Roxane's View of Alexander (Katie Kessler)

Today, I saw the light leave the eyes of a great man. I felt his cold hand in my warm on, and realized that I just saw the end of an empire. Such a great man, full of courage and military genius. He led his brothers into war and convinced them to keep fighting for over ten years. Considering all of the challenges the military faced, including weather (sandstorms, snowstorms, heat, and cold, to name a few) and the severe homesickness that comes with being away for so long, that was a great achievement. Only someone greatly revered by his soldiers with an uncanny ability to rally their spirits could convince them to follow him like a god. The greatest aspect of his military expertise, though, was probably his impeccable timing and great phalanxes, which he used time after time to break past the enemy. For example, he broke past the Persians on the river Granicus using his infantry phalanx to distract the army in the front, and then had the cavalry break through the back. Nothing in this day is better than a great military leader, and Alexander was the best.
In addition to his military prowess, his determination is also so admirable. Lesser men would have been satisfied with just conquering Macedonia or Egypt, but Alexander’s dreams were as big as the sky, and he was determined to satisfy them. If he wanted something- or someone in the case of Darius III- it was only a matter of time before he got it. When the Macedonian chased Darius (almost halfheartedly), it wasn't all consuming, even though he wanted him dead badly. When he ran out of reach in 331 BC, Alexander simply turned away to conquer Persia, and came back for Darius the next year. The only thing that could keep Alexander from his dreams was death.

Alexander, in the same way he wasn't afraid to suddenly take me as his first wife at such an old age (29), wasn't afraid to blend his society into my former one, as well as every other place he conquered. But sometimes I wonder if that was really a good idea. Now that he is gone, I can feel the empire splitting again. Although I’m glad that he wasn't too keen on the idea of forcing all of his beliefs on everyone else, I feel that his empire isn't connected enough to survive long after this.  Yes, there are some things he changed, like putting democracy in the cities the more voluntary cities and creating and spreading a common form of Greek (koine). But there is so much diversity between cities that I'm not sure how they can simply coexist, much less be one empire. While his acceptance for other cultures was great, now that he is no longer with us, there will probably be a rift in his former domain. You need similarities to keep an empire together, and they are just not there. There are different interests (the arts, war, etc.), different laws, and different lifestyles. With Alexander's passing, I feel that a power struggle will commence, but maybe I can secure some power for his unborn son. 

Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan were both great conquerors in history, with a mutual aptitude for military strategy and acceptance. Genghis Khan was a Mongol leader in the later 12th and early 13th centuries who created the largest-spanning contiguous empire in history. Like Alexander, Genghis had worked out a  brilliant military formation and tactics: he his men in a system of tens, with groups of tens, hundreds, thousands, and ten thousands. As far as tactics go, he would often feign defeat, only to have his men attack the enemy again. Another similarity the two great men have is the way they treat their conquered empires. Both were very tolerant: Alexander was known for accepting new cultures and blending those with the old ones, whereas Genghis was known for his religious tolerance. He was not, as was common of the day, harsh to those who did not share his beliefs, but was instead tolerant to them. He even seemed curious of Daoism, even though he practicing  Mongolian Shamanism. Genghis Khan, despite all of these great qualities, is often viewed in a negative light because of his seemingly harsh war tactics. He is thought of as a barbarian known for his brutal ways, which, though true, is not the only legacy he should leave. Both Khan and Alexander were great military leaders able to diligently conquer large masses of land in short time spans, and worthy of the title "Great".

Sources:
Beck, Roger B., Linda Black, Larry S. Krieger, Phillip C. Naylor, and Dahia Ibo Shabaka. Holt McDougal World History. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, 2012. 142-45. eBook. <http://my.hrw.com/tabnav/controller.jsp?isbn=9780547521084>.
Holt, Frank L. "Alexander The Great's Little Star." History Today 38.9 (Sept. 1988): 31.History Study Center. Web. 24 Sept. 2013.
Miller, Helen Hill. Bridge to Asia: The Greeks in the Eastern Mediterranean. 1st ed. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1967. 199-224. Print.
Reynolds, Clark G. "Alexander the Great." Great Lives from History: The Ancient World, Prehistory to 476 c.e.. Ed. Christina A. Salowey. 2 vols. Salem Press, 2008. Salem History Web. 23 Sep. 2013.
Rossabi, Morris. The Mongols in World History. Columbia University, n.d. Web. 26 Sep 2013. <http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/mongols/index.html>.
Rotari, Pietro. Alexander the Great and Roxane. N.d. Painting. Alexander the Great and Roxane, Italy. Web. 26 Sep 2013. <http://www.arthermitage.org/Pietro-Rotari/Alexander-the-Great-and-Roxane.html>.

