes.
Alexander was among the great leaders of the world who were able to motivate people to create their own goals, which in turn challenge them to perform better. Even though, he was not aware of the methods to reach the goals, he was capable of creating a suitable environment where people can challenge, innovate and experiment things in a unique way.
Alexander’s leadership style speculates a strong belief that any person with strong determination and capability can accomplish things efficiently. When Alexander was in his early stages of his career, he used to pay any cost for achieving his goal of conquering the world. He was always concerned about practical issues and aware that success comes only with cost, determination and capability.
Alexander’s life continues to be of great relevance to the twenty first century, despite there being hardly any similarity to life and living then and now.
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