Alexander Alexander

Plutarch’s Life of Alexander describes him as being as marvelous as he could possibly be. He had great talents that he discovered while he was still young. Plutarch also discusses the messages that were delievered to Philip, “ To Philip, however, who had just taken Potidaea, there came three messages at the same time: the first that Parmenio had conquered the Illyrians in a great battle, the second that his race-horse had won a victory at the Olympic games, while a third announced the birth of Alexander.” Because good fortune aligned with the birth of his son his hopes for true success grew higher. It was by these three things that he declared he will also be victorious. Alexander is also seen doing great things such as taming the horse that no one had previously been able to control. Plutarch describes how, “when he saw that the horse was rid of the fear that had beset him, and was impatient for the course, he gave him his head, and at last urged him on with sterner tone and thrust of foot. Philip and his company were speechless with anxiety at first; but when Alexander made the turn in proper fashion and came back to them proud and exultant, all the rest broke into loud cries, but his father, as we are told, actually shed tears of joy”. This shows that Alexander was a confident and proud man. Although, it was risky to try to tame an animal in front of so many people in such a situation, he accepted the challenge and rose to the occassion. His father kissed him just to say that he should seek a kingdom to rule because Macedonia has no room for him. Knowing these types of things about Alexander’s past make his actions more understandable.

Plutarch describes Alexander as being a master of his body. He indulged in bodily pleasures in moderation. He also says that this restraint, “kept his spirit serious and lofty in advance of his years.”Alexander instituted many contest. He wished only to compete with other kings.

Alexander and Cyrus have many similarities and differences. They both have someone that they admire and they are both admired. For example, Lysippus made many statues of Alexander. Many after him tried to imitate and pose as he did. People were even in love with his smell, “Moreover, that a very pleasant odour exhaled from his skin and that there was a fragrance about his mouth and all his flesh, so that his garments were filled with it, this we have read in the Memoirs of Aristoxenus.” Plutarch says that this may be due to the tempermeant of his body. He says quite simply that, “And in Alexander’s case, it was the heat of his body, as it would seem, which made him prone to drink, and choleric.” He also likes to have people honor his achievements. The Chariots at Olympia, for instance were engraved in his honor.

From a young age they were both special. Plutarch says, “Thus it was that at the age of twenty years Alexander received the kingdom, which was exposed to great jealousies, dire hatreds, and dangers on every hand.”

Alexander has quite a few stories in his life that seem highly implausible. One unlikely story is that the temple of Artemis was burnt the same day of his birth. They say that the temple was burnt because the goddess was busy bringing Alexander into the world. Its a bit unbelievable that only sixteen years old he was able to, “subdued the rebellious Maedi, and after taking their city, drove out the Barbarians, settled there a mixed population, and named the city Alexandropolis.” It takes a man of incredible strength to things like do things likes drive out an entire group of barbarians and immediately name himself as being in charge. It takes great wisdom to have a large group of followers among the people. In fact, not only did he acquire a large group of followers but also people that honored him. Although, this sounds like a great story it is unlikely.

Alexander would qualify to be a candidate for the Dean.