Coleman Martinson:

Questions 1 & 2:

An old journal I found.

During the past 4 years, I, an archaeologists  have found many diaries and personal writings about many of the soldiers who were under the command of the great Alexander. Many of their writings answer some of the key questions on why Alexander, from Macedonia, was such a great and powerful leader. Here is one writing entry from a twenty year old male who spent most of his military career under the rule of Alexander the Great. I have had an expert translate as close as possible to modern day prose:

King Philip II died last month, his new son, Alexander, has taken over. He’s the youngest king ever, which concerns me at the age of 20. I have heard he’s strong minded and courageous, but that’s only a rumor. He just told us we are going to fight in Persia. I’m very excited.

*4 years later by same writer*

A map of Macedonia during its peak when Alexander the Great was under rule

nonstop, never letting us see our wives and children. Although I am very excited about growing and expanding Macedonia, and getting our name out there, I just want to see my family.We just won the battles in Persia, and I am excited about going home finally to see my family and kids. However, Alexander has other plans for us. We are continuing to keep on marching further east away from home. Not only is it exhausting physically having to walk so far with little to no rest in between stops, but also mentally. Whenever we go to a new place or culture, Alexander makes us learn and know the culture to pass it around to other places. Many people, including myself, are all confused about many of the cultures. Right as we learn a new one, their is another one to learn and study. We all are so confused. Last week, we found a city along the Nile delta which combines all the cultures we have learned so far. Alexander calls this place Alexandria. His goal so far is to unite all the lands east of Greece and Macedonia, which makes since, but for us the soldiers, we all are very confused when trying to learn and understand a new culture.

People are starting to call him “Alexander the Great” in Macedonia, but as his soldier, I strongly disagree. He makes us, his soldiers, March thousands of miles 

One of the many reason why I think Alexander the Great is "great" is he did not have as advanced technology as we do today. Although he did have the most advanced technology for his time, his army did not have guns, just swords and sharpened sticks. Also why I think he is so great is because he controlled nearly half the world at that time.

Question 3:

Alexander the Great and Napoleon Bonaparte

There are many people and figures throughout the past who were very powerful. Both Alexander the Great and Napoleon Bonaparte are considered to be one of the greatest military leaders of all time. Napoleon Bonaparte was the Frances Emperor during the time of 1804 to 1815. He rose to power during the late stages of the French Revolution. Napoleon is known for his vigorous achievements and his perseverance to never give up. During his Rule, Napoleon was deported and exiled from France twice, always finding a way to return to power. Alexander the Great reminds me of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Just like Napoleon, Alexander had a great need for power. Both of them tried, and failed, to be the ruler of all parts of the world. Napoleon stopped at nothing to try and make France a bigger and better nation, so did Alexander except with Macedonia. The two should both be considered "great" when defining the accomplishments they made in such little time and with not as advanced technology as we have today.

Napoleon Bonaparte

Alexander the "Great"

Works Cited

Clode, George. “Alexander The Great- Greatest Leader of all time?” Military History Monthly. 10 October 12. Web. 19 September 2013. <http://www.militaryhistory.org/intel/alexander-the-great.htm>

Robinson, Charles. Ancient Greece. New York. Franklin Watts. 1984. Print. Pages 52- 56

Us History. Ancient Civilization Online Textbook. Alexander the Great. 2008. Web. September 18, 2013. <http://www.ushistory.org/civ/5g.asp>

      Worthington, Ian. How “Great” was Alexander?. 1999. Page 1. Web. September 18, 2013. <http://www.utexas.edu/courses/citylife/readings/great1.html>

BBC, . N.p.. Web. 26 Sep 2013. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/bonaparte_napoleon.shtml>.

Unknown 2, . N.p.. Web. 26 Sep 2013. <http://www.history.com/topics/napoleon>.

Images
Artlip, Steven. "old book". Photograph. March, 2008. Platform Nation. web. 26 sep 2013.

Popovic, John. "Alexander the Greats map". Drawing. 2002. Alexander the Great. Web. 26 Sep 2013.

Hooper, David. "Statue of Alexander the Great". Picture. April 2009. Flickr. Web. 26 Sep 2013.

Leeming, Stewart.  "Napoleon". Picture. September 2011. History Onyx. Web. 26 Sep 2013.

Emily's Post

Thomas' 3rd Question anwser

Alexander the great and Genghis khan are very similar to each other. They were both world conquers and united their countries. Genghis khan was a Chinese’s conqueror. He was the leader of the central Asian plateau, which was north of china. The area was divided into several tribes. The tribes were naimens, merkets, tatars, Khamag mogels, keraits. Genghis khan and Alexander the great were both trying to accomplish the same kind of goals. Alexander the great was trying to unite all Greece and Genghis Khan was trying to bring all of the tribes together. Both also had very strong army’s, each army was over 50,000 soldiers. Genghis khan had 6 tribes combined to his army.

 . N.p.. Web. 26 Sep 2013. <http://fieldmuseum.org/happening/exhibits/genghis-khan>.


Bawden, C.. N.p.. Web. 26 Sep 2013. <http://www.history.com/topics/genghis-khan>.

Thomas' post

 Questions 1 and 2

Alexander has been taking good care of all of us very well. Everything has been much better ever since he took over Phillip II’s place. Our kingdom has become very powerful. He has been scene great by everyone forever. He was a young 20 years old when he became leader. He was taught geography, science, and literature by Aristotle. He is now a ruthless leader. His first conquest was an attack on Thessaly, which restored the Macedonian rule. The attack also solidified his father’s treaty to unite Greece. Just a couple of years ago he defeated the Thracian's penetrating to the Danube River. Just a couple of days ago I overheard some soldiers talking about how he has started the war against Persia. He has the largest army to use in the war. He has a total of 48,500 soldiers. Aristotle had taught Alexander to appreciate Greece’s culture. He was going to use terror and kindness to conquer his empire. He said if anyone resisted that he would burn their town down and that all of the people would be sold into slavery. He also pointed out if the city state surrendered that he would let them keep their government and Alexander would rebuild their damaged property.

. N.p.. Web. 26 Sep 2013.<http://www.kingofmacedon.net/page.html>.

historyofmacedonia.org, . N.p.. Web. 20 Sep 2013. <http://www.historyofmacedonia.org/AncientMacedonia/AlexandertheGreat.html>.

Nina Grigorian's Post

     Question 1           

                    I fought under a man named Alexander the Great for a long time. One time he pushed us for more than 11 years, it was mentally and
      physically exhausting, and we finally gave up, but

The phalanx

      it was for the better of our empire. He was raised 
     by his father, King Phillip II, and was trained by three of  the greatest philosophers (Socrates, Aristotle, and Plato). He great because of his confidence level,his dad always telling him he was godlike, I think he is more impressive since he got Macedonia and a whole empire and age 20, and continued to expand it to achieve his father’s goals. He was  The only issue us soldiers had with him was that he pushed us to our limit. For 11 years we waked, fought, and spread the different cultures by foot. After we would win a battle, we would expand the Hellenistic culture along. The reason that worked was because of our phalanx. During fights, we walked in a 16x16 arrangement and with long and heavy pipes. We were like a wall. It was a good idea King Phillip II had, and it was smart that Alexander kept it that way. Alexander was in fact great, in the eyes of his father from a young age, and to everyone in the new Alexandria, despite the lives he cause. 

     

The Alexandrian empire we fought hard for  

 Question 2

                      Although it was a hard task to do, I am not sure I like what Alexander did with the cultures. He formed the Hellenistic culture by blending the cultures of where we fought. I do not think it is right how he mixed the Greek, Persian, Egyptian, and Indian cultures and beliefs. For now, I agree, it has aided Alexandria but it will not last for long. Already do I see people wanting to believe what they want, and not have all these other ideas mixed in. Besides not wanting to believe it, it is also hard to understand. It has not cause any disputes yet, but I know it will, and I do not want to fight anything since I don’t agree with the concept in the first place. 

    

Question 3 

           Martin Luther King Jr. was another great person who made a difference. Just like Alexander carried out the goals of his father, MLK Jr. carried out the goals and dreams of African Americans. To have the courage MLK Jr. did is a greater characteristic that the confidence of Alexander. They both also knew what they were doing was a risky thing to get into. Alexander kept going into battles and Martin Luther King Jr. new that what he was saying was controversial. Today, and I would agree, many would say that what Martin Luther King Jr. did was a greater task than that of Alexander. I believe time has changed that, because in the last couple of decades, the common fights are not over land, but about government and recently race. I believe it mainly is because of the cause that people would prefer Martin Luther King Jr. over Alexander III. What Alexander did was not completely necessary, taking lives of others for revenge and to accomplish his father’s goals. MLK Jr. did what he had to do for the rights of African Americas and how they were being treated. Martin Luther King Jr. is the real “great.”

Martin Luther King Jr

        

        Alexander III of Macedonia

“Alexander the Great Alexander of Macedonia Biography” N.p.  Web. 17. Sept. 2013.

<http://www.historyofmacedonia.org/>

“5g. Alexander the Great.” Ancient Civilizations. Independence Hall Association in Philadelphia, N.p. Web. <http://www.ushistory.org/civ/5g.asp>

Leslie , Adkins, and Roy Adkins A. . Handbook to Life in Ancient Greece. New York: Facts on File, 1997. Print.

“How ‘Great’ Was Alexander?” N.p. Web. 1997

<http://www.utexas.edu/courses/citylife/readings/great1.html>

Alexander the Great, K.. N.p.. Web. 24 Sep 2013.

<http://wso.williams.edu/~junterek/persia.htm>.

“The Macedonian Phalanx N.p.  Web. 25. Sept. 2013.

<http://scottthong.wordpress.com/2007/05/21/the-macedonian-phalanx>.

Moore, R.. N.p.. Web. 26 Sep 2013. 

<http://www.russellmoore.com/2013/01/17/how-martin-luther-king-jr-overcame-christian-white-supremacy/>

Kaisey's answers

Alexandria

I think that King Alexander is a great leader. He was able to conquer and control the whole Asian area as well as blend the diverse cultures of Egyptian, Persian, and Indian with the already distinguished Macedonian and Greek cultures. However, he has his flaws, including his temper and desire for revenge. Alexander wants revenge on the Persian King, Darius. To convince us to do his will, he reminded us about when the Persians invaded in 490 BCE. This reason is legitimate though, considering the Persians were relentless and caused many deaths. However, this desire lead us to successfully conquer Persia. He has helped our empire by making us a threat, instead of a looked over like we were before he built our wonderful army. Before we became a 'mean fighting machine', Greek even thought of us as uncivilized because we didn't really have any philosophers, sculptures, or writers. But thanks to Alexander and his father Philip II, now we no longer have that problem. Alexander is now king over all of these areas including Greece, India, Persia, and Asia. He showed them up- with the help of us soldiers. It was not without great sacrifice and loss though. I've been away from my family for a very long time, and I miss them. But now we also have this capital of culture, called Alexandria, and it is the result of all of the blended cultures. From this advancement, we've grown and been able to trade with people from all over the Mediterranean, create a magnificent library of literature to learn from, as well as make advancements in astronomy, mathematics, physics, science, philosophy, and art. He has helped our empire expand and become a beautiful, flourishing place to live and learn.

King Alexander the Great

Hitler was also considered great by many people. He had a unique power of leadership and persuasion, considering his speeches and propaganda started movements and made people act on his ideas. Alexander had this same power- he was able to make his army rally against Persia by filling them with hate for the empire. Hitler did the same thing with his Nazi party. They idolized him and therefore were willing to do anything for him. The Nazi party under his command became the largest political party in Germany at one point. Hitler was even named ‘Man of the Year’ in Times Magazine in 1938. However, time has changed this view that Hitler was a good man. Now most people view him as a criminal. There is no way that any moral human could overlook the millions of Jews that Hitler Ruthlessly slaughtered in his conquest to ‘cleanse the German race’. Alexander also had to take many lives in order to get the results that he wanted. Both of these figures caused many deaths, but Alexander’s conquer ended with a constructive product where as Hitler’s ended with just more deaths. Both of theses leaders, King Alexander and Adolf Hitler, were both great leaders in their own sense, and they will be remembered for their actions, good or bad.

